I still want a Scarab.

My first 77 Datsun 280Z was that color scheme...dark green, with the white rocker stripe, and a tan interior in 1984...I loved that car, and have had close to 30 others over the years (most were parted out because of massive frame/body rust).

It’s always nostalgia, that’s why certain eras of collector cars rise and then eventually fade away. A new generation comes into their prime financial years, buys the cars that remind them of their youth, then eventually ages out of the hobby. That’s why stuff from the 1950s is affordable again and muscle car prices are cooling. That’s how a 240z becomes a $300k car.

The only exception is the super expensive and rare stuff that trades like art.

1971 240z is the first car I ever saw my Dad do body work on in the home garage. I was maybe 7 years old. He built the car for my Mom to travel back and forth to her college classes about 3 hours away. It was a silver blue color. She ended up wrecking on it on an ice covered bridge in '75 or '76. I think my Dad teared up about the car as much as he did about my Mom. :) She was totally fine except for the goose egg on hear head.

That is really interesting about the hood, thanks

I loved my slotted mags.

It was and still is a "cheap sports car". It's not a rare car but since the tin worm and time took care of most of them a good one is hard to find. Datsun/Nissan produced 168,584.
Having grown up around them I know their faults and have never wanted another one. Memories of my last one sold in 1982 breaking at the firewall due to rust are vivid.

Its not a McLaren so any rise in value will never out pace what it costs to restore one.

These cars were not slow for the year, by comparison the same year Ferrari Dino 246 only had about 40hp more than a 240Z, but cost about 3-4 times the price of 240Z. My neighbor (picture above) paid just under $4k for his 240Z brand new and it also has dealer installed R12 AC which still works great in the middle of summer here in Houston. Throw on a set of triple sidedraughts and a really good exhaust system and you'll be able to keep up with a Dino.

Here is my '72 240z....
Picture was taken in the late 80's when I was working a summer job helping a friend build a car wash in Grand Rapids, Ohio. Wish I had kept that car... It had serious rust issues back then that I did not care to deal with at the time. Mine originally came with an automatic, but I swapped in a 4 speed not long after I bought it used. I used to autocross it back then and it was a blast to beat the hell out of.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1580389749.jpg

Could have bought both the Convertible D and '59A on BAT for similar money.:D

One of the reasons that I sold the 74 was because I was worried about rust (I live 50 feet from saltwater) I started looking for a Z for awhile - and came to the conclusion after looking at a few that they would be even worse. So I have resided to the fact that my classic car target will need to be more rustproof - So settling on the idea of a mid 80's Targa to go along with the turbo.

They are great driving cars - my parents had a 280Z that I used to sneak out at every opportunity

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1580395403.JPG

I got to drool on this one. It belongs to Larry Wilson and is part of his astonishing collection or Porsches, Ferraris, and many British cars, American muscle and more. He opened it up for us to see the engine.

Had a 78z. Drove it like I stole it.

21k on the clock must have had some influence on price.


Similar to an unworn rolex watch


...but my money is on Adam Corola


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E08AexQWyXo" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That must be a record, many times over, for any car where over 100,000 units were produced.

I wonder what the second highest is, for a car produced in those volumes? It can’t be even close.

...and who was bidder number 2?

168,584 to be exact.

The her his this for comparison

In the first two years of production, three Ford Motor Company plants in Milpitas, California; Dearborn, Michigan; and Metuchen, New Jersey produced almost 1.3 million Mustangs.

There is a 1973 on BaT, not original, but looks nice. Bet the seller is glad to be on the heals of that '71 sale :)

Love/Hate visiting BaT site - each time I 'hope' to find a nice Saab 99 Turbo. Till then I candrool over these:

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-volkswagen-rabbit-gti-8/
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1986-porsche-911-turbo-52/

I had 5 different Zs throughout my high school and after years.. ( 2 240s, 1 260s and 2 280s) I always ponder getting another one one day but nostalgia is really the only reason. Once you consider price (was looking at some good examples in the 9-15K range) and performance compared to today's econo boxes and the only reason they make sense is because of memories..

My very good friend Ian Reid has had one of each. And I think his 240 was his favorite. I think each "upgrade" was a minor disappointment when compared with the previous. I remember he did like the 260 though.