Datsun 240Z?
 

I am thinking about buying a 72 Datsun 240Z. It is a rust free SoCal car that is presently not running. Car seems to be complete including a spare engine. Interior seems alright from pictures. Guy tried to restore it years ago but didn't have any idea of what he was doing, hired a mechanic that got it running and then it sat for years. Now he wants to get rid of it. I'm going to look at it in person in a few weeks.
Anyone ever had one, worked on one or restored one? They seem pretty simple to work on and parts don't look that hard to get. The one draw back is it's an auto transmission but seems pretty simple to swap that out. Also what do you think it's worth?
I will post pictures when I get them but I think it might be a situation where I either buy it on the spot and haul it home or pass on it so I'm looking for any advise
Thanks
Steve

Worth is ever changing and depends on how bad someone wants a thing.
I like the 240Z and think it is a cool car. Swap out that transmission and it would be a fun car for sure.
Concerning "worth", Google a few examples and deduct some for the transmission and the fact that it isn't running.
There is a 240Z with an automatic transmission that has a price of 30k on ebay at the moment.
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Ever talk to Mike's Z car in Santa Fe springs or Miller's Datsun in Pasadena. Miller is a cool, older dude. My friend use to own those buildings and we would stop by when he has business there and I would chat with him. Lots of Zs there. I am Mike's Z shop would know what they are worth or they will be able to get hard to source parts for ya. My neighbor has his 510 service there and I would take him. Don't know anything about Mike's.

A 240z is a car I would want , classic clean lines and good performance . Like many cars of that era rust can be a problem . But a CA car should not have major rust . Good luck with the purchase.

Dream car of my teen years ... I'd love to have one. CKelly78Z (?) knows these cars well ... don't know if he is still active here...

Take ca$h :)!

I have had many 240s and done the manual swap. The mount for the automatic isn't as strong or reinforced like that of the manual but will fine if you don't go to Willow.

240s are fantastic cars, the next level down from an early 911, some ways more fun but being able swing the rear end out on command, over and over and over again. Cam, Webers/Mikunis and headers are required to maximize joy. If owner did any research, and the car is rust free as it most likely is, it's worth a low of $5K and "high" of $8K meaning you never know what someone with Z experience will pay for a solid body project.

I've only driven a new '78 when I was in hs... have ZERO experience ... sorta like veja du with my 911 and this place ... but I had never been in a 911 before...

I have cash too ;)

Go get yer Z .... before Shaun does :D

Sounds like a fun project! If it’s really rust free and complete then that should be a decent starting point. Beware of poorly done DIY “restoration”, sounds like this guy may have been in over his head? I have always wanted a Z but the stars have never aligned.

I loved my '78 280Z. It's been over 20 years since I had mine. Back then parts were readily available. I put an '83 5-speed and rear end in mine that I picked up cheap a Pick a Part yard. Not sure what availability of parts is these days.

Rust can be very bad on these. Look everywhere for it! Of course this means engines and transmissions should be more available.

They are pretty flexible cars. I was very surprised how much stiffer a same year 911 is.

We have a local guy that I know. He has remade his 240 Z into the car Datsun would have made if they had the technology of the modern era. It has the engine from the later models, and it has been built to extreme standards. He even has ABS from a BMW on his larger brakes. Every part except the body has been tweaked and upgraded. It still looks like a 240, but it is a monster.

He is very active in SCCA, and he has a really cool car. He even has the name badge of Fairlady on it.

He does all of his own work.

Probably working on it is similar to my high school Datsun 510...
Which was easy.

All are simple compared to the vehicles of today.

You can really go crazy with a Rebello engine build. Well over 300hp is a checkbook reality but way under 911 pricing for a lot more horsepower.

Engine Builds

Do it!

Have had both a ‘72 and a ‘77. Would love to have another early Z again. Stupid easy to DIY. You don’t even need a stroked 3.0 to have gobs of fun in these cars. Slightly warmed 2.8 with a later ZX five speed is a joy.

I had the 240Zs predecessor, the 1969 2000 Roadster. It was super fun but there were significant limitations on that car and the 240Z update got almost everything right. My girlfriend's dad had a 1971 240Z and I got to drive it a lot. The 240Z OEM carbs were crap so you want Solex or Weber. The auto trans really needs to go, so shop for a 5 speed. The engines are butt simple to work on and a reliable build adding 50hp would really wake her up for not too much $$.

Ask him what he wants for it, offer half, meet in the middle and take it home.

My sister-in-law's husband has a 260Z that he's had since high school and is very proud of. I've only ever ridden in it, didn't get to drive it. We did an around the peninsula run in it.
Compared to my 912 or SC it was very tinny sounding and didn't have the P-car structural integrity I was used to. He enjoys it and will have it till he dies I'm sure. He recently got himself an new Cayanne coupe and is learning how well it handles when compared to his old Audi A5 that he traded in. It was too hard for him to get in/out of now that he's an old guy. I suspect the days of his driving his Z are getting shorter and shorter too.

I just received some pictures.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1764438743.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1764438782.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1764438795.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1764438840.jpg

The dash has a cover, either because it's cracked or to keep it from cracking. If not cracked, carefully inspected, and the frame rails aren't rusted I'd pay up to $7K but wouldn't be happy about it. If the dash is cracked, $5K. Frame rail rust/perforation, pass.

the rust in the rear hatch entry is concerning.

It doesn't look like there is anything good about the car except that it's in LA.

Might want to see what $10K buys you in the area and judge from there.

That’s not rust free.

These cars are incredible but rust is their cryptonite.

Visible rust in pic #2 of a “rust free” car isn’t very encouraging.

Look on the bright side, it appears the tires hold air.