1972 Datsun 240Z – Classified of the Week

Go big or go home. You’ve no doubt heard this adage at some point, probably just before somebody does something stupid in the name of bravery. Or perhaps you’ve used it yourself before taking on a particularly gluttonous food challenge at your local eatery or at the Poker table as you bet on your single pair of Jacks, hoping to bluff your way to victory. Well, in the case of this Datsun 240Z it’s kind of fitting because all of the stops have been well and truly pulled out with this particular restomod, which we’ll get to later.

Nissan’s entry into the sports car market of the late ’60s and early ’70s pretty much had it all. The 240Z was handsome, fast, handles sublimely and was practical and reliable to boot. It really was the complete package. Known as the original Z car it wasn’t Nissan’s first attempt at a sports car but it was the first from the Japanese manufacturer to achieve international success, and that was exactly what Nissan’s Yutaka Katayama had envisioned when he convinced his bosses to focus on America.

Designed by Yoshihiki Matsuo the 240Z, or Fairlady as it was known on its home turf, sported a classic long nose, squat rear end design. With a beefy six-cylinder engine and rear-wheel drive it was engineered properly too and the result was a good looking, fast coupé that was affordable too. With a 0-60 dash in the region of 8 seconds and a top speed of around 125mph it was certainly quicker than the MGBs and Triumph GT6s it was built to compete against, all the while costing about the same. It took what made those British sports cars so appealing but jettisoned all of their foibles, creating something truly appealing and indeed, enduring – here we are in 2023, still singing its praises.

That’s not to say the Datsun 240Z wasn’t without its faults, the most significant of which being its susceptibility to disintegrate when parked anywhere near a body of water. Factory rust protection was all but non existent and so a lot of Zs have sadly been lost to the earth which is why it’s great to see one in such beautiful condition, like this stunning 1972 model.

If you scroll down to the ‘Mechanics’ section of this verified listing you’ll see just how much work has gone into the 2021 engine rebuild that the car was treated to. There’s far too much to list here but with so many upgrades, as well as an overbore, this 240Z has been taken to a whole other level as far as performance is concerned. Couple that with its tasteful modernisation and this ’70s sportster’s usability and drive-ability have been increased ten fold.

It’s not just the oily bits that have been overhauled though. Far from it. Between 2020 and 2023 the car was comprehensively restored. From a complete brand new floor to a full bare metal respray and custom leather interior fit out this is practically a factory fresh Z, but one that has been vastly improved upon without compromising the essence of what makes these cars so special. It is still inherently a Z car, just a very, very special one.

Everything about this Datsun 240Z restomod screams class. From the Porsche Olive 414 paintwork and 16” SSR reverse mesh wheels to the tastefully appointed interior and incredibly well-built engine it’s certainly one of the best we’ve seen and because this is a verified listing you know there are no hidden nasties and you can buy with confidence. You can even officially chance your arm by clicking the big yellow ‘make an offer’ button, so what are you waiting for? Imagine this beauty sitting on your driveway. It certainly makes a case for ditching your television when you can stare at this all day instead, and we guarantee it will elicit the same reaction from everyone else as you drive by.