1971 Datsun Z-Series

THE CAR THAT STARTED IT ALL:

 

1971 DATSUN 240Z ~ 1970 PRODUCTION S30 SERIES I ~ 5 SPEED ~ 907 RACING GREEN

 

I could literally write a book about this car. but if I did. by the end I wouldn't list the auction. so I'll keep it simple. and welcome questions. or appointments to meet the Z in person.

 

A little history:  This Z was A CALIFORNIA CAR until April of 2007. then a summer PA car before coming home to NC.   When I bought this Z in 2008 ~ for the first time… but that's a story for another day ~ she was a generally well preserved survivor.   Paint was original. and there was no history of body repair.   There was plenty of patina. but rust has never been a problem for this car.   I used the Z as a fair weather daily driver for 3 years. while working out the bugs and stockpiling many additional NOS and NICE parts for “someday”.   In 2012 I sold the car and many of the parts that were waiting to be installed to another Z aficionado.   While she was in his hands she had a glass out repaint.   The only rust worthy of note was a spot roughly the size of a golf ball at the right dogleg.   The car was put back together at that time with the improved parts.   I repurchased the Z in 2013. and I've been consistently improving on details ever since.   I have a scanned maintenance and “refreshing” spreadsheet totaling over $26k during my ownership(s) that I can forward to interested parties.   Another estimated $10k was spent on the Z in 2012/13 by the interim owner on paint. exhaust. clutch/pressure plate/flywheel. carpet. etc.   Few bolts were left unturned.  I also have half a dozen photos of the underside of the floors available to email or text upon request.

 

A framed reproduction of the window sticker. a factory brochure from 1970. a vintage Gardena Datsun metal license plate frame. and an owner's manual will all be included with the car as pictured.   So will the mini-Z shown in the hatch and the vintage Bearfinder Radar Detector pictured on the dash and if the new owner wants them.

 

The intention throughout the progress of this Z has been to keep the car looking stock-ish. but to update the drivability to a comfortable standard for real world 21st century use.   Modifications have for the most part been subtle and sensible. In no particular order.   The car wears 16” Panasport wheels. has an am/fm radio from a 1973 model 240Z. and a euro carb balance tube.   Power is now transferred through a later model ZX 5-Speed transmission. but a NOS correct 240Z 4-Speed wooden shift knob was sourced to keep the top-side more original in appearance. There's been some suspension and exhaust updating. the headlights are HELLA H4. and the steering wheel is a replica of the Compe wheel that was offered through the Nissan parts department back in the day.   Also. the clock has been updated to a battery powered version that appears exactly as stock. but actually works.

 

All this said. while this is one of the nicest early Z-Cars I've seen lately (like. since around 1975). the car is an eternal work in progress. and is NOT perfect.   The engine bay presents rather well. but wasn't repainted. and nor was the underside of the car.   In areas underneath. the original undercoating is peeling down to green. and in others I've sprayed a LIGHT coat of fresh undercoat.   There are also some bends and dents in the frame rails from improper jacking over the decades.   The dash is wearing a full cover.   There a few small imperfections in the paint. and elsewhere for that matter.   The car was intended to be a very nice weekend driver. and a successful local car show entry.   I believe it has reached that level.   Functionally. the car is in superb working order save for the ventilation system which is set for heat/defrost when it's turned on. and I've not messed with otherwise in years.   Also. If you fill the fuel tank to the very top. it purges a little fuel.   I never investigated this thoroughly. but I purchased a NOS OEM fuel filler tube that will be included with the car.     

 

I would trust this car to drive cross country tomorrow. Oil is fresh. tires are a couple years old with almost full tread. and spark plugs are new. We logged over 400 miles on September 11th between Raleigh and Charlotte for the Occupy Modern Nissan Z/G show. and were awarded BEST IN SHOW from over 100 pretty impressive cars in the process!

 

THE DATSUN HAS A CLEAR NC TITLE IN MY NAME. WITH NO LIENS.

