Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

1972 Datsun 240z Original Body And Paint Garage Kept Calf Cream Puff Survivor on 2040-cars

Year:1972 Mileage:120000
Location:

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Advertising:
Vehicle Title:Clear
Engine:2.8L
For Sale By:Private Seller
Condition:
Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ...
Year
: 1972
Drive Type: Manual
Make: Datsun
Mileage: 120,000
Model: Z-Series
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Trim: black

Hello Datsun enthusiasts.  For your consideration, is one of the best Z car finds I have ever seen.. or owned. I will list this just once, with a low reserve that makes this the best value I have personally seen within Z car community.  If it does not sell, it will go into winter hibernation.  They don't come around every day in this kind of condition.  It is a well sorted powerful and original driver.  Please ask any questions before bidding.  I'm happy to take any pic of the car you want and send them to you via my Iphone.  I encourage you to see the car in person, and in effort to assist you, I am willing to drive the car to airport for your viewing pleasure, should you want to fly in.  This is a car I feel completely comfortable driving anywhere.  Z cars are as solid as they come.  I've owned countless Z cars and various Datsun models over the years.. I feel I know them well, and know what to look for.. Hopefully my description and pictures will represent that statement.  On to the details.

Body and Paint:

Personally, there is nothing I prefer more than to find a Z still wearing its original paint.  There is no hidden collision damage, no rust repair.. Nothing to hide.. A very honest old Z here.  And, in my opinion, the best color.. Orange!!  The paint still has lots of luster.  Body lines are factory perfect.  Yes, it does have door dings and some scratches here and there.. No major damage anywhere, and absolutely no evidence of previous collision or paint work.  Extra clean battery area, hatch jamb, floors, and crazy clean spare tire well.  It does have a bit of rust localized to the doglegs (bottom corner of rockers, see pic), this is an extremely common area and there is a patch panel that you can replace that small area if you want. It has some light bubbling on the pass side wheel arch.  The floors are totally solid with one very small hole on the drivers side, again, very localized, solid all around it.. Floors are extremely solid.  Pass side is solid.  It seems the battery area was always properly cared for.. This is very important as many cars have suffered from battery corrosion that runs down the inside of the pass frame rail (under the floor), you will often see blistering or worse at the very end of the frame rail, they rot from the inside out when the battery is neglected.. Not this car!  Solid!!  The roof is always a critical part of the car to take in consideration, its your eye line and is often damaged by kids, tree limbs, stacking stuff on it, etc.  The roof is very very nice.  Bottom of the doors, underside of hatch, jambs, all nice and clean.  I'm the kind of owner that hand waxes the door jambs and hardest to get to nooks and crannies.  When looking under the hood at the frame rails, you will be very happy. A nice car here. I certainly wouldn't be repainting this car.. ever.  Some people prefer to find one that is in this condition, so they know it has no hidden issues, then respray it.. Not me.  Again, ask for a pic of any close up you want.  Ebay only offers 24 pics.. not enough in my opinion.

Interior:

Very clean.. Original vinyl throughout is in excellent condition.. Not new condition, but no tears, very nice.  Dash is nice, but does have 3 small cracks.  Has carpet style cover for protection.  Has nice carpet in the back and has 260z embossed floor mats for the front carpet.  I prefer just the mats to keep the pedals free and safe and quick clean and clean of the floors.  It has a newer car stereo with 6x9 speakers in the back in boxes.  Gauges all work with the exception of the tach and clock.  It has electronic ignition (280zx distributor) and I have not put the 280z tach in yet.  Heater works great, ventilation controls work well.  Every single light on the car works, including glove box, both interior lights, under hood light, and reverse lights.  Door locks work well too.  Weather stripping is in excellent condition.  Door gaskets have been replaced and as often is the case, its tough to get the doors adjusted perfect until the gaskets break in.  I just push on the drivers door to compress the gasket before opening.. Passenger side is near perfect.  No door rattles and windows work well.. A little bit more effort than normal maybe to roll up drivers window.  Windshield is fine, but does have some slight scratches from wiper blades being used when in poor shape.  Rear plastic hard pieces are all excellent.  Seats have Motorsport Auto's seat kit installed, but the seats are not operating smoothly.. I don't know why, they do slide on their tracks and recline etc, but not without extra effort.. I'm guessing,that perhaps the car had heavy set owners at some point?  

