1972 Datsun Z-Series

Coupe

L24

4 speed

HLS30-59778

Clear

Except for the color and Western alloy wheels, this 1972 Datsun 240Z is basically the same car delivered in April 1972. Built in December of 1971, it has been in the same family since obtained from the dealer on April 14, 1972. For its entire 42 year life, it has been exclusively driven by two adult brothers. Beyond the addition of air conditioning and cruise control, the car has not been modified. The family connection to this 240Z began in the fall of 1971 when it was ordered from Porreco Datsun in Erie, Pennsylvania. On my brother’s behalf, I executed the purchase order. At that time he was beginning his last year of medical school in a city where the Datsun dealer did not have the sales volume of Porreco Datsun. Due to the fact distribution of 240Z’s was based on the dealer’s total sales and the extreme popular demand for the car, the 240Z was ordered from Porreco Datsun in anticipation of my brother’s May 1972 graduation. After his graduation the car began its life as a daily driver. For the first four years it resided in the Washington D.C. area. From 1976 to the fall of 1984 it lived in central South Carolina. During this time frame my brother added air conditioning and cruise control. In 1976 repair of rust in the hatch area was achieved by the installation of a rear clip. This presented the opportunity to change color. The Datsun #113 avocado metallic was changed to Mercedes Benz Caledonia green. At the same time the seats were recovered with new tan colored vinyl. In the fall of 1984 the 240 Z began a new chapter. My brother gave me the car. The 240Z had long been replaced as a daily driver and was not being used enough as a Sunday driver. So from 1984 to the present, the car has resided in Erie, Pennsylvania as a fair weather, fun driver. Since 1984 it has never seen snow, and only seen rain when it was unavoidable. Needless to say, it has always been covered and garage parked. During the winter months of 1986-87 minor cosmetic rust induced body work was performed. Blisters were on the rocker panels, lower doors, and again, starting to form in the hatch opening. Some minor rust also existed on the underside. The car was re-painted BMW bronzit beige. Currently, there are again some rust blemishes emerging on the driver door and rocker panel as well as the underside. Overall, the underside is solid. Interior floors are solid. Pictures contained in the link document issues. Following the 1986-87 re-paint, I installed new carpeting, badging, bumper rubber, and windshield and hatch window gasket rubber. Fiamm triple trumpet air horns and Hella amber fog lights, which I used as daylight running lamps, were also installed. The factory anemic sounding beep horns remain installed and can be selected with a toggle switch if the desire arises. The current Dunlop tires were installed in September of 1994. Though the tires still look new, they should be replaced due to age induced deterioration. The pathetic spare tire is an original factory Toyo and definitely in need of replacement. The Western alloy wheels need polish. The jack, Datsun stamped wheel chocks, and tool wrap are in new condition. I never used them and by appearance I don’t think my brother ever touched them. The engine and transmission are original. The ORIGINAL clutch was replaced in August 2001 at 99,148 miles. It should be noted the clutch replacement was proactive, not out of necessity. The car runs fine and drives well. The exhaust manifold has a crack allowing a little annoying noise to intrude on the pleasant exhaust note. The dash has the typical 240 Z cracks in the vinyl. The original radio operates, as does the power antenna. I never used the rear window heating element, but assume it works. The lighted switch illuminates when activated. Except for the clock, all instruments work! One of the vent lines at the top of the gas tank leaks when the tank is filled over ¾ full. Since I never used it, I removed the air conditioning compressor years ago when one of the mounting studs broke. The compressor comes with the car, but in a box. In the same box are four original steel wheels and four original hubcaps. The choke “on” light and the under hood utility light both illuminate. The hydraulic damper which holds the hatch open needs replaced. The car will convey with a small “c” clamp I have used to hold open the hatch. The wiper blades are circa 1984 and should also be renewed. Two original keys and a car cover complete the package. The vehicle is insured by American Collector’s Insurance. The annual premium is $123.45 with an agreed value of $15,500 and a maximum 5000 mile per year mileage limit. The Datsun 240Z has been an enjoyable car. It is 42 years old, rides like a go-cart, but is a major attention getter. It has always been a “head turner”! I am reluctantly parting with it. My age and storage are the key factors. Follow these links to more pictures and a video: PICTURES Go to the below link and click “download” to view 65 pictures: https://www.dropbox.com/s/j17skljaqunrcr0/240Z%20Pictures.pdf?dl=0VIDEO Jamey Stewart of Mega Media Factory, Erie, PA produced the following video to document the vehicle’s operation and sound: http://youtu.be/xgpIDbINIGk Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE