Datsun 240/260Z
Discussion
As a teenager when these cars hit the UK I remember the massive road presence they had. I also remember the horror stories of rust rust and more rust on all Datsuns. There are very few for sale so assume not many have survived ? Are they bad news as a 'weekend ' car if a good one can be found?
Edited by silverspeed on Friday 1st April 22:16
Not bad news at all - very mechanically reliable, excellent driving experience, great looks. The important thing when buying is condition and knowing what to look for rust-wise. Yes, they do rust, but in that sense they are no different to most other cars of the early-70s. You just have to sensible when buying and be prepared, if buying a car with rust issues, to drop plenty of money to sort it out. Garages are essential!
There were never massive numbers sold in the UK anyway, so it is unsurprising that the numbers registered are now relatively limited. However, the numbers are being replenished by imports of rust-free cars coming from California and other southwestern US dry states (the numbers sold in the US were in six figures so there are plenty left). Many of those that have come in have been converted to RHD using basket-case UK donor cars (the process is well-established now).
Many parts are still available new (although certain panels and other parts are NLA from Nissan), along with massive scope for tuning/upgrading whether that be in period keeping (triple carb conversions, big cams, tubular manifolds, etc) or hybrid-Zs (RB25det and RB26dett conversions, etc). There are several monster hybrids knocking around in the UK now with 400+hp GTR engines in cars weighing under 1200kgs - thoroughly capable of embarassing most other things on the road. Large amounts of parts are available from the US and also (for a premium) from Japan, where the Z scene remains large for the domestic market FairladyZ versions of the S30Zs.
Zs are now becoming increasingly revered and in demand - thus the values of good ones have risen a considerable amount in the last 5 years. Good cars (240z and 260z 2-seaters), unless you are lucky and find exceptional deals might start at 8-9k (I know of one really nice one for sale in that price range at the mo thats a great deal). Less than that (4-7k), rust problems may be there for attention or the level of finish/detail may be a bit inconsistent (depends on how much work you want to put in and whether you want a show car or trackday/fun car). Excellent ones could be 15-25k. Race-prepped and rally-prepped cars considerably more. Notably, US rust-free imports can be had for in-country prices of 4-6kish. Its up to you if you want to then spend the requisite several grand on top to convert to UK spec and upgrade to your liking. The US cars make a great starting point (they lack some of the refinements of the UK/Euro/JDM cars - 4 speed rather than 5 speed boxes, crappy diff ratios, softer suspension etc.). 240Zs are generally worth a bit more than 260Zs (although the late-70s 260z 2 seater is viewed by some as the most refined of the S30 range while still retaining the purity of the original shell's shape). 260Z 2+2s are worth somewhat less - there are fewer left and they are, IMO, ruined by the longer wheelbase and ugly roofline compared to the 2-seaters.
To learn more, try www.zclub.net (UK owners club), and US sites www.classiczcars.com and www.hybridz.org.
I'm of course highly biased in all this. Using a photo I've posted in one or two other threads, this is my car, a 71 S30 FairladyZ-L (JDM car, brought into the UK in 73, probably by a US serviceman). Its running a "massaged" 2.8 at 200hp. It is my favourite car and will get attention unlike any other Jap mobile on the road. JDM cars are very rare in the UK (think barely double figures). Getting one from Japan now could also be a pretty expensive exercise (but I think they are the most interesting of all the S30s - lots of models and options unavailable anywhere else).
Funny how the topic of old Zs occasionally comes up in this section of the site and dies a death within a couple of posts - probably because most posters here think the 1st gen WRX is an ancient classic car!!!
There were never massive numbers sold in the UK anyway, so it is unsurprising that the numbers registered are now relatively limited. However, the numbers are being replenished by imports of rust-free cars coming from California and other southwestern US dry states (the numbers sold in the US were in six figures so there are plenty left). Many of those that have come in have been converted to RHD using basket-case UK donor cars (the process is well-established now).
Many parts are still available new (although certain panels and other parts are NLA from Nissan), along with massive scope for tuning/upgrading whether that be in period keeping (triple carb conversions, big cams, tubular manifolds, etc) or hybrid-Zs (RB25det and RB26dett conversions, etc). There are several monster hybrids knocking around in the UK now with 400+hp GTR engines in cars weighing under 1200kgs - thoroughly capable of embarassing most other things on the road. Large amounts of parts are available from the US and also (for a premium) from Japan, where the Z scene remains large for the domestic market FairladyZ versions of the S30Zs.
