Vehicle Description
Before Datsun's stylish and affordable 240Z fastback coupe arrived
on the scene, Americans were stubbornly skeptical of Japanese
automobiles. Despite Datsun's dominant presence in SCCA racing with
the 510 sedan and 1600/2000 roadsters, it still took something
special to win over American buyers' famously fickle hearts.
Designed specifically for this market, the 240Z offered four-wheel
independent suspension, an overhead-cam inline-six, and superior
reliability, all at a highly competitive price compared to its
competition. The beautiful and exciting Datsun 240Z captured the
hearts of buyers from the moment it arrived and transformed not
only Datsun's reputation but also nearly all of the Japanese motor
industry as they made inroads in the all-important American market.
The 240Z remains one of the most widely-beloved Japanese cars of
all time, and in recent years, it has made the jump from
cult-classic to a serious collector car. The 1972 240Z featured
here is an outstanding example of Datsun's groundbreaking sports
car. Over the past three decades, this numbers-matching 240Z has
been in the hands of a series of dedicated Z car enthusiasts who
have lavished it with expert care. In the early 1990s, it was
selected to feature on the cover of Ben Millspaugh's seminal
reference book, "Z Car: A Legend in its Own Time" (included in the
sale). Around 2002, it was sold to Mr. R. Shelton, who commissioned
the marque specialists at Awesome Z in Houston, TX, to perform a
comprehensive, ground-up restoration. Thanks to a gentle life in
Texas, the car was reportedly quite solid, necessitating only minor
repairs to the structure. The restored shell was then sprayed in a
striking shade of red (Toyota "Absolutely Red") and fitted with new
chrome bumpers, new weatherstripping, and new old stock taillights.
Fit and finish are superb, and the car displays crisp lines and
excellent panel gaps. Within the past 6,000 miles, the new owner
added new Minilite-style alloy wheels made by Koenig and shod with
high-performance Falken radials. The interior is restored to the
same high standard and has been maintained in superb order.
Highlights of the spec include black leather seat upholstery, a
rare original Nissan wood shift knob, restored original wood
steering wheel, and factory OE replacement dash. A high-quality
Alpine AM/FM/CD audio system provides a pleasing alternative to the
gutsy six-cylinder soundtrack under the bonnet, and for the purist,
the original radio accompanies the sale. The leather seats are in
excellent order, showing minor creasing and character consistent
with the car's use. Door panels are covered in the correct
materials and present in good order, and the same goes for the
carpets and upholstered cargo area. Beneath the boot floor is an
original spare wheel and Bridgestone tire, along with a full set of
restored tools, jack, and wheel chocks. Nissan's 2.4-liter
inline-six is one of the all-time great classic engines. It's
prodigious torque and marvelous six-cylinder growl make it the
perfect pairing for the 240Z's superb chassis. This car's original,
number-matching engine was completely rebuilt during the initial
restoration, and it has been maintained in superb condition since.
The presentation is gorgeous, with its chrome Nissan "2400 OHC" cam
cover, chrome individual air cleaners, polished accessories, and
excellent engine bay paintwork. Features include correct SU
carburetors restored by specialists Z Therapy of Salem Oregon, a
ceramic coated header feeding a sports exhaust, and a discreetly
integrated R-134 air conditioning system. The underside also very
well-detailed, with sport suspension, quality finish work, and
pleasing details, including a very rare factory splash pan. In
2006, this car debuted at the 19th International Z Car Convention
held in Dallas, Texas. It was judged by a panel of experts and
awarded 290 points and the prestigious Gold Cup, and the trophy
remains with the car. At that time, it was only the seventh car in
nineteen years to earn the award. Since then, it has been
meticulously maintained at the hands of marque specialists, and it
remains a truly outstanding example of the iconic, game-changing
240Z. Offers welcome and trades considered For additional details
please view this listing directly on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6744-1972-datsun-240z-coupe/
