How many Series One 240Zs are left??

[zcar70]

I figure that Nissan built approximately 18,000 or so series one 240Zs from 10/69 to 1/71. 40 years later, how many do you all think are still on the road today?

How many 1970s?

How many 1971s?

Hey, it's December. Just thought I would get some different conversation going!

[geezer]

That's a tough question to answer correctly I think. We can get a fair idea of how many are being parted out by tracking sales on Ebay or other venues, but "still on the road" is harder to gauge. Could be more in storage, being restored, etc, than on the road I think. This subject was last covered a little over a year ago.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30076

[Arne]

Closer to 20,000 total for the North American market. The '70 vs. '71 question is indeterminate because many states back then allowed cars to be titled as either model year, year sold or year of build date. So we have oddities like cars titled and registered as 1969 240Zs, or cars built in 12/70 (with 1971 emissions stickers) registered as 1970s.

Traditionally, we here in the USA would consider cars built 9/70 or later as '71s, which matches what Nissan did with later year splits. If you use that break point, then there were somewhere around 8-9000 as 1970 models for North America, and another 11-12,000 as 1971 models in the final 4 months of the year.

As to how many are left - that really hard to say. Here out West I see them not infrequently. But even here, most of the remnants are quite rusty. I'm sure that the majority are long gone. Rough wild guess? There may be as many as 25% hidden around, but probably not.

[John Coffey]

473.6

[kinfish]

Zcar70,

There are at least 2 left ..... yours born May,'70 and mine born Dec,'70.

Carl Beck probably has the best scorecard on his website zhome.com

[WingZr0]

I can account for #1678, that leaves 470.6 left to go . Seriously though I figured the number closer to a thousand, it was a pretty popular car for one to hold on to.

Edited December 3, 2009 by WingZr0

[ncolz]

I've got 2 1970's.

[Richard Oben]

Two here also, one is a rusty turd and it acting as the owners manual for 9070. It is a great question. Cheers Richard.

[EVILC]

One here, 2/70.

[ArnieTX]

I just picked up two. I think the door plates said 12/70 and 10/70.

Arnie

[lonetreesteve]

That's a tough question to answer correctly I think. We can get a fair idea of how many are being parted out by tracking sales on Ebay or other venues..........

One way to track the Ebay sales for not only the Series I 240Zs, but all 240Zs that have been sold on Ebay is by this website (requires a paid subscription):

http://www.collectorcarpricetracker.com/

A lot of 240Zs have been sold on Ebay; however, this doesn't even scratch the surface when you consider Craigslist, Cars.com, local newspapers, car lots, etc. And once the cars are purchased what becomes of them? Are they registered with the local DMV, licensed and driven right away? Are they used as parts cars? Are they stored away for many years with the intention of restoring?

[geezer]

Hey guys, in addition to posting your series 1 cars here, it would be nice to have the info included in MikeW's list also for easy reference, if you haven't already done so. It's great for seeing at a glance what cars the guys who frequent this site have, along with a short vague description. It's not restricted to series 1 cars either.

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

Just a thought.

PS - Steve, I keep my ear to the ground when it comes to hard to find Series 1 parts, as do many of us. I think it gives us a rough idea of the rate of Series 1 car loss due to parting out but I agree that what we hear of doesn't scratch the surface.

Edited December 4, 2009 by geezer

[lonetreesteve]

There are so many Series 1 cars that are unaccounted for. For example, take a look at this one listed on the Denver Craigslist that has been garaged for 20 years:

1971 Datsun 240z

Date: 2009-12-01, 9:06AM MST

Reply to: [email protected]

Series 1. Been garaged since 1989. Ready for some bodywork and paint. I have rebuilt or have new parts to complete the restore, just cant afford to finish the car anymore. All mechanicals, ignition, carbs, suspension, exhaust/muffler, brakes, hoses, tank, radiator, steering, everything has been rebuilt or replaced with new. Suspension, bushings, brakes, all new. Boxes of new parts ready to go with it, such as all new weatherstripping, turn signal lenses and gaskets. 280 motor with the 5 speed tranny, with SU carbs. Spare rear end, axles, 4 speed tranny, ect.

Serious offers only! Call for more info 303-946-7182, mornings is best. If not leave a msg please and Ill return the call.

* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 1489747609

[NissanMaster]

The Series 1 question that I am still searching out is the earliest Series 1 automatic,I have a barn find that is salvagable if it's worth saving. Any VIN#'s to reference early automatics?

[geezer]

The Series 1 question that I am still searching out is the earliest Series 1 automatic,I have a barn find that is salvagable if it's worth saving. Any VIN#'s to reference early automatics?

Have you seen this thread? Maybe compare notes with kurtwwalters who has/had HLS30-07969, which is an automatic. Here's the thread link.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=29847&highlight=early+automatic

Here's another Series 1 local to me that was driven into the garage more than 17 years ago. It is totally intact. Yep, they are tucked away in great numbers.

