Description
The Datsun 240Z is one of those cars that needs little introduction but deserves more recognition than it typically receives in the European collector car world. Launched in 1969 as the Fairlady Z for the Japanese domestic market, and offered from 1970 in export form as the 240Z, it brought the classic front engined, rear wheel drive sports car formula to a mass audience at a fraction of the cost of its European rivals.
In more recent years, the 240Z has emerged as one of the most compelling platforms in the restomod movement, its simple mechanical layout, elegant proportions, and increasingly appreciating status making it a natural candidate for sympathetic modernisation.
Among the specialists working in this space, MZR Roadsports has established itself as the foremost name. Founded as Datsun 240Z specialists, MZR's approach to the restomod concept is unusually thorough. Rather than simply upgrading components within an existing car, each MZR build starts with a body shell hand-picked from the dry states of the American West Coast, selected specifically for structural integrity and minimal corrosion. The shell is then stripped to bare metal, acid dipped, and fully prepared both internally and externally for paint. The underside
receives a two-component polyurethane waterproof coating, colour-matched to the body, while all internal cavities are treated with Dinitrol wax. The result is a standard of body preparation that would satisfy any concours judge, executed on a car that is built to be driven.
Mechanically, MZR's Sport Design specification represents the most refined expression of their work. The engine is a correct L6 series unit, bored to 2, 900 cc, acid dipped, balanced, machined, and hand-built using forged pistons and conrods, Kameari springs, retainers, guides, and cam gear. Fuelling is handled by a programmable ECU with MZR's own filtration and velocity stack system, feeding a Jenvey throttle body mounted to their bespoke sports inlet manifold, with coil-on-plug distributorless ignition.
The transmission is an all-new modern six-speed sports unit with a shortened gear lever, bespoke flywheel, and three-piece sports clutch, paired with a motorsport limited slip differential and heavy duty constant velocity rear drive shafts. Braking is similarly comprehensive, with four piston aluminium callipers and 300 mm by 28 mm vented, dimpled, and grooved discs at the front, twin piston aluminium callipers and 280 mm grooved discs at the rear, and an electronic sports brake vacuum assist system. The entire wiring loom is replaced with a bespoke MZR motorsport item, the cooling system benefits from a high volume aluminium radiator with twin electronic fans and integrated modern air conditioning, and the suspension is a fully adjustable 30-way setup with MZR motorsport adjustable arms. The breadth of the engineering involved is considerable, and the result is a car that feels substantially more capable and cohesive than the sum of its individual upgrades.
This particular example is the 'Mikado Hampstead Commission', built by MZR in 2019 to Sport Design specification on a 1973 Datsun 240Z base. It is finished in Porsche Bahama Yellow, a paint to sample (PTS) colour choice that gives the car an arresting presence while remaining entirely in keeping with the period palette of the original 240Z. The interior is trimmed in exclusive range nappa leather with special stitching, featuring MZR's bespoke nappa sports seats, a sports nappa dished steering wheel, sport design gear shifter, and a sport centre console. An MZR integrated roll cage in T45 aircraft grade steel alloy seamless tubing sits behind the cabin, and further interior details include retro electronic gauges, an electronic classic clock, push button start, and a retro DAB sound package with Bluetooth, handsfree, and a four way discreet speaker system with integrated sub and amplifier.
Externally, the car is fitted with the MZR front spoiler and valance, stainless sports bumpers, exclusive carbon mirrors, MZR exclusive 17 inch three piece lightweight aluminium wheels, sport design custom factory style body decal stripes, a central exit exhaust system with redesigned fuel tank and rear valance, and MZR's redesigned rear tail light panel.
Showing 6, 683 miles today and accompanied by the original MZR specification samples, a comprehensive folio of documentation, a C-tek charger, and two key sets, this exceptional MZR Sport Design 240Z is ready to be enjoyed by its next custodian. The car will be serviced and inspected as part of any sale and is available for viewing by appointment only at our showroom just outside London.
Creaghton Collectibles partners with leading finance providers to offer bespoke funding solutions.
In addition, a comprehensive warranty is included as standard, commencing from the date of sale.
