1971 Datsun Z-Series

240Z Coupe

2.4L 6 cylinder

Manual

HLS30-16707

Clear

Gasoline

Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE 1971 Datsun 240Z Series I – Rust Free with VERY low mileage Attention Series 1 Datsun (Nissan) 240Z collectors, here it your next car! Click the "Buy It Now" button to get it NOW! Up for auction is my matching numbers 4-speed 1971 (12/70) rust-free and stock Series I Datsun 240 Z with approximately 49,440 original miles. Many claim to have this low mileage but I can prove it! It also has incredibly rare dealer installed AC (it was only a dealer option at the time) with the “frigiking” sticker (see picture). This vehicle has ALWAYS been garage/barn kept and owned and driven by non-smokers. This unrestored vehicle is almost completely original except for a non-stock muffler and a repaint (to the same original factory color) that occurred sometime in the mid-1970’s. If you are familiar with a Series I (Series 1) Datsun 240Z, known as the Fairlady 240 Z in Japan, you know the rarity of this vehicle and how nearly impossible it is to find a survivor in a rust-free unrestored state so skip right to the Vehicle History section. Do not let this one get away, it may be YEARS before you see another one come up for sale! For those not familiar with the Series I, it is the most desirable of the very desirable 240Z line. They were introduced one week after Neil Armstrong landed on the moon in late 1969 (which some believe was an equally important event) and ended production in early January 1971. The Series II were also sold as 1971 then produced in much larger numbers due to the popularity and quality of the Series I. Well known talk show host and car collector Jay Leno also prefers the Series I 240Z’s to any other model produced (Google it). Among other less obvious differences, Series I Z’s can be determined not just by their VIN but also by their vertical defrost lines in the hatch window and the two black vents on the rear. In addition, the Series I came equipped with the letter “D” style hubcaps and had the very desirable “4 screw” dual side-draft Hitachi SU-like carburetors that never suffered from the “vapor lock” issues that later 240Z’s had. In all there was four series of 240Z produced. The later series included US Federal safety bumpers (ugly) and emissions standards that severely reduced the horsepower and performance of these fine vehicles. Production ended for the all 240Z in models in 1973. Datsun kept increasing the size of the engine to regain performance but the horsepower to weight ratio but none where as good as the Series I. Specific Vehicle History: This 240Z was originally purchased in Idaho. The buyer wanted air conditioning, which was not a factory option at that time but the dealer could install it, which they did. On most early 240Z’s and even the later ones, the AC was installed in the front passengers side of the engine compartment. Since this was pretty early, the dealer installed it on the drivers side front. In order to do this, they had to modify the factory air cleaner as the bottom air intake would interfere with AC compressor (see pictures). They welded the opening closed and modified the air cleaner body to accommodate the opening further back. As far as I know, this is the ONLY one installed like this making this vehicle extremely rare. I have never seen another early Z with this AC setup. Ultimately, the low height of the vehicle made the first owner to sell the vehicle due to his back issues. The second owner who also lived in Idaho drove the car as her daily driver. A few years later she married and started a family. Since she needed a larger vehicle for her children, she put the Z in storage in 1978. Time marched on and eventually she moved to Pennsylvania leaving the car behind. 27 years later she received a notice from the storage facility that she needed to move it. She and her husband trailered it to PA. They eventually had a mechanic go through the car to make it road worthy but never registered it in PA. I am the third owner and purchased it in 2008. I have put approximately 2000 fun miles on it and have down a lot of little things to it. See the “General Notes” section for what was done. Children’s college expenses force this sale. My loss will truly be someone else’s gain! General Information: The typical wear items have been replaced (e.g. tires, battery, upper rad hose, spark plugs, muffler, brake master cylinder). When I purchased it, it had a non-stock muffler installed that gives it more of a throaty sound (definitely not obnoxious though). This is the only non-stock (correct) part on the vehicle to my knowledge (see clock notes). General Notes: When I purchased the 240Z, the clock was dead so I elected to have the original rebuilt with quartz crystal “guts” by a shop in CA. The clock now keeps PERFECT time (unlike the original ones) and on the outside is 100% stock! The original metal radiator fan and clutch were replaced by the later plastic fan/clutch. Since this was not correct to the period, I hunted down a new metal fan and clutch (not an easy thing to find I assure you) and replaced the plastic one with the correct part. I replaced all