New to the Datsun world

Watanabelover

Forum User
Hi there,

thanks for accepting me on the forum. I currently sadly do not own a Datsun 240z, but its my plan to change that as quick as possible :)

I started looking for 240 many years ago, when the prices where still ok, but did not end up buying one because my parents did not allow it (just turned 18 back then, would have been my first car). A few months later I got offered a nearly rust free Volvo Amazon at a very good price and as I had enough money for it myself so my parents couldn't intervene this time. I loved that car, drove it for nearly 7 years and upgraded it on the go...in the end the heavy swedish tank handled pretty well. Sadly A few weeks ago another motorist ignored my right of way and the Volvo rests at the scrapyard now. :banghead:

Its sad on one side but also brings a big opportunity: I can now start to look for my all time dream car, the 240z. :S30: At the moment I am trying to update my knowledge about the car. I already have the book that contains all the period test reports and I just ordered the "how to restore your Datsun z car" and "how to rebuild your Nissan and Datsun OHC engine". I am still looking for a comprehensive book about the technical differences between the different years of construction - do you have any book tips for me?

As far as I could learn from my internet research a 73 would be the best fit, as it has a collapsible steering column (much wanted after the crash in a car without one) and the "B-Box" transmission (manual is a must). On the other hand I read that up until mid 72 the L24 got a better flowing head. Or would you advise me to not be fixated to much on a specific year, as the parts are easy interchangeable (this was the case with the Volvo)?
The most important thing in the end, I think, is , that the car has as little rust as possible as I would need help with that. The mechanical side of things I could in contrast do all by myself. Maybe ist easier to put it the other way around: My goal is to end up with a 240z that is pretty original oder already period correct/tastefully modded (a la the red and the blue petrolicious Datsun) with as little rust as possible and technical sound. I don't really care about a perfect paintwork oder super clean interior, I just want to drive the car as much as possible (did over 10.000 km in the Volvo every year) and work on it myself.

I hope that was not too much for the moment and thanks a lot in advance for your knowledge and help!

Cheers
Claudius

P.S. Sorry for my bad english, I am not a native speaker. :jester:
P.P.S. If anyone knows someone that sells their car feel free to offer me anything. :bigears:

96063597-0c6d-4bc2-8ac3-693f7868d38d Kopie.jpg
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Welcome Claudius, nice Volvo, shame it's gone.
The books you've ordered are really good, but I'm not aware of a book (other than the original parts books) that detail the changes. AIUI, Nissan didn't really follow any idea of model years, just continuous improvement through the period. The best European market 240z is a 260z.
I wouldn't get too hung up on model year, rust free is the main thing you want.
 
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richiep

Club Member
Welcome to the forum. RE: the steering columns - they are all collapsible, not just 73 onwards. The B-box you refer to - I assume you are referring to the 71B boxes? They also pre-date 73; they were present from late-71 (72 model year). As Jon says, don't get hung up on model year concepts - developments were rolling. For example, an early-mid 71 car has features seen in both 70 and late-71-72 cars, etc.

Condition of part #1, i.e. the shell, is the most important factor. Mechanicals can be swapped around and interchanged to taste.

Get this book by Brian Long, or the earlier version of it ("Fairlady Roadster to 280Z", which doesn't have the stuff about the ZX in it):
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30403135...MI35mzlOrC9AIVwp13Ch2gTA7OEAQYAiABEgLMjvD_BwE

That is the most accurate and detailed book in English.
 

Mr Tenno

Digital Officer
Staff member
Site Administrator
Some great advice above!

What budget are you working with? Even US dry-state cars come with rust and they are heading north of £20k for unrestored ones.
 

Watanabelover

Forum User
Thanks for the quick and helpful responses, I am going to stay open for all years then and read the proposed book first! Jon could you please further explain what you mean by "The best European market 240z is a 260z."? I did not look that much in 260s and 280s, because they are heavier and I prefer the elegance of the 240 rear lights.

