Series-One Z sells for Record Breaking $310,00 USD

Posted January 30, 20205 yr

As far as I can tell, this is a new record for the sale of an early-series Datsun 240z. This series one car more than doubled the selling price compared to other cars that we have seen sold on an auction site called Bring A Trailer. The final bidder placed a whopping $310,000 US dollars on the table and walks away with a very nice example of this classic Z.

The seller is no-doubt a very happy person and BAT pulls in their max commission of $5,000 (plus listing fees) to help sell this record-breaking car. Not a bad way to buy a car while standing in line at the grocery store or waiting for your plane to taxi down the runway.

This Z is a very nice example of an early series Z with a green paint job and butterscotch interior. We've captured the images in a link below for documentation purposes. If you're looking for some image samples for your project, this should no-doubt be a great place to find them.

Thanks to our friends over at Bring A Trailer, I've documented the sale here (in case the original ad goes away). The details are below, and also don't forget to visit our discussion thread to see what other members have to say about this car.

Here's a link to our gallery documenting this vehicle:

---------------- Original BAT Ad Description - Courtesy of Bring A Trailer ---------------

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This 1971 Datsun 240Z was built in May of 1970 and delivered new to Munson Datsuns of Marion, Indiana. Dealership owner James Munson retained the car and later gave it to his son, Ronald Munson, as a dental school graduation present. The vehicle was driven infrequently over the years and was stored first in the dealership showroom and later at the Munson family home. Dr. Munson passed away in May 2019, and a few months later his dental practice and 240Z were purchased by a friend and fellow dentist. Finished in Racing Green over brown vinyl, the car retains its original 2.4L inline-six and now shows just 21,750 miles. The selling dealer acquired it in December 2019 and has since adjusted the carburetors, changed the oil, mounted new tires, and performed detailing. This Series I 240Z is offered in Seekonk, Massachusetts with its original window sticker, an extra set of period wheels, additional spares, and a clean Indiana title.

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The unibody is finished in Racing Green (907) and wears white rocker stripes. Series I cars feature 240Z badging on the C-pillars, as well as horizontal vents in the rear hatch. A rear defroster was optioned new and features Series I-only vertical heating elements. Paint meter readings taken by the selling dealer are said to show measurements of between 2-5 mil. The exterior was also detailed by the seller, but the finish was not compounded or sanded.

Factory 14″ steel wheels are dressed with 1972 hubcaps and wear new 175-series Vredestein Sprint Classic tires. The backs of the wheels were powder coated by the Munsons. Gallery photos show that one wheel is date stamped from 1969, while the other three were manufactured in 1970. The included set of 14″ Western Wheel Turbine wheels was ordered through Munson Datsuns and used on the car until the seller’s acquisition. A video tour, including a discussion of the car’s history, is attached above.

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The cabin features brown vinyl upholstery, including textured inserts on the seats and door panels and diamond-patterned center tunnel covering. Z-branded mats line the floors, and aluminum sill plates feature the Datsun moniker. Protective plastic remains on the rear panels, seatbelts, and behind the door arm rests. The key number sticker is retained on the inside the glovebox door, as pictured in the gallery.

A factory three-spoke steering wheel frames the speedometer and tachometer, while auxiliary instrumentation in the center dash monitors water temperature, oil pressure, amperage, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows just 21,750 miles. The center stack includes heater controls and a signal-seeking Hitachi AM radio, which is connected to a powered antenna. A driving video can be viewed above.

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Black carpeting covers the rear cargo area, under which resides an aftermarket spare wheel wearing a Bridgestone Super Speed tire.

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The 2.4-liter OHC inline-six was rated for 150 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 146 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm when new. In December 2019 the seller adjusted the carburetors, replaced the fuel filter, gapped the spark plugs, and performed an oil change. The distributor has been converted to electronic ignition, and factory stickers in the engine bay can be seen in the gallery below.

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The L24 block is stamped 007463, which matches the engine numbers shown on the chassis plate and window sticker.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via a fully-synchronized four-speed manual gearbox, and the power braking system features discs up front and drums out back. Additional photos of the underside are included in the gallery, showing factory paint marks and the four-wheel independent suspension.

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The original window sticker lists the options, engine number, and a suggested retail price of $3,757. Owner’s manuals, registration history, removed parts, and a 240Z-branded bra are also included in the sale.

A video explaining the vehicle’s history and showing paint meter readings can be watched above. In preparation for this sale, the seller spoke with the vehicle’s original mechanic, Jim Mayo, who worked at Munson Datsun for 18 years and continued to service the car at the Munson home until 2019.