Mechanical/Drivetrain:

This car looks like an all stock car from the outside.. and is.. But, it doesn't run and drive like an original 240Z.  This thing rips!  It has an 1981 280zx motor, 5 speed and rear diff (R 200 3.9).  These components were removed from a one owner car with 80K original miles.  I put a new clutch in it with a Fidanza lightweight aluminum flywheel.  It also has electronic ignition, utilizing the 280zx distributor.  I completely rebuilt a nice set of early 4 screw SU's and used a "Euro" style balance tube without any of the smog fittings.  K&N air filters, 3 core aluminum radiator, new Nissan water pump.  MSA ceramic coated headers with 2.5" exhaust, combined with the light flywheel, 3.9 gearing, electronic ignition.. Make this car get off the line quick!  It will go over any mountain pass in 5th gear as fast as you want.  Valves have been recently adjusted and the carbs are balanced. Most replaceable parts under the hood, were replaced. Original wire harness throughout has not been tampered with and everything works.It runs cooler than any Z I have owned.  I've put 10,000 trouble free miles on it in the 5 years I've had it.  Consistently gets 27 to 29 mpg on the freeway.  I have done a 2,000 mile trip in it with no problem.  

Suspension/Brakes:

I removed every part of the suspension.  I had all parts bead blasted and then coated them twice with POR 15.  Every original bolt or fastener was removed, stripped and re-zinc coated.  No incorrect aftermarket bolts that are the wrong length and head size!  Every single bushing in the car has been replaced with a poly bushing.  Not one missed.  I put KYB strut inserts in it with Tokico springs.. lowering the car approx 1".  It has 4 piston Toyota calipers that are a very noticeable braking improvement.  New rotors, wheel bearings, wheel cylinders, etc.  Rides, stops and steers incredibly well.  Nothing needed. 

Known issues:

1) The 5 speed trans works perfectly in all gears and has no noises, but it does pop out of reverse sometimes.  When shifting into reverse, it feels like its not going in all the way?  Its been this way since I put in and has no effect on driving the car otherwise.  If it was a forward gear, I would have dealt with it.  It's not a concern for me.  
2) One headlight seems to have a ground issue or something as it is not as bright as the other.
3) As mentioned above, I have not made the tach work after doing the electronic ignition upgrade.  I do have a 280Z tach that is needed and will include with the car.
4) Missing antenae

Summary:
This is an amazing find.  Original California car with original paint and no real rust issues, or previous collision damage.  Driving it is exciting and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.  No mistakes with this car.  Every upgrade was methodically planned out and carefully executed.  I absolutely love this car!!  You will too.  I will list this just this once.  So, if you are serious, bid now.  I am willing to answer any questions you may have with the car and am able to do a walk around while on the phone.  Unless, a car of this age is thoroughly documented, there is no way to verify actual mileage.. Miles, unknown. I know Z cars well and especially this one.  Awesome car!


On Nov-06-13 at 19:10:26 PST, seller added the following information:

A couple things I realized I forgot.. Im sure there will be more!  

1) The steering wheel was a gift and will not be included.. The original steering wheel will be installed if sold.
2) Car did have dealer installed A/C, It was previously removed.  No A/C components come with the car.

Auto Services in Utah

Wasatch Body Shop, Inc. ★★★★★

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Reed Muffler & Brake ★★★★★

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Neths Auto Repair ★★★★★

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Address: 134 W 2700 S, South-Salt-Lake
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Photo Credit: Dorotheum