Carl Beck

We have come a long way since 1997 - when we had to plead with Classic Car insurance speciality carriers for coverage, when the Hagerty was the only one to respond. To now, with them suggesting we increase the agreed values of our Z’s. I think you want to insure against whatever loss you can’t afford to take. You want the coverage limit high enough that your Z would be replaced or repaired rather than Totaled. Much of that depends on the current condition of the Z’s. It would seem that $35K would a minimum number.

I applaud the seller for full disclosure - but it also may have cost him a sale. First - the body he started with was way to far gone for that shop to handle. Lots and lots of rust damage everywhere, but few pictures showing how it was “all” addressed. My fear would have been a lot of bondo filling small holes everywhere. Second the killer was the quality of the metal work done on the floor pan replacement. Pictures 812, 813, 815… That shop really did not know what they were doing, I wouldn’t touch that car...

Prior to the Covid shut down, Chis was planning on shipping a Z to me, which would have been offered for sale once it was already in the US. Most of his Z’s he is doing for his collection, however as people get into the hobby their specific interests or priorities change and they adjust their inventory.

I am not at all current on 240Z values in the Netherlands nor most of Europe - however I do know that Chris Visscher at S30 World on Facebook - has spent a small fortune restoring several 240Z’s. I’m sure he expects to get at least $150K+ for the cars they complete. The war in Europe may put a serious damper on the economy, which in turn will lower all Classic Car values for some time… nonetheless the 240Z’s are relatively inexpensive as 50+ year old classic Sports Cars go.

A 240Z restored to "as close as it came from the factory”, ie Condition #1 - will cost you $150K+ today. A little farther away, that being with say 10 judging points deducted from a possible 100, would be in the $125K range. (one just sold earlier in that price range, with some owner selected modifications). The restoration work on the one that sold for $70K+ would take a year or two of the owners work, and an addition $60K to $80K to duplicate, on top of the purchase price of the car to start with. $70K for 240Z in that condition was a bargain today.

Here is another one -that sold for a little more.. $71,500.00 https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-datsun-240z-83/

It is a 240Z with strong demand and weak supply. In #1 Concours Condition they sell for over $125K, in #2 Concours Condition they sell for $90K+ This example would be a good #3 Condition example. Yes, it was missing the “near perfection” mark on several counts, that the fanatic perfectionists can demand and are willing to pay for. On the other hand $60K for an excellent (not perfect) Series I Datsun 240Z, running, driving and done; for less money than it would take today to duplicate it, is a good value for the buyers in that price range.

Most likely to enable the Z to be towed behind an RV or Motor Home..

Sold at $20K - - a real steal for someone!!

Adding a rear anti-sway bar reduces body roll and oversteer. Brings the 240Z closer to neutral handling. On the downside - you lose some of the warnings as you approach the limits of tire adhesion. Body roll and tire squealing are warnings that you are approaching the limit….. so with no warning spin-outs happen suddenly and unexpectedly if you are not experienced and right on top of your game. I think that is where the old saying “you don’t know your limits until you spin out” comes from. You also lose the ability to use trailing throttle oversteer to set the rear of the car out where you want it attacking fast corners. For that reason about 8 or 9 out of 10 240Z’s are road raced without a rear anti-sway bar. A better solution is a slightly larger diameter front anti-sway bar. It reduces body roll but maintains throttle control for faster corners. FWIW, Carl B.

You know enough to tell the difference between a $55K example and a $100K example - the quality doesn't seem to be worthy of the price to me either.

The original paint was "Amino Alkyd Enamel” (oil based) - the newer Acrylics do not adhere / bond well to it and shouldn’t be used over it. AIR the only acrylic enamel used in 1970 was on the Metallic Silver.

I believe the Seller said that the hatch had the vents, but he welded them shut. In Picture #109/157 on BAT - you can see the screws in the map light are not OEM like the ones at the bottom on the radio face plate. The map light was most likely replaced at some point in its life. I think that 3100 cars and two months before introduction of the Series II is too early to start transitioning any of the newer parts. The highest VIN we have found for a Series I was HLS30 20533 - it was a very original car with A/T. Had the non-hooded map light and rear deck vents.

