1972 Datsun 240Z

 


Edit: I put this post together about a week ago and scheduled publication for today. In the meantime I've seen on a great many social media pages, so apologies to those that have seen it.

A 240Z would be an early entry in my dream car garage, and this one, up for auction in July through Historics is perfect.

1972 Datsun 240Z with an estimate £34,000 - £38,000

Registration: EKP 311K

Chassis No: H53010553

Engine No: L24078305

Odometer: 41,453

• Extensive nut and bolt restoration

• One of the finest on the market


It soon became apparent during its creation, that the Datsun 240Z represented all the requirements of sports-minded drivers by fulfilling their desires for superb styling, power and safety whilst providing them with the most thrilling and enjoyable ride available in any car at that time. 


Reporting 151bhp and 146lb/ft of torque at just 4,400rpm, Car & Driver said, ‘a brilliantly conceived car with twice as much thought having gone into it when compared to the Big Healey, MGC, Lotus Elan, Porsches and Corvettes’. Offering a 125mph top-speed and the 0-60mph dash in a shade under eight seconds, the well-spaced five-speed gear ratios made the most of the engine’s torque whilst retaining the ability to achieve in excess of 30mpg, this was to put the ‘Z’ ahead of many of its contemporaries and on a par with Porsche 911’s of the time.


Very impressive, by anyone’s standards. Although Datsun didn’t invent the overhead-cam engine, disc brakes or all-round independent suspension, the 240Z incorporated all of these systems into a brilliantly conceived car. It was no surprise therefore that, for many years the Datsun 240Z was heralded as the most successful sportscar of all time and was very successful in rallying also.








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