Description
For sale is my 1973 right hand drive, UK registered Datsun 240Z, fitted with its factory optional 5 speed gearbox and original, matching numbers engine.
How often do you find a completely corrosion-free 240Z? This car might now be 50 years old but it spent 42 of those years in dry-climate California before being selected for its originality and condition by a UK buyer who wanted to own a rot-free Z upon which he could carry out a professional right hand drive conversion.
With all the necessary components sourced within the UK, he imported the car from the States in 2014 and undertook a complete strip down of the body in order to convert the car from left to right hand drive. Bulkhead, steering system, dashboard and items such as pedal box and ancillaries were installed and the car rolled out of his private workshop in late 2015, when the car was first MOT?d and road registered for use in the UK.
Fast forward six years and an impending divorce saw the car regrettably offered up for sale. I bought it and have since checked over and gone through every single element of the car to make it the example it is now.
Today the car represents the best of both worlds?. a solid and fully refurbished right hand drive Datsun 240Z, rare to
find these days since most have either dissolved or are in long-term private ownership, hardly ever coming to market.
Great attention to detail was paid during the car?s transition. Gone are the US specification rear lamp units, replaced by nos (new, old stock) UK versions. Front and rear bumpers have been upgraded to UK spec and re-chromed at a cost of £1400. US spec side marker lamps have been deleted and the panel work engineered to remove all trace of them. The windscreen wiper mechanism has been swapped to that of a right hand drive model and RHD headlamp units have been installed.
In addition, the interior trim has been restored, with retrimmed seats and a brand new carpet set.
With period Wolfrace wheels, new suspension, a fully rebuilt and gorgeously silk smooth 150bhp matching numbers original engine and a driving experience that evokes truly great and find memories of the identically liveried 240Z I once owned back in 1978 at the tender age of 21.
I am now downsizing a collection of solely owned and co-owned classic cars due to planned retirement and so here is an opportunity for someone to acquire an extremely good example of Japan?s masterpiece, to be enjoyed as the mighty sports car it is.
I?m happy to take serious enquiries but please note that any road test will be accompanied and subject to proof of insurance. Transportation can be arranged if required. The 240Z has gone down in history as THE most successful Japanese sports car of all time, one that took the US by storm and which found its way to the hearts of discerning UK buyers. As a latter-day Austin Healey 3000, this car?s long-legged grand touring capability coupled with reliability and a great driving experience make the 240Z a perfect choice for a real driver today.
I bought the car on impulse but based upon the condition of the body and underside (corrosion-free and correct, original colour), for the wholly professional conversion to right hand drive that had been carried out, and because of the amount of original supporting documentation from the State of California that illustrated that its lady owner had serviced and looked after the car diligently over many years. Not many 1973 imports come with service and maintenance records and receipts, but this car, with its original, matching numbers engine and five speed gearbox, plus annual vehicle registration renewal paperwork from Southern California convinced me that I was buying the best example of 240Z that I had any right to expect at 50 years old.
The buyer of this car needn?t worry about a thing. The car starts on the button and requires nothing by way of work or immediate maintenance. She simply begs to be driven and enjoyed from day one.