Driving a 240Z today surrounded by gigantic SUV’s and Pickup’s, all too often driven by distracted drivers - I’m beginning to think Automotive Air Horns or even Train Horns are a good idea.

Several very early (ie 69 production mostly) 240Z's arrived with the Hand Throttles, once the legal issue was realized - they were disabled at Nissan's Port Facilities prior to delivery to the Dealers. The Dealers were also notified and instructed to disable or remove them prior to sale. It was against the law to Sell a new car with a hand throttle in most States - - but not against the law for a private owner to have on their car. Lots of owners ordered the parts over the Datsun Part Counter at the Dealerships and installed them themselves. None ever came from the factory to the US on any Series II 1971 240Z's. The one installed on this Z does have the early style Choke/Throttle knob's.

Another DATSUN Legend passes on...

One of the 240Z's restored by Bill Reagan in Texas - he also did the Franklin Mint Z. 842 was last sold in April 2019 on BAT

I wonder if that Auction Site knows they got played? A Reserve above $105K - lol

$89K amazing and unbelievable - I looks beautiful - - HOWEVER, given the condition of the engine and engine compartment - there are enough Quality Points to deduct there alone - to knock it out of Category #1 or #2 Condition. This is most certainly NOT yet a Concours example. The Air Cleaner is correct for a Series II 1971. However none of the parts that should be bright shinny Yellow Chromated are “restored”. Brake lines, Fuel Lines, Carb. Linkages, Air Injection tubes, Fuel Rails, nuts/bolts etc. Many of the fuel/water rubber hoses are incorrect (old/worn). Non-stock/original exhaust system. Incorrect Splash Pan added Hood hinges should be body color Hood torsos bars should be black Horns are wrong color Seats are installed on the wrong side Dimond vinyl on the rear shock towers wrinkled/sloppy Metal Rivits on the Tail Light Finisher Panels? Beautiful 240Z, I’d love to have it… but market pricing realistically might be something closer to $65K - maybe a bit more with full photo. documentation of how the body work was done..

Since the mid 50's the "New" models for the Coming Calendar Year have been introduced a few months before 1 January of the coming year. In the mid to late 1950's "New Models" were put on display and open to the Public - at the local Authorized Dealership on Nov 1 of the current year. As competition got more serious, Manufacturers tried to bet the completion to the show room floor - so they started introducing new models Oct 1 - by the mid 60's new models were being introduced by Sept. 1. As I recall Ford introduced the New 1965 Mustang in April of 1964. Now the funny thing is NISSAN said they will introduce the New 2023 Z Car in the Spring of 2022. By the way - the VIN #47358 on that car is the Key - - The 1972 Model Year Datsun 240Z's started with VIN HLS30 46001.

It's a 1972 240Z...

Yes, a little weird. Still it is a 5spd installed in a 70/71 240Z. So the shift lever has most likely been modified so as not to hit the front of the center console. Cut and re-welded perhaps to lay back that way.

I guessed $24K-$28K - - SOLD For $21,211.00. Someone may have gotten a pretty good deal on that.

I think this one at $41K is about right for both the seller and buyer. Given the extensive refresh of the undercarriage and upgrades. A 240Z ready to drive and enjoy in a very presentable condition.. the new owner is unlikely to lose any money on this one in the future if its cared for.

My bad wording... should have said all the EPA, DOT and other Federal Regulations. Associating component parts of a motor vehicle with its VIN was, AIR a DOT regulation. It was intended to lower the number of stolen cars that were being taken for their parts to be resold. I'm sure it was pushed by the Insurance Companies and welcomed by the Police. At first GM stamped the actual chassis serial number of the vehicle on the engine blocks - that was were the term "matching numbers" originated back in the 60's. Car manufacturers started stamping the VIN on places on the frame and in some cases hidden in other places (with only Law Enforcement agencies given the location of the hidden VIN's) - so if the visible Dash VIN was changed.. the real VIN could be found in other places on the vehicle. I have no idea what changes in the laws took place in the later 70's...