[adamr]

Here's mine

[zcar70]

Good posts all!

By checking Carl's zhome.com registry, taking your opinions, figuring the rate of attrition for a sub-$4000 early 70's sports car (not many set out to preserved the relatively cheap car back in the day), KNOWING how 240Zs rusted, etc., I would estimate that there are about 600-800 series one 240Zs still on the road today.

I would think it would also be fair to assume there might also be near that many tucked away in garages and barns somewhere (who knows what condition those are in!).

In any event, I would be surprised if there were 10% still on the planet 40 years later.

[auzziez]

Hey guys, in addition to posting your series 1 cars here, it would be nice to have the info included in MikeW's list also for easy reference, if you haven't already done so. It's great for seeing at a glance what cars the guys who frequent this site have, along with a short vague description. It's not restricted to series 1 cars either.

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

Just a thought.

PS - Steve, I keep my ear to the ground when it comes to hard to find Series 1 parts, as do many of us. I think it gives us a rough idea of the rate of Series 1 car loss due to parting out but I agree that what we hear of doesn't scratch the surface.

I don't see any of Jim Frederick's ZMecca cars listed in the registry. I think he owns around "100" Series 1's himself.:classic: OK, maybe 15-20

[mally002]

Hey guys, in addition to posting your series 1 cars here, it would be nice to have the info included in MikeW's list also for easy reference, if you haven't already done so. It's great for seeing at a glance what cars the guys who frequent this site have, along with a short vague description. It's not restricted to series 1 cars either.

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

Just a thought.

PS - Steve, I keep my ear to the ground when it comes to hard to find Series 1 parts, as do many of us. I think it gives us a rough idea of the rate of Series 1 car loss due to parting out but I agree that what we hear of doesn't scratch the surface.

I have #797, 90% done on restoration. The link to Mike's site has my car listed wrong, it looks like the PO added it as I did not. It is listed as 920 Gold but the car is in fact 904 White with Blue. Maybe Mike can update the info with the correct color.

I figured out how to edit the spreadsheet, so it is updated with the correct information on Mike's site.

Edited December 4, 2009 by mally002

[John Coffey]

What is the criteria for a Series 1 car to be counted as still existing?

A. Still recognizable as a vehicle through all the shrubbery that's grown through it.

B. On jackstands somewhere.

C. Currently registered.

D. Driven on the road at least once a month.

I think this decision will have a far greater affect on the mythical numbers being tossed around then anything else discussed so far.

[jmortensen]

What if it's in the middle of a V8 swap and has a full cage installed and a bunch of suspension mods welded to the chassis? In other words, does mine count?

[John Coffey]

What if it's in the middle of a V8 swap and has a full cage installed and a bunch of suspension mods welded to the chassis? In other words, does mine count?

After two years on jackstands the car is no longer counted. After four years the car is considered extinct... :-)

[Bonzi Lon]

HLS30 00110 is currently registered, on rolling mid 70's tires, Appliance chrome spokes tucked in a corner of the shop. However, it is not on anyone's list, yet. With my recent back problems, who knows when I will 'get around to it', or if I will ever be able to.

Bonzi Lon

[zcar70]

What if it's in the middle of a V8 swap and has a full cage installed and a bunch of suspension mods welded to the chassis? In other words, does mine count?

For the sake of discussion, let's consider "surviving series one 240Zs" as intact cars more or less as Nissan made them. That is a L24, L26 or L28 engine and ORIGINAL chassis. Most were modified in some way over time anyway (different tranny, interior parts, body parts, etc). I would not consider a series one car severely modified into another type of car entirely, as described above. That simply is NOT a 240Z any more.

I still say there are less than 1000 drivable examples today, maybe a few hundred more stashed away for years......

[deadflo]

Don't forget some of the series 1's were actually built in Jan of 1971, and so are truly a 71 model. Mine is HLS 20390, built 1/71. The Nissan data indicated the series 2 starts with serial # 21000:)

Closer to 20,000 total for the North American market. The '70 vs. '71 question is indeterminate because many states back then allowed cars to be titled as either model year, year sold or year of build date. So we have oddities like cars titled and registered as 1969 240Zs, or cars built in 12/70 (with 1971 emissions stickers) registered as 1970s.

Traditionally, we here in the USA would consider cars built 9/70 or later as '71s, which matches what Nissan did with later year splits. If you use that break point, then there were somewhere around 8-9000 as 1970 models for North America, and another 11-12,000 as 1971 models in the final 4 months of the year.

As to how many are left - that really hard to say. Here out West I see them not infrequently. But even here, most of the remnants are quite rusty. I'm sure that the majority are long gone. Rough wild guess? There may be as many as 25% hidden around, but probably not.