HomePick of the DayPick of the Day: 1970 Datsun 240Z in all-original, numbers-matching condition

Pick of the Day: 1970 Datsun 240Z in all-original, numbers-matching condition

The Sunshine Yellow sports car appears to be a fine preserved example

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Since I had just attended the 2021 ZCon in Colorado Springs this past week surrounded for days by many wonderful Datsun/Nissan Z sports cars, I decided to search the ClassicCars.com marketplace for an example of the seminal 240Z for Pick of the Day.

There were 23 Datsun 240Z cars offered for a variety of prices. Yes, you could buy one with many needs for less than $20,000, but I went for an excellent example of the groundbreaking Japanese sports car.

datsun

The Pick turned out to be a first-year 1970 Datsun 240Z [RG1] finished in Sunshine Yellow over a black vinyl interior, equipped with a 4-speed manual transmission and rolling on stock steel wheels with correct wheel covers.

The Farmingdale, New York, seller offering this premium specimen describes it as a totally original numbers-matching car that had the same owner for 49 years. That owner bought the car in February 1971 when it had covered 10,000 miles.  In the years since, more than 90,000 miles have been added.

The Datsun lived almost all of its life in California and Texas, the seller says. which is why it remains in such nice condition. The paint and all body panels are untouched and original, the seller says. The stock wheels even wear period-correct Michelin XZX tires.

The engine was rebuilt in 1999 and in 2019, the clutch master and slave cylinders as well as the fuel-level sender were replaced, coolant was flushed, radiator was cleaned, and the fuel tank was removed and cleaned, the seller adds. Another service in 2020 included cleaning and replacing some fuel lines, rebuilding the fuel pump, repairing the fuel tank, and rebuilding and tuning the carburetors.

datsun

This Datsun would be a star in a preservation class at ZCon 2022 in Alabama, as well as at many concours that feature a class for all-original survivors. The concours in Hilton Head, South Carolina, this November comes to mind.

There are likely few true preservation Datsun 240Zs out there anymore, and if this car passes inspection and is as described, the asking price of $64,900 is completely market correct and possibly even a bargain.

Now on to the best thing about a preserved versus a restored car: It is much easier to justify using and enjoying a car like this than it is with a completely restored car. Also, the fact that it is completely original only adds to the allure of an important piece of sports car history.

To view this vehicle on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

Andy Reid
Andy Reid
Andy Reid's first car, purchased at age 15, was a 1968 Fiat 124 coupe. His second, obtained by spending his college savings fund, was a 1966 Ferrari 330 GT 2+2. Since then, he has owned more than 150 cars—none of them normal or reasonable—as well as numerous classic motorcycles and scooters. A veteran of film, television, advertising and helping to launch a few Internet-based companies, Reid was a columnist for Classic Motorsports magazine for 12 years and has written for several other publications. He is considered an expert in European sports and luxury cars and is a respected concours judge. He lives in Canton, Connecticut.

11 COMMENTS

  1. I have a 1979240 z x bought new with 19,000 mile one owner me can you give me a ballpark figure of value perfect condition

    • Hey Allen, what color? Manual or automatic trans? What options? Is it 100 percent original interior and paint?

      Thanks
      Andy

  2. For 65K I would rather spend my money on a car with more horsepower preferably a Camaro or a Chevelle plus either one looks better.

  3. i wanted one BUT we wanted a convertible so we bought a TR6, it was fun watching GROUP44 TRIUMPH TR6 battle it out with BOB SHARPS 240Z.
    i see BOB SHARP at LIME ROCK PARK and he actually carries a plastic bag full of SHARPIE PENS!
    i much favor my BOB TULLIUS autographs.

  4. This is a very very personable original of a fleeting few left.
    More scary seeing the calls to devalue it to justify restoring/putting money into it.
    I really appreciate where Andy was going – driving it (as it was meant to be) and even comparing it to those many which have been made different wherever you go is worth a premium. It is original. The car needs nothing.

    That said – even now, with the hottest of markets – 65 is a bit extreme
    My being 5 time TR6 owner is of no influence.

  5. I have an all original, numbers matching 1978 280Z. It is totally original, with exception of the battery, muffler, tires and filters. The paint is original, and beautiful. The interior is all original and looks like new. The car has 31, 305 original miles. It is the most perfect Z car I have ever seen.

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