GoldAir

Thanks for the tips, folks! Much appreciated. I feel very much like a newbie going into the viewing, but will take it slow and have a look around. - Rust spots (battery tray, hatch lip, behind front fender, etc) - Original engine (present or not— I don't think it is) - Ask about damage (both sides front floor, left side fender discoloration and impact) I am getting a large feeling that if this isn't with the original engine, $25k feels quite high given a few of the other considerations. I know we're in a wild market, but would that be a fair assumption? Thanks to all again.

Would love some folks thoughts on this.. I don't know much about the "1.5", but it's local to me, California-kept and I've been wanting a '71 for a while. It's been a while since I looked seriously, so my Z knowledge is fading a bit... but any obvious red flags would be appreciated! https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/d/la-crescenta-1971-datsun-240z-series-15/7506539433.html

Thanks for that backstory... I actually didn't know. I'm early in my journey of first recreational car purchase! I suspect this guy doesn't know much about the car or came into it in a way he isn't disclosing.

I saw September '71 on the door jam plate. Does the year of manufacture run a year in advance of the model year?

You're a better detective than me. I wonder if it's 40k on the odo for a rollover 140k miles, or if he means 40k since 2002.

When I saw it last night it was listed as $1 (trying to entertain all offers, I suppose). I didn't notice the change. I think I'd consider something around $5k depending on the issues in person... probably less considering the tens of thousands it would need.

I might go take a look at this one in a few days... seemingly needs a lot of work. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/914364075821591/

Same seller that offloaded the Hawaii-delivered California-lived '71 at $27k a month or two ago.

You're the closest so far, but I would never dream of asking someone to look at it with that kinda round trip... ha! Seller just listed a driving video. Not sure if cold start or not... interesting to hear some clutch slip at higher revs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=70&v=D7rkT5hIw1s&feature=emb_title

A quick follow up: would anyone think it's worth having a non-240Z expert look at this if proving too difficult due to location? Just a regular ol' shop/mechanic?

It seems like the guy selling never bought it as a hobby. He buys and sells a few different cars and has apparently sold quite a few 240Zs in the last few years. He seemingly bought it from the General or the General's family/estate and then performed a few repairs to eventually re-sell. Most wear/tear/miles will be from the General's ownership years. The car went something like: Hawai'i (car delivered new by Datsun of Hawai'i) -> California (General was reassigned) -> Ohio (General was reassigned) -> Pennsylvania (purchased by the now seller in 2019). If we believe the California tags of 1998 as most recent, a few things could be true: - It was driven in Hawai'i then moved to California where it was also driven. Subsequently it moved to Ohio where it was stored and not driven (lack of rust, no present Ohio plates etc).. seller then drove a little in PA legally with dealer plates. - As above, but was driven in Ohio by the General, but we just don't have those plates/tags etc. (I'm from England originally, so my intricate knowledge of all states' license and registration rules can be a little wonky) I saw mention that the seller has added 50 or 65 miles to the odometer— which currently sits at ~99k if correct (could be 199k or wound back). @Zed Head Can I ask.. when you say "it has the typical transmission fluid pattern underneath. Leaky seal. Rust protection." do you mean that the leaky seal has something to do with the rust protection or just that you observe the rust protection on the bottom and also the leaked transmission fluid due to a faulty seal? I have no problem putting a decent amount of money into this car and appreciate it's interesting history, so as long as it isn't in a terrible place and provides an opportunity to stabilize and restore authentically, then I'm happy to bid. My goal with hopefully finding someone local was to get ahead of any nasty surprises, but the seller does seem to be somewhat reputable and believable.

- Commenter: "Just curious what and why is there a white/clear cap over the manufacturing date on the door pillar?" - Seller: "White cap is a rustproofing plug."

AFAIK (from reading all comments), those plugs are to stop moisture. Perhaps there was some anti-rust measure sprayed inside the cavity and then it was plugged with those? There was an auction last year with a reserve that wasn't met, and since then it looks he now wants it gone (hence no reserve on this re-list). I'm a little perplexed by the lack of running video— he says he submitted it to BAT on the last auction but it wasn't tied to the auction— and then he says one is being prepared for this listing as of a day or two ago.

So it's the ad below— Hawai'i to the mainland and it looks like it's in pretty good condition. Surface rust seems to be the worst of it as far as I can tell from the photos, but was hoping a lookaround from someone before trying to buy sight unseen! It's actually the ad you posted... I've had my eyes on it since it was listed with an alert. I reached out to a friend with a shop in the Baltimore area for his opinion, but then figured I should come to the Z enthusiasts directly! https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-datsun-240z-128-2/

Hi all, First post! Hope everyone is safe and healthy at the moment. I'm looking to purchase my first 240Z (a '71), but I'm on the other side of the country and would love to have an inspection done on the car before purchase. Can anyone recommend a shop or early 240Z expert that could look the car over for me? I'm of course happy to pay for time and expertise. Apologies if this is in the wrong forum— I wasn't sure where to place it. Many thanks.