Zs are now becoming increasingly revered and in demand - thus the values of good ones have risen a considerable amount in the last 5 years. Good cars (240z and 260z 2-seaters), unless you are lucky and find exceptional deals might start at 8-9k (I know of one really nice one for sale in that price range at the mo thats a great deal). Less than that (4-7k), rust problems may be there for attention or the level of finish/detail may be a bit inconsistent (depends on how much work you want to put in and whether you want a show car or trackday/fun car). Excellent ones could be 15-25k. Race-prepped and rally-prepped cars considerably more. Notably, US rust-free imports can be had for in-country prices of 4-6kish. Its up to you if you want to then spend the requisite several grand on top to convert to UK spec and upgrade to your liking. The US cars make a great starting point (they lack some of the refinements of the UK/Euro/JDM cars - 4 speed rather than 5 speed boxes, crappy diff ratios, softer suspension etc.). 240Zs are generally worth a bit more than 260Zs (although the late-70s 260z 2 seater is viewed by some as the most refined of the S30 range while still retaining the purity of the original shell's shape). 260Z 2+2s are worth somewhat less - there are fewer left and they are, IMO, ruined by the longer wheelbase and ugly roofline compared to the 2-seaters.
To learn more, try www.zclub.net (UK owners club), and US sites www.classiczcars.com and www.hybridz.org.
I'm of course highly biased in all this. Using a photo I've posted in one or two other threads, this is my car, a 71 S30 FairladyZ-L (JDM car, brought into the UK in 73, probably by a US serviceman). Its running a "massaged" 2.8 at 200hp. It is my favourite car and will get attention unlike any other Jap mobile on the road. JDM cars are very rare in the UK (think barely double figures). Getting one from Japan now could also be a pretty expensive exercise (but I think they are the most interesting of all the S30s - lots of models and options unavailable anywhere else).
Funny how the topic of old Zs occasionally comes up in this section of the site and dies a death within a couple of posts - probably because most posters here think the 1st gen WRX is an ancient classic car!!!
http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/classic-car-pa...
It is currently owned by a Z Club member (former committee member) - I've not seen it in a few years but it was always a lovely car in nice condition. I can't imagine it will have changed any. It is IMO a good deal at that advertised price.
Also, for Zs for sale look at the classifieds section of zclub.net (listed under Z Community on the toolbar).
Here's a turbo'ed 240z for 8k - not as cosmetically perfect but very well spec'ed and a long-time club member's car - should be awesome fun:
http://zclub.net/classifieds/showproduct.php?produ...
There are a couple of US imports for sale there currently too.
Also, for fresh US imports, try contacting William Galliers in Shropshire (search in Google and you'll find his Willy's Jeep site, but he also has many years experience in Zs).
Duncan Pearcy at the Z Farm in Yorks is another restorer/supplier of Zs. Can be pricey - but people are clearly willing to pay these days! Auto Active in Bristol is another specialist.
Cars within/known to the club or imports via William are much more likely to be decent and a known quantity. Look around the ZClub site and forum and learn!
It is currently owned by a Z Club member (former committee member) - I've not seen it in a few years but it was always a lovely car in nice condition. I can't imagine it will have changed any. It is IMO a good deal at that advertised price.
Also, for Zs for sale look at the classifieds section of zclub.net (listed under Z Community on the toolbar).
Here's a turbo'ed 240z for 8k - not as cosmetically perfect but very well spec'ed and a long-time club member's car - should be awesome fun:
http://zclub.net/classifieds/showproduct.php?produ...
There are a couple of US imports for sale there currently too.
Also, for fresh US imports, try contacting William Galliers in Shropshire (search in Google and you'll find his Willy's Jeep site, but he also has many years experience in Zs).
Duncan Pearcy at the Z Farm in Yorks is another restorer/supplier of Zs. Can be pricey - but people are clearly willing to pay these days! Auto Active in Bristol is another specialist.
Cars within/known to the club or imports via William are much more likely to be decent and a known quantity. Look around the ZClub site and forum and learn!
Have owned a 240 and two 260's found they were great cars. Yes you have to keep on top of the rust problems but a good drivers car. Gets lots of respect from those in the know. I miss my 240 which had a Janspeed turbo big time. Good luck. If you can get to Japfest in May there are normally a few there.
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