 

THE SMALL STUFF: Payment in full must be made within 7 days of the close of the auction. following a non-refundable $500 deposit through PayPal that must be received within 24 hours of the auction ending (or to use the buy it now option). Payment methods accepted for the balance will be cash. a cashier's check from a bank with local branches in central NC (7 business day hold). or a bank wire transfer directly to my credit union (preferred. and with a shorter hold time). If your plan is to come to Raleigh to pick up the car. I can arrange to pick you up at the airport (RDU). bus. or train station. If you would be planning to ship the Datsun we can make our schedule fairly flexible to arrange to meet a transport service of your choice. The 240Z can stay here after payment in full has been received for up to a month to accommodate YOUR schedule - garaged. and of course - not driven. The mileage today shows (1)45. 29. and will change slightly in the duration of the auction. Mileage was documented as original and correct on the PA titles (copies included). but NC lists all cars over 10 years old as exempt. It's actually slightly less than shown anyway. because the speedometer indicates fractionally higher than accurate. PLEASE ASK any and all questions. your bid is a binding contract to purchase - not to consider. Thanks for looking. and take care. Rob.

 

PS: The front and rear license plates stay with me. ;~}

On Sep-23-16 at 09:33:17 PDT. seller added the following information:

Thanks for all the interest. !  I figure since I've received the same questions from multiple people. I may as well post answers for all to see.

I neglected to mention that the VIN plates are all accounted for. factory affixed.   They also match the information plate under the hood that indicates the engine number. which further matches the engine serial number on the block.

Several people have asked for the spreadsheet of what I have spent for and on the Z over the last decade. so I'll include it below.   There are many receipts that slipped through the cracks over the years. and hundreds of unbilled hours of my own or Z-Friends. but I've kept track of the progress as well as possible.   There are also some parts not listed in the parts column. as I tried to keep the information on the original spreadsheet down to what would fit on one line.   I'm sure there are a few other parts included in the list that have either been since replaced again. removed in favor of something different. or never actually made it to the car.   If you have a specific concern about any item on the list. feel free to ask. but overall it gives a pretty good representation.   You'll see in the middle that the money in and out for the sale of the Z in 2012 and repurchase in 2013 is accounted for.

ALSO!  The spreadsheet is not a maintenance interval log.   There have been several oil changes (just for example) that don't appear on the list at all. because the oil and filter were both purchased some other month or even year.

I'm currently setting aside a small pile of maintenance items and some left over paint from the respray that will go along with the Z at no extra cost when she's sold.   I also have other parts and a pretty significant collection of Z memorabelia and art that MAY be of interest to the buyer. especially if the car is picked up in person.   we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Again. thanks for checking out the auction. and keep the questions coming.

Best Regards!  ~ Rob.

 

DATE

PART/SERVICE

PROVIDER

MILES

COST

TOTAL

11/17/08

original purchase

136. 37

$5. 00. 00

$5. 00. 00

11/20/08

tax. tag & title

penndot

136. 37

$382. 50

$5. 82. 50

12/16/08

5-speed pinion gear

reddat

136. 37

$49. 99

$5. 32. 49

12/22/08

drive-shaft u-joints

ebay

136. 37

$34. 90

$5. 67. 39

12/26/08

battery set. engine lamp. radiator cap

Z connexion

136. 37

$122. 60

$5. 89. 99

01/15/09

spare steel wheel

ebay

136. 37

$66. 00

$6. 55. 99

01/29/09

door handle inserts

ebay

136. 37

$21. 93

$6. 77. 92

02/11/09

leather shift & e-brake boots

ebay

136. 37

$45. 98

$6. 23. 90

02/11/09

antenna. inner shift boot

ebay

136. 37

$256. 98

$6. 80. 88

02/18/09

hatch grills. strut caps

Z connexion

136. 37

$184. 94

$6. 65. 82

03/14/09

door bumper. points

Z connection

136. 02

$43. 55

$6. 09. 37

03/24/09

interstate battery

tires plus

136. 48

$105. 99

$6. 15. 36

04/13/09

OEM air filter

midway nissan

136. 79

$21. 20

$6. 36. 56

04/22/09

rear center bumper

ebay

136. 79

$169. 78

$6. 06. 34

05/01/09

heater console

ebay

136. 79

$240. 00

$7. 46. 34

05/01/09

oil filters (2)

apple nissan

136. 79

$15. 00

$7. 61. 34

05/14/09

center console

ebay

136. 79

$150. 00

$7. 11. 34

05/14/09

jack. tool kit

ebay

136. 97

$31. 00

$7. 42. 34

05/19/09

am/fm radio

ebay

136. 79

$130. 00

$7. 72. 34

05/24/09

dash center vent

ebay

136. 79

$32. 02

$7. 04. 36

05/31/09

fuel filter. oil plug

ebay

136. 79

$29. 60

$7. 33. 96

06/07/09

chrome bumper bolts

ebay

136. 79

$34. 00

$7. 67. 96

06/07/09

hazard light switch

ebay

136. 79

$40. 95

$7. 08. 91

06/17/09

jeko clock

Ebay

136. 75

$44. 99

 $7. 53. 90

06/19/09

rear bumper guard

ebay

137. 11

$33. 45

 $7. 87. 35

06/21/09

blower motor

ebay

137. 011

$27. 27

$7. 14. 62

06/28/09

front carpet set

ebay

137. 22

$74. 99

$7. 89. 61

07/07/09

plug wire holders

z connexion

137. 33

$12. 90

$7. 02. 51

07/13/09

rear bumper guard

ebay

137. 69

$62. 60

$7. 65. 11

07/27/09

kenwood speakers

pep boys

137. 89

$42. 39

$7. 07. 50

07/28/09

interior rivets

ebay

137. 89

$34. 70

$7. 42. 20

07/29/09

NGK plug wires

ebay

137. 00

$39. 90

$7. 82. 10

09/02/09

NOS owner's manual

ebay

137. 45

$25. 40

$8. 07. 50

09/21/09

door pull. cap/rotor. differential mount

z connexion

137. 12

$158. 15

$8. 65. 65

09/24/09

interior tail panel

ebay

137. 12

$33. 45

$8. 99. 10

10/05/09

10/10 PA state inspection

jiffy lube

137. 66

$28. 61

$8. 27. 71

10/06/09

carburetor rebuild kit

ebay

137. 77

$36. 20

$8. 63. 91

01/05/10

front bumper guard rubber

graffz

137. 13

$19. 70

$8. 83. 61

04/30/10

right half shaft u-joints

autozone

138. 30

$31. 78

$8. 15. 39

05/15/10

rear brake shoes. plugs

pep boys

138. 22

$47. 77

$8. 60. 16

07/09/10

adjust carbs. comp. test

steele's

138. 47

$159. 00

$8. 19. 16

07/30/10

differential gasket. heater valve

z connexion

139. 37

$66. 30

$8. 85. 46

08/01/10

differential breather

z connexion

139. 37

$8. 90

$8. 94. 36

08/01/10

dome light switches

datsun-parts

139. 37

$34. 98

$8. 29. 34

08/07/10

speedo pinion o-rings

reddat

139. 77

$23. 94

$8. 53. 28

09/10/10

10/11 PA state inspection

jiffy lube

139. 45

$28. 61

$8. 81. 89

10/09/10

NOS hood release. brake dust caps

z connexion

139. 33

$70. 79

$8. 52. 68

10/17/10

DATSUN oil filters

ebay

139. 46

$41. 87

$8. 94. 55

01/22/11

front wheel bearings/seals

ebay

139. 61

$54. 90

$8. 49. 45

02/04/11

metal hood emblem

ebay

139. 61

$19. 99

$8. 69. 44

02/27/11

NOS window cranks

ebay

139. 61

$26. 91

$8. 96. 35

04/16/11

front brake rotors

ebay

139. 61

$60. 00

$8. 56. 35

04/16/11

front brake pads

ebay

139. 61

$38. 29

$8. 94. 64

04/17/11

alternator

ebay

139. 65

$48. 50

$9. 43. 14

04/17/11

alternator condenser

ebay

139. 65

$10. 30

$9. 53. 44

04/19/11

decal pack

ebay

139. 70

$36. 49

$9. 89. 93

04/21/11

alternator belts (2)

faulkner nissan

139. 70

$21. 20

$9. 11. 13

05/05/11

gear oil for rear diff

pepboys

139. 75

$16. 93

$9. 28. 06

05/06/11

sumitomo spare tire

NTB

139. 75

$120. 02

$9. 48. 08

05/12/11

drive shaft balance etc.

stanley spring

139. 01

$571. 06

$9. 19. 14

05/14/11

NOS turn signal switch

ebay

139. 69

$150. 00

$9. 69. 14

06/15/11

niles flasher unit

ebay

139. 30

$22. 21

$9. 91. 35

06/24/11

<

Also published at eBay.com

Want to buy this car?