1970 Datsun 240Z - $31,299 (Scottsdale)

Check out the story of this oddball 240Z that is currently listed on the Scottsdale, AZ Craigslist, Caveat Emptor!

When the owner turned 16 he spent the money he saved up washing dishes to buy his first car, a 1972 240Z.  Unfortunately he crashed that car and ever since had always wanted another.  In 2005 he found a 240Z from a seller out of Chicago, bought it, and had it shipped to Scottsdale, AZ.  The car needed a lot of work both mechanically and cosmetically and you can see all that has been done over the past 17 years of owning it below.  So many new components with years of life to go!

What this car is:  An attempt at a faithful recreation of a late 1970/early 1971 240Z down to the correct stickers, radio, console, badges, air filter box, etc.  It is mechanically super sound having just completed a significant mechanical restoration of all the parts and systems listed below.  It drives great and is quick tight, and peppy.  It looks great and turns heads!

What this car isn’t:  A numbers matching original.  When the car was delivered to the owner from Chicago he examined the VIN numbers.  The dashboard VIN and the door jamb VIN were both matching HLS30-0003137.  However, the firewall VIN shows HLS30-0014160.  You will notice the hatchback does not have the vertical defrost lines you’d expect from a 1970/71 model year car.  In order to get the car titled the AZ DMV took the car into a special garage and did a level 2 inspection.  They physically removed both the dashboard and door jamb VIN plates and replaced it with a state issued VIN you see in the door.  The car also has an AZ emissions waiver.  Despite having the vent covers you’d expect from a 70/71 please know there are no hatchback vents, those covers/grills are cosmetic to match the look of a 70/71 Z.  The car does have the 70/71 plastic jack/equipment covers behind the seats and does not have the 72 and beyond compartments with lids between the seats and spare tire.  The owner doesn’t know when or why the original hatchback that would match the rest of the car was replaced along the way.

Everything works except:
• Radio – this is an original 1970 Z radio as we understand it.  I’ve no means to bench test it but was told it works when I bought it years ago.  It is not connected to the dashboard
• The heater fan doesn’t work.  It’s not clear if it’s simply the switch (can’t get it to move) or the fan motor or both.  All vent sliders work and move the vents but can’t get the fan to go.

The car recently completed a partial restoration by the esteemed Jeff Gordon at ZCS Auto Group on May 6, 2022.
Let me know if you have any questions or would like to come to see it!

John
I encrypted my number to avoid spam and bots.
(4-eight-zero) - 6-zero-zero - 59-one-two
 

Whats with the dual hatch struts?

On 5/25/2022 at 9:56 PM, Zpenman said:

Whats with the dual hatch struts?

Good eye! I didn't notice the dual struts in the picture. Perhaps the rear hatch and its 2 struts are from a 260Z or a 280Z? 

The seller also states that he glued on the plastic rear hatch vents on the car, and yes, they are fake! That's the first time I've ever seen anyone do that before.

Here's the real deal 6097.  Is it somebody on the forum?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-datsun-240z-85/

2 hours ago, Zed Head said:

Here's the real deal 6097.  Is it somebody on the forum?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-datsun-240z-85/

Very nice car! not that it would make any difference, but I think the wheels are Rota RB's, not RKR's.

Pretty car!

On 5/30/2022 at 3:01 PM, Zed Head said:

Here's the real deal 6097.  Is it somebody on the forum?

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-datsun-240z-85/

Watched this auction and was surprised bidding almost reached $60k. Yes, it has a low vin, and nice paint, but it’s missing alot.. Different head, seat coverings, alternator, hoses, most rubber bits, etc. 

Quite a few decent sounding parts for sale.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/d/steilacoom-datsun-280z-parts/7492230151.html

On 6/6/2022 at 5:18 PM, bluez said:

Watched this auction and was surprised bidding almost reached $60k. Yes, it has a low vin, and nice paint, but it’s missing alot.. Different head, seat coverings, alternator, hoses, most rubber bits, etc. 

It is a 240Z with strong demand and weak supply. In #1 Concours Condition they sell for over $125K, in #2 Concours Condition they sell for $90K+  This example would be a good #3 Condition example.  

 

Yes, it was missing the “near perfection” mark on several counts, that the fanatic perfectionists can demand and are willing to pay for. On the other hand $60K for an excellent (not perfect) Series I Datsun 240Z, running, driving and done;   for less money than it would take today to duplicate it, is a good value for the buyers in that price range.

10 hours ago, Reptoid Overlords said:

Quite a few decent sounding parts for sale.

https://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/pts/d/steilacoom-datsun-280z-parts/7492230151.html

Wonder why he is selling the engine, bumpers, and the aftermarket carbon fiber bumper?

4 minutes ago, Racer X said:

Wonder why he is selling the engine, bumpers, and the aftermarket carbon fiber bumper?

I wondered the same thing...I thought maybe the engine is getting tired but he said he's willing to let the buyer ride in the car before it's pulled.  He'd probably allow for a compression check I bet.  Not a bad price if it's all good.  Perhaps he's going V8 or RB or something and wants to change out the body parts too while he's at it?

Stumbled on this video of a restoration and sale of a 280z in the UK.   Pretty cool episode.  In this they have a new 280z fender badge made from scratch out of metal.  Seems cost prohibitive, I’d like to know what one of those badges cost, now that the company has a die made.