Vehicle Description
1970 Datsun 240Z
OK, so it's nothing like 1934. But that year, Nissan Motors was
formed from the merger of two Japanese car companies: DAT
Automobile Co. and Jitsuyo Automobile Co. But instead of using the
new, Nissan name plate for the front of their cars, they chose to
brand them Datsun - the moniker DAT Automobile Co had been using
since the previous year - which was a variant of Datson, the name
used since the company's first car the year before that, changed
because it sounded too much like a Japanese phrase that means "to
lose money". Come 1984, and with the Datsun brand firmly
established across the world, Nissan decided it was about time it
marketed its cars under the parent brand's name plate. Datsun was
dropped. But it was a pricey decision. Changing signs at the 1,100
Datsun dealerships cost $30 million. Changing the marketing epithet
from "Datsun, We Are Driven!" to "The Name is Nissan" cost $200
million. Then there was another $50 million spent on approved but
redundant Datsun adverts. All in, it was a $500m exercise...
Let's get into the way back machine Peabody, and head to 1970 when
Nissan was Datsun, and the company hit the US shores with a pony
car of their own, which happens to be the car up for consignment.
It's looking sharp in white, holding its clean lines, small chromed
bumpers, long pony car hood and hatchback styling bringing up the
rear. An original drivetrain is under the hood, (2.4L I-6), and the
interior is looking good...almost as if new.
Exterior
With gaps that remain consistent, we note only a few areas of chip
off exposing some surface rust underneath, but this is reserved to
the pinch weld of the rocker panels. Overall, the chrome and
trimmings as well as most of the panels are looking terrific, and
nice and shiny. Badging is all good and correct from 1970, the
glass is clear and note the badging and well-kept rear hatch vents
are exclusive to the 1970 model year. It's 1970, and all the crash
bumpers, and emissions have yet to hit the car market hard, so this
car benefits from that to have nice chrome simple bumpers, and a
great body line thanks to the Japanese designers take on the pony
car motif. 15" 8 spoke polished lip Mag style wheels are on all 4
corners, and the car remains mostly original to boot.
Interior
Opening the doors, we note some nicely done door panels in Cobalt
Blue vinyl which are original. This blue is highlighted by a black
armrest/door pull and chrome trimmings for the door releases and
window cranks. Freshly recovered Cobalt Blue high back buckets
float in a sea of black carpeting and have a nice black center
console with a wood topped shifter knob racing forward from the
rear back carpeted hatchback storage area. These seats are
patterned with smooth bolsters and nice tuck and roll inserts and
covering the hump and leading up to the console is diamond pleated
vinyl. Up front, the nice black padded dash uses a deeply embedded
circular motif as its central design, which forms the housing for
all the gauges including some peppering the very center of the dash
on top. Flowing down to the console in the center of the dash we
note the heater controls and the factory installed AM radio. The
original 3 spoke steering wheel fronts this dash and looks rather
sporty. We note that the glovebox insert has been removed, however
a new insert is included with the purchase.
Drivetrain
An original unrestored 2.4 Liter L24 inline 6-cylinder graces the
engine bay. On the side under the orangish red air cleaner assembly
are dual Hitachi HJG 46 W 44mm SU type carburetors all working
together to make a stout 151hp. Bolted to the back is a new with
less than 300 mile 4-speed manual transmission attached along with
a new clutch which sends power to a 3.36 posi rear summing up the
drivetrain.
Undercarriage
Patina and factory undercoating abounds throughout with the only
surface rust seen being on the stock style single exhaust system. A
front disc, rear drum brake arrangement with a new master cylinder
is on to slow you down in time for the 4-wheel independent
suspension to handle any curve you can throw this Z-car through. A
well-kept undercarriage here without any of the notorious Datsun
corrosion.
Drive-Ability
This sports car started easily, and it was off to the test track
where it had nice acceleration, rail-like handling, and quick bias
free panic stopping. The interior is very comfortable and
surprisingly roomy and all functions save for the AM radio were
working exactly as designed. I fancy myself more of the British
sports car type, but this import from across the Pacific met my
ultra-high expectations and standards and then some.
Lovingly cared for and put away safely after each use has left us
with this shining example of the 1st year Z-car from Datsun. With a
new transmission, clutch and redone seating this is more than just
eye candy, it's meant to be driven and enjoyed...well maybe a
little gloating and showing off is acceptable too. A Japanese pony
car which gave all others here in the USA a run for their money,
now classic and becoming collectable, right here in our hallowed
halls of Classic Auto Mall, Zat's all folks!
VIN DECODE
HLS3001382
H-L24
L-Left Hand Drive
S30-S130 Model
01382-Sequential Unit Number
