September 24 2008
Iconic: 1974 Datsun 240 Z
Datsun was the name for Nissan cars destined for export. This one is probably the most famous Datsun of them all, the 240 Z. Inspired by the coupe-style of that other icon of motoring, the Jag E-type, this car went on to become the car of the seventies.
The one pictured is for sale at the moment for €5500 in Ghent, Belgium. It has been stored in what seems to be like a car dealer’s garage. It has some visible modifications like a small rollbar, an air scoop on the bonnet (which we’ve never seen before), but we would have liked to see what’s under the bonnet. Standard would be a 2.4-liter 6-cylinder with twin carbs, good for 150bhp already.
Ever since we came across Mull’s video diary of his empathic restoration/Samurai recreation in Sweden, we have wanted one. Also, if you type in “240Z” in Google images, there is an amazing collection of nice kit that comes up and we especially like the wider-bodied versions on a nice set of wheels.
The Belgian car is for sale here. What we would fix first though is those front indicators and put them back where they belong, on the front fenders.