I think of not much more than £25k, maybe a bit more if everything fits well. I know it was a mistake to not buy one back in 2014...I looked at one (freshly overhauled engine; Rust spots were tended to, all well documented with photos) for around £9k.
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Thanks for the quick and helpful responses, I am going to stay open for all years then and read the proposed book first! Jon could you please further explain what you mean by "The best European market 240z is a 260z."? I did not look that much in 260s and 280s, because they are heavier and I prefer the elegance of the 240 rear lights.

I think of not much more than £25k, maybe a bit more if everything fits well. I know it was a mistake to not buy one back in 2014...I looked at one (freshly overhauled engine; Rust spots were tended to, all well documented with photos) for around £9k.
I meant: apart from the rear lights, most of the changes that the 260z has are the result of the improvement opportunities that the 240z presented - e.g. extra weight is in part impact protection and other strengthening (although I suspect a 74 260z is not heavier than a 74 240z) and another e.g - the fusebox and wiring harness is horrible on a 240z, much better on a 260z.
 

Watanabelover

Forum User
That sounds very much like I have to expand my search to an early 260z too, thanks for the info. Is it possible to change the rear lights to the 240z ones?

I probably don't want to hear, but...do you think it is realistic nowadays finding a LHD 240/260z with no major rust that is running, but with technical and optic Problems, with my budget?
 

Mr Tenno

Digital Officer
Staff member
Site Administrator
I probably don't want to hear, but...do you think it is realistic nowadays finding a LHD 240/260z with no major rust that is running, but with technical and optic Problems, with my budget?

Zeds are almost always the other way round, running engines and shiny paintwork hiding nasty rust.
 

jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
That sounds very much like I have to expand my search to an early 260z too, thanks for the info. Is it possible to change the rear lights to the 240z ones?

I probably don't want to hear, but...do you think it is realistic nowadays finding a LHD 240/260z with no major rust that is running, but with technical and optic Problems, with my budget?
You can change the lights over, and people do, but they're not plug 'n' play - some sheet metal and wiring changes are needed.
 

datsfun

Club Member
I probably don't want to hear, but...do you think it is realistic nowadays finding a LHD 240/260z with no major rust that is running, but with technical and optic Problems, with my budget?

Yes. Plenty of options given you have W*HD..I mean LHD:D

USA is a good source and shipping shouldn't be a problem. Plenty of knowledge here on how to ship from USA



W* above = wrong
 

MCBladeRun

Club Member
Might want to speak to SacCyclone on here if you've got a budget in mind. He can source a left hooker that'll tick the boxes and there seems to be many methods of changing to RHD.

Personally I kept mine LHD for the charm.
 

Watanabelover

Forum User
Zeds are almost always the other way round, running engines and shiny paintwork hiding nasty rust.
Nice, its not impossible then.

Yes. Plenty of options given you have W*HD..I mean LHD:D

USA is a good source and shipping shouldn't be a problem. Plenty of knowledge here on how to ship from USA



W* above = wrong
Yes sir I am a blasphemer from the continent :devil:

Might want to speak to SacCyclone on here if you've got a budget in mind. He can source a left hooker that'll tick the boxes and there seems to be many methods of changing to RHD.

Personally I kept mine LHD for the charm.
Thanks for the info, may I simply text him on that topic or should I better wait until he sees the thread on here and decides to join?:angel:
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
Hello Claudius and welcome.

There are plenty of 240Zs already in Europe (including the UK) for sale - have you looked through all the sites with links to them ?

I can put you in touch with some great guys in Germany too who can help and advise you - eg get your next car through the TUV, import directly into Germany (Hamburg) or via the Netherlands.

Basically we're all a big Z family wanting to see more cars on the road with happy owners within.

PM me if you'd like. Where are you in Germany ?
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
As Mr Tenno and others have said, the key to a 240 purchase is the body of these cars, most everything else can be corrected without a lot of labor and time.

As Sean said, there are lots of Zeds in Europe already. I would make sure that you have someone with excellent knowledge of Zeds look at the car prior to buying to make sure that you are not buying a car with lots of hidden rust or poor repairs. There are very few cars left that are honest original cars so you can see what you are buying before someone else covers it up with filler and paint.