the belts, flushed the cooling system, and adjusted the engine timing the valves clearances. In addition, I replaced the points, the temperature-sending unit, thermostat, fuel line, vacuum hoses, and ignition switch (had a locksmith rekey it to the original key). As previously mentioned, this rare 240Z includes dealer-installed air conditioning. I located Freon and got it charged and for one summer it blew cold. The next summer it only blew cool so I didn’t have it recharged as the leak needs to be identified and fixed but the compressor is good! The winning bidder will receive all of the documentation including the rental fee paid at the storage facility ($6.75), photos of the storage facility, as well as a small record booklet with general maintenance and gas costs beginning in 1977 with 37,000 miles and continuing thru 1978 with 47,000 miles. Also included are the owner’s manual and various maintenance manuals and literature. The car held up very well while in storage. The facility had a dirt floor and was well ventilated. The low humidity levels in Idaho preserved the car as you can see by the pictures. I have the Idaho vanity tag and a picture of executed Idaho title from the second owner if winning bidder wishes to view them. The car runs GREAT and could be driven to buyer’s location if desired. Exterior: The car appears to have had a repaint back in the 70's. The jambs were left original. There are some minor scratches and touch-ups done over typical blemishes and they appear professionally done. The paint has held up well and is above driver quality level. There is NO undercoating just the original 
paint as it came from the factory! The chrome is original and shiny with some minor underside pitting. Both bumpers show a dent in the center as per photos (occurred on the trailer from ID to PA). The rear window hatch has some scratch marks (see photo) on the glass where louvers were installed. The scratches may be buffed out or if you prefer, the louvers can be reinstalled and will go along with the sale. I preferred the car without the louvers so I removed them. The windshield has no marks or chips. The vehicle is in great overall condition. The factory bodylines are well defined and the original joint spot weld seams are from new are visible (see pictures)! The balance of the exterior looks great! Interior: Everything is in working order: lights, fan switch, turn and hazard switches, and horn. The dash is 100% original with NO CRACKS (see pictures) and is directly related to the care it has received! The interior is in great overall condition with all gauges working! The radio and power antenna work perfectly. Engine: The engine bay is very clean and original. The carburetors were taken off the vehicle and completely cleaned and tuned one year ago. The drivetrain performs great in all gears with plenty of power and torque. The car steers and handles just as well. The brakes, clutch slave cylinder, and original radiator were all reconditioned. The engine oil was changed regularly and the air filter was replaced. I also had the transmission oil changed, as I wasn’t sure if that had been performed prior to my purchase. Factory recommended new NGK plugs and a new battery was put in approximately two years ago. The AC compressor works but I recommend finding/fixing the small leak before charging the unit. Undercarriage: The bottom side of this car is solid. The photos show some typical build-up of grime, but rust free. It’s amazing to see how well it has retained its originality. Auction Notes: A vehicle can be restored countless times but is only original once! This unrestored beauty can be a low cost daily driver, weekend show car, or a stashed away investment. As an investment, this car should only rise in value due to the limited amount of original survivors of this quality. The vehicle is available for personal inspection upon appointment, and is sold AS IS - without warranty either stated or implied. The vehicle is located in Bethlehem, PA (zip code 18015) so bid accordingly, as all shipping arrangements and costs are solely the buyer’s responsibility. For winning bidders, a $500 deposit is required within 48 hours of the auction end. The balance is required within seven (7) days of auction close (sorry, no PayPal). If the buyer finds that the auction has grossly misrepresented the vehicle condition or miles in any way, a full refund of the buyers deposit will be made. Note, this does not extend to “buyers remorse” but only in the case where I have misrepresented the vehicle. If these terms are not acceptable, please do not bid. If you want to own a THE classic Japanese sports car that proved to the world that Japan could actually build both a powerful and affordable sports car, don’t let this one go by! This rare and unrestored rust free survivor is a true “barn find”. If you want this vehicle, please bid early as this sale is subject to local sale if the reserve price has not been met. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact me. If you would like to inspect the vehicle prior to bidding, that is possible and encouraged! Please check my feedback and bid with confidence. Thank you and good luck bidding!!