I thought 76k was cheap for the car. Although, I hadn't noticed the Frenched headlight buckets. I think that really hurts the value

I have trouble figuring out what category the car fits. The early number cars have their own. The well-done "resto-mods" also. The cars with past famous owners, maybe. Full, well-done, restorations certainly.

This is a very low mileage 72 with a 5 speed and headers, and some goofy stuff in the drivetrain. I guess it's the low mileage and lack of weathering? People are still enthusing about it. Calling it a "preservation" but it's not original. It's a time capsule of somebody's thought process from the period, I suppose.

Just trying to understand...

Does the car have more value or less if the original 4 speed and R180 are reinstalled? 10,000 mile, 8 years driven, stored for 45 years, original 1972 240Z. Should the new owner return it to its original form?

Edited January 19Jan 19 by Zed Head

If the vendor had returned to the car to original he may have realised a higher price. He could have sold off the competition parts separately. The bodywork and paintwork to blend the headlight cowls in with the body certainly detracted from the originality along with the paintwork to the front of the car after the battery exploded spilling acid. The price it sold for seems reasonable considering the condition and non standard parts.

On 1/18/2026 at 2:28 PM, Zed Head said:

Very weird end. Some guy bumped the bid by $21,000 to $75,000 this morning. Another guy came in at the end with a $1,000 raise. Bidding over, he got it for $76,000. Latest commenter says the "low" price has ruined the Z market. Looks like it will be a traveling show car. And, the seller did buy it as an investment. He did good.

Some of the last comments. Somebody thinks it was worth over $154,000.

Collusion? This used to be the case in early eBay days. I'm not suggesting it was though, just interesting.

Edited January 19Jan 19 by DC871F

On 1/18/2026 at 7:28 PM, Zed Head said:

Very weird end. Some guy bumped the bid by $21,000 to $75,000 this morning. Another guy came in at the end with a $1,000 raise. Bidding over, he got it for $76,000. Latest commenter says the "low" price has ruined the Z market.

Make your own hat! They might even do a special 'Cad' plated version for you...

The 260Z project car sold for $10,000. Kind of funny how the sellers often remind people to "refresh the page" even though BaT refreshes automatically.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1974-datsun-260z-122/

Isn't that funny, I never considered that it would command such a price.

Nice starter/driver/survivor 76 on BaT. Western Washington state, east of Everett.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1976-datsun-280z-112/

$16,000 for this off-road ready 240Z.

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1972-datsun-240z-385/

A fool & his $ ---------------------

That seemed like a decent price to me...