Your budget is in the ballpark for a LHD USA car with little to no rust. You have to have patience and not jump on a car just because of the price it is listed at on Facebook market place or Craigslist.

Mike
 

SeanDezart

Well-Known Forum User
. I would make sure that you have someone with excellent knowledge of Zeds look at the car prior to buying to make sure that you are not buying a car with lots of hidden rust or poor repairs.

You have to have patience and not jump on a car just because of the price it is listed at on Facebook market place or Craigslist.

Wise words there, especially about being accompanied to view a car hence my offer to put you in touch with the 'local' guys - maybe a road-trip to Holland and see what the market offers and at which prices !
 

Watanabelover

Forum User
Hello Claudius and welcome.

There are plenty of 240Zs already in Europe (including the UK) for sale - have you looked through all the sites with links to them ?

I can put you in touch with some great guys in Germany too who can help and advise you - eg get your next car through the TUV, import directly into Germany (Hamburg) or via the Netherlands.

Basically we're all a big Z family wanting to see more cars on the road with happy owners within.

PM me if you'd like. Where are you in Germany ?

Hi Sean,
thanks for the offer, that sounds great. I will dm you tomorrow! I am from the Munich area.
I am looking at all the pages I know (das parking; classic driver; mobile; cars and classics; autotrader; autoscout24; classic trader; eBay) at least every two days, but haven't found something suiting yet. Or what do you mean with sites with links to them? Of course I am also checking out the parts situation at the moment and stumbled across your exhausts :bow: I did a road trip through Netherlands with my old car, was great on its own...even better with looking at car. What do you think of joop stolze classic cars? They have many datsuns in their inventory.

As Mr Tenno and others have said, the key to a 240 purchase is the body of these cars, most everything else can be corrected without a lot of labor and time.

As Sean said, there are lots of Zeds in Europe already. I would make sure that you have someone with excellent knowledge of Zeds look at the car prior to buying to make sure that you are not buying a car with lots of hidden rust or poor repairs. There are very few cars left that are honest original cars so you can see what you are buying before someone else covers it up with filler and paint.

Your budget is in the ballpark for a LHD USA car with little to no rust. You have to have patience and not jump on a car just because of the price it is listed at on Facebook market place or Craigslist.

Mike

Hi Mike,
thanks for the advice, patience is always the key. The Volvos have rust problems too, but it looks like the 240s play in a whole different league. I wrote some Emails to sellers in the USA today, hoping for some pictures tomorrow.
You all sure know bringatrailer...the prices seem kinda strange in both directions there, should I better stay away completely from there?


Claudius
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Hi Sean,
thanks for the offer, that sounds great. I will dm you tomorrow! I am from the Munich area.
I am looking at all the pages I know (das parking; classic driver; mobile; cars and classics; autotrader; autoscout24; classic trader; eBay) at least every two days, but haven't found something suiting yet. Or what do you mean with sites with links to them? Of course I am also checking out the parts situation at the moment and stumbled across your exhausts :bow: I did a road trip through Netherlands with my old car, was great on its own...even better with looking at car. What do you think of joop stolze classic cars? They have many datsuns in their inventory.



Hi Mike,
thanks for the advice, patience is always the key. The Volvos have rust problems too, but it looks like the 240s play in a whole different league. I wrote some Emails to sellers in the USA today, hoping for some pictures tomorrow.
You all sure know bringatrailer...the prices seem kinda strange in both directions there, should I better stay away completely from there?


Claudius
E-mails to sellers in the states is a risky proposition because pictures of the car is just not good enough unless your buying a parts car or something.

You really need to get eyes on the car from someone who knows these cars and can be trusted......I will inspect every car myself and I can say that in the past I have missed something but I have learned from my mistakes over the last 30 years.

As I have told others on this site with regards to cars advertised in the states, if it is a good deal on a solid car it will be sold in a few hours. I spend hours everyday looking for Zeds or other cars that interest me and end up buying only a few each year.......just too many people after the same thing.

Mike
 
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