1972 Datsun 240Z

SOLD!  These photos are not in chronological order.
IMG_5478More

This car sold before it could get to Bring a Trailer.  $27k

New parts:
Struts
Tie rod ends
brakes (all) complete system
All suspension bushings
Clutch
Clutch master and slave cylinder
fuel pump
Tires
Upholstery
Fuel sending unit
and a bunch more I’m not thinking of at the moment…

Negatives:
Little ding in hood
Little scratch on hood
Cracked dash (they all do this)
Has a few creaks/squeaks/rattles, like any old car
Original clock doesn’t work

IMG_5478MTII1584KQBU2341IMG_E6585IMG_E5503IMG_E5494IMG_E5487IMG_E5480IMG_E5475IMG_E5469

That is just drippings from the color sanding on the front bumper, not rust.  (I replaced that bumper anyway, because it was bent.)

IMG_6921IMG_6920IMG_6919IMG_6915IMG_6914IMG_5946IMG_5838IMG_5563IMG_5562IMG_5561IMG_5560IMG_5559IMG_5558

This style of wheel is a very popular option for the Zs.  They are bigger and wider, so you get better handling, but a stiffer ride because of the low profile tires.  This set of tires is available as an option for the sale or for an extra $750, as an addition.  (they have less than 500 miles on the rims and the tires)

IMG_5546IMG_5545IMG_5544IMG_5543

The door upholstery was just some plain white vinyl stretched over the door.  I didn’t like it, so I bought this kit and installed them.  It’s a far better look, styled like the original.

IMG_5542IMG_5534IMG_5533IMG_5532IMG_5531IMG_5501

One of the places Z cars rust is in the spare tire well.

IMG_5495IMG_5494IMG_5492IMG_5488IMG_5487IMG_5486IMG_5481IMG_5478IMG_5475IMG_5473IMG_5472IMG_5470IMG_5469IMG_5468IMG_5467IMG_5466IMG_5465IMG_5464IMG_5463IMG_5462IMG_5460IMG_5442IMG_5441IMG_5440

These pictures were taken shortly after I bought the car.  The paint wasn’t finished at that time. I spent many hours cutting and buffing.  The paint is single stage, (not basecoat/clearcoat) which is not only correct for these cars, but is a better product.  A lot of people will tell you that base/clear is better, but it’s simply not.  It lacks character, it fails prematurely and flakes off.  I’ve gone back and buffed and polished 50 year old Datsun single stage to a high shine, but if even a tiny area of clear coat flakes off, that’s a whole new paint job.  I think people prefer two stage for two reasons:  it’