Just how rare are they?

[ninjazombiemaster]

Out of plain curiosity, I was wondering how rare our Zs really are. From the numbers I've found, it looks like 148,115 240z's we're exported to the united states from 1970-1973, which are the years I've always been most interested in. Anyone have figures on just how many are left? Again, I'm particularly interested in the early years, even more so ones which have retained much of their originality.

Edited December 24, 2012 by ninjazombiemaster
grammar

[mgood]

Try here http://www.zhome.com/ under Datsun History - Production 1969 to 73.

[ninjazombiemaster]

Try here http://www.zhome.com/ under Datsun History - Production 1969 to 73.

Thanks for the link, that's actually where I got my numbers. But I've only been able to find how many were made - I'm more interested in how many are still on the road. The Registry of Motor Vehicles should have that, but I wouldn't know how to start asking them on a national level, or at all really.

[Mike B]

This has been brought up a few times before. Here are a couple of old related threads:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/thread30076.html

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/thread36686.html

-Mike

[ninjazombiemaster]

Thanks! Exactly what I was looking for. I did a few searches, but didn't find those particular threads.

[EhlersRS]

Alex,

Funny you should bring this topic up. I was talking about the same thing with Carl Beck a few weeks ago. He has a list of about 1300 VIN's from various sources. From Carl's estimate, the 1300 VIN's he has may represent 1 out of 3 (maybe 1 out of 2) cars. From the 160,000 or so, there may only be 2% or 3% left. That would leave 3200 to 4800 cars left. Judging from the threads that Mike linked to, there are probably more than 4800 still out there. However, those conversations were in 2008 and 2009, and certainly more cars have gone to the scrapyard since then. I'm aware of about half a dozen 240Z's that probably aren't registered and they are in various states, from parts cars to current restorations. I'd like to see a concerted effort to collect more VIN's and update the current state of the VIN's already collected.

Robert S.

[hr369]

Going to this link its interesting to see the attrition rate for datsuns in the UK.

I just typed in datsun with no specific model and it pulled up all model datsuns.

From the looks of it their numbers are falling fast in the uk.

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/

BUT what really gets interesting is type in 240z and you will see the numbers go up over the past 10 years.

http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?page=3&q=datsun&utf8=%E2%9C%93

And here is an exerp from an article on the net....

As a researcher for Automotive Mileposts, one question I am asked time and again is: "how many cars like mine are left?" The question may seem simple on the surface, but it really isn't. Providing a correct answer can be quite elusive. There are services that will tell you how many cars of a particular year, make, and model are still currently registered, but this really isn't a good indicator of how many still exist.

These services check with the various state agencies across the country to identify currently registered cars. What aren't accounted for are the cars that have been shipped overseas or out of the country over the years, as well as the cars that haven't been registered in recent history, yet still exist.

Consider how many vintage cars are tucked away in garages, barns, and warehouses. Add to that all the cars parked in fields, behind houses, next to buildings, in dark alleys, and the number grows significantly. Also to be factored in are the cars located at the salvage and parts yards, often in complete and restorable condition.

One can quickly see the difficulties of coming up with a realistic number of cars that have survived the years. Often a service will provide a report which states that only 200 of a particular car are still around. Yet a check on the current cars for sale listings will show 20 or more for sale at any given time. Is it realistic to think that a ten percent turnover at any given time is accurate on a rare car? It may be possible, although that seems a bit high. And one must also question the low number of survivors. Is it realistic to think that fully 96-97 percent of a model haven't survived 35 years?

This statistic becomes even more questionable when one considers the collectible status of many of these cars. Is it reasonable to assume a higher percentage of collectible cars have been stored away for a future restoration project, or to be sold for a higher price when the value comes up? I believe so.

Edited December 24, 2012 by hr369

[EScanlon]

Not trying to confuse the issue but there is a phenomenon in this part of the U.S. that may not be noticeable elsewhere. Here, there are countless daily drivers that are simply ... "Old Cars" and not considered anything special by their owners.

Yes, there are also the carefully cared for vehicles, the gems of which are the kinds of cars that Arne, Mike and myself have been privileged to source, but there are also numerous other vehicles that are simply: "Old Datsun, RUNS, needs some TLC to be a god daily driver, $1000 OBO".

Those of us here in the PNW know to check some of these out as sometimes they really are diamonds in the rough. I have two, both victims of "While I am there..." disease and misdirected good intentions.

The point I'm trying to make is that there are undoubtedly many vehicles that haven't been reported to any of the registries or even part of the "circuit" because to their owners; many of which are probably low-income or hard on their luck people who have little to no interest in owning a "classic" or even a "sports" car; they are simply... a mode of transportation.

I don't think there is a large number of these, as I think it would be a strictly regional item. That is, here in the PNW, California, and possibly the South West states. The rest of the country will undoubtedly have limited isolated vehicles that fit into this category, but their numbers will also be limited.

I don't think it's enough to alter the final statistics that may be deduced, but it should be considered.

E

[kats]

This is not for the US 240Z, but here in Japan

we have good reference ,thanks to Mr.Watanabe

he has been tracking Z432/Z432R existing today.

http://z432.car.coocan.jp/newpage10.html

25 % of Z432 are remaining (approx430 made,109 remaining)

50 % of Z432R are remaining(approx24 released for road legal ,12 remaining)

(Z432R, I am talking about road version only.Not included racing version like Works car or sold for private racer)

Quite high ratio ,is not it? And the number could be more than we expected.

kats

Edited December 24, 2012 by kats

[tlorber]

Lets keep this list in circulation.

http://www.editgrid.com/user/mlwilliams/Z_Car_Registry

Granted this is only a fraction but it is a starting point.

[ninjazombiemaster]

Lets keep this list in circulation.

http://www.editgrid.com/user/mlwilliams/Z_Car_Registry

Granted this is only a fraction but it is a starting point.

I'll add mine there (or possibly update its existing records). I'm hoping it actually has some info on mine in there now...

Alex,

Funny you should bring this topic up. I was talking about the same thing with Carl Beck a few weeks ago. He has a list of about 1300 VIN's from various sources. From Carl's estimate, the 1300 VIN's he has may represent 1 out of 3 (maybe 1 out of 2) cars. From the 160,000 or so, there may only be 2% or 3% left. That would leave 3200 to 4800 cars left...

Robert S.

Thats a scary low figure, but kind of expected given the time thats passed. I've seen probably 5 myself in SLC in the last year, and a few more in rural Utah - but would put it at around or a little over 10 cars in drivable condition in this whole state, and perhaps half of which looking presentable as well.

[xs10shl]

Without any hard data, I'd venture that perhaps 15-20% are either roadworthy, or can be made roadworthy with a reasonable amount of cost. The limiting factor IMHO is the cost of repairing rusted tubs.

With enough funds, you can rebuild and register an entire car around a serial number, so in theory, 100% survive as a serial number, but not all are currently roadworthy.