Vehicle Description
In the early 1960s, Japanese manufacturers got serious about taking
on new markets, particularly in the increasingly critical North
American arena. As British and German carmakers made inroads in the
USA, the Japanese struggled to find their footing. In the 1950s,
Americans held a cultural bias against the Japanese and considered
their cars to be cheap and poorly made. The quirky styling, small
size, and four-cylinder engines flew in the face of the American
convention that bigger is better. But as time progressed, companies
like Toyota and Datsun gradually found favor among a growing
contingent of buyers who appreciated the quality and dependability
as well as the quirks. Datsun (under the parent company Nissan) was
particularly keen on using international motorsport to strengthen
their reputation. As early as the 1950s, they participated in the
Australian Mobilgas Reliability Run, and in 1966, began a string of
successes in the grueling East African Safari Rally. As Datsun
witnessed the MG, Triumph, and Jaguar prosper in the USA, they felt
a two-seat roadster would take on the best of Britain. While sales
of the 1600 and 2000 roadster hardly made a dent in the Brits,
those "in the know" including numerous SCCA competitors, were quick
to realize the superior nature of the Datsun roadsters. In 1969
Datsun succeeded the 2000 roadster with their first sports car
specifically designed for a worldwide audience. The vision of the
groundbreaking 240Z came from Nissan Motors USA boss, Yutaka
Katayama, known by legions of loyal fans as "Mr. K." He, along with
the Japanese design team led by Yoshihiko Matsuo, created an
affordable sports car that combined the best of Japanese
engineering excellence with the flavor and flair of a European GT.
Credit for the 240Z's iconic styling often goes to Count Albrecht
von Goertz. However, he played a relatively minor role in the car's
creation, guiding Matsuo's design team on earlier projects that
eventually formed the foundation for the 240Z's beautiful,
Japanese-penned lines. Mechanically, the 240Z borrowed heavily from
across the Nissan range, incorporating sophisticated four-wheel
independent suspension, disc brakes up front, and excellent weight
distribution. The 240Z was an immediate hit, and Datsun/Nissan
built more than 165,000 of them through 1973. Now as much as ever,
the 240Z is a cult classic - beloved by enthusiasts worldwide for
its gutsy power, striking good looks, and surprising practicality
and it remains one of the most widely adored and collectible
Japanese cars of all time. This highly desirable 1970 240Z is an
outstanding example of Datsun's perennial classic, presented with a
beautifully detailed restoration. The high-quality, bare-metal
repaint was done in the early 2000s, using a superb original car as
a basis. The odometer shows approximately 60,000 miles, which is
believed to be accurate. This Z-car is in exceptional condition,
with high-quality paintwork and detailing. In the time since the
restoration, it shows evidence of regular careful use, and as a
result, a minor touchup or two is evident on inspection. It remains
a beautifully sorted car, with remarkably fresh cosmetics. In
addition to the outstanding paint and bodywork, the bumpers and
bright trim are restored and in superb order. A set of period
reproduction American Racing Libre 4-spoke mag wheels wear chunky
205/60-14 Michelin radials to fill out the wheel wells nicely,
giving the car a purposeful and aggressive stance. As with any
cult-classic, many owners modify their Z-cars to suit their taste,
but thankfully this car is refreshingly authentic inside and out.
The 240Z offered buyers a surprisingly roomy and comfortable cabin,
making the car suited to long-distance touring as much as carving
up canyon roads. The superb interior of this car features correct
original-style black vinyl upholstery on seats and door panels.
Proper quilted vinyl material covers the transmission tunnel and
rear strut towers, and the luggage compartment features what appear
to be excellent original carpet and nylon luggage straps. Air
conditioning is a welcome addition to ensure long-distance comfort.
The textured plastic dash looks factory-fresh, housing superb
factory instruments, switchgear, and even an original AM radio.
Finishing touches include a wood-rimmed steering wheel and a walnut
shift knob for the four-speed gearbox. With the 240Z, Datsun
created one of the most significant Japanese driver's cars of all
time. The 2.4-liter inline-six delivers abundant torque and a
glorious, throaty howl from the exhaust. McPherson and Chapman
struts provide balanced handling, and the steering, brakes, and
gearbox have a direct quality that belies the 240Zs budget sports
car category. Lifting the forward-hinged hood reveals a
well-detailed inline-six, with correct orange air cleaner,
stenciled radiator hoses, and proper blue-green engine paint. It is
honest and authentic, showing signs of use while remaining true to
factory specs. Particular components, including the Nissan oil
filter, detailed brake booster, original under-hood light, and
factory Nissan starter motor point to the car's meticulous
restoration and attentive maintenance history. On the road, this
240Z truly shines with exceptional performance and road manners. It
is superbly dialed-in and a thrill to drive, delivering prodigious
torque and a sonorous wail from the exhaust. This Datsun is one of
the best driving Z-cars we've had the pleasure to offer, with the
added benefit of superb cosmetics that make well suited for casual
show. Datsun showed the world the Japanese could best the Brits at
the sports car game, all while striking a chord with fickle
American buyers. The 240Z is the first of a long line of Z-cars
that continues today, and it will always be a favorite among
collectors and driving enthusiasts alike. Offers welcome and trades
considered