Description
For Sale: 1972 Datsun 240Z – UK RHD | Matching Numbers | £80k+ Nut & Bolt Restoration
A truly exceptional example of the iconic Datsun 240Z. This is an original UK-supplied, right-hand drive car, matching numbers (engine and gearbox), freshly restored to the very highest standards with over £80, 000 invested — ready to show, drive, and enjoy.
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The Details
• Year: 1972
• Model: Datsun 240Z
• UK-supplied RHD (only ~1, 500 ever produced, fewer than 100 known to survive).
• Matching numbers: original engine & gearbox.
• Colour: factory 918 Mexican Orange.
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Restoration
No expense was spared to bring this car back to — and beyond — its former glory:
• Engine & gearbox fully rebuilt by the renowned Z Farm, at a cost of over £5, 000, ensuring the heart of the car is as strong as new.
• The body underwent extensive metalwork using a left-hand drive donor shell to properly restore typical UK rust-prone areas — as many will know, original RHD shells often dissolved rapidly.
• Finished in stunning Mexican Orange by a top-quality shop near Bath, with paintwork alone totalling £14, 000.
• Final build & assembly by CCS Restorations (later Lavant Restorations), specialists in classic car perfection.
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Specification
• Suspension: BC coilovers — beautifully set up for road use.
• Brakes: Wilwood discs front & rear, offering superb stopping power.
• Wheels: genuine Watanabe alloys with Watanabe studs & caps (£2, 500).
• Exhaust: Z Story full stainless system with over-and-under rear exit — the ideal period-correct sound.
• Induction: triple Weber 40s for that glorious straight-six note and performance.
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Interior
Trimmed by Piper Trimmers, who also craft interiors for Alfaholics — finished in beautiful full leather to a standard seldom seen on Zs.
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History & Paperwork
Comes with a huge file of invoices and photographic records, documenting every step of the meticulous restoration. Every nut, bolt, and component has either been replaced or painstakingly restored.
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Why buy this Z?
Finding an original UK RHD, matching numbers 240Z is rare enough. Finding one restored to this level is almost unheard of. It drives every bit as beautifully as it looks, with tasteful upgrades that respect its heritage but transform the driving experience.
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Contact George Watkinson
Serious enquiries only please.
Car is located in Pirbright, Surrey
Happy to discuss the extensive restoration history in detail and show the full documentation. Why you’ll love it
I bought this 240Z because it’s the ultimate expression of the classic sports car formula — light, agile, beautifully balanced, with that wonderful straight-six soundtrack. The original UK right-hand drive cars are incredibly scarce, and finding one that’s matching numbers, fully documented, and restored to this level is almost impossible today.
What makes this car truly special is how it combines period-correct looks with perfectly judged upgrades. The triple Webers, BC coilovers, Wilwood brakes and Z Story exhaust mean it drives even better than it did new — sharper, more responsive, and with an intoxicating sound — but still retains all of its original character.
I’ve just completed a 700-mile round trip to Classic Le Mans this July to run the engine in, and it didn’t miss a beat. It drove absolutely fantastically, cruising effortlessly at speed, carving through the French countryside, and sounding glorious the whole way. The go and the noise of this car is simply incredible — there’s a reason why the 240Z killed off the Triumphs and MGs of its day. It’s a true driver’s car that looks sensational, stands out wherever it goes, and most importantly, makes you never want to get out when you arrive.
My favourite thing is simply the way it makes you feel behind the wheel. The view over that long bonnet, the raspy growl from the Webers, the taut, precise handling — every drive is an occasion. I’ve loved being its custodian, investing to make sure it’s one of the very best examples out there. Now it’s ready for someone else to enjoy, whether that’s showing it, driving it on adventures, or simply admiring it in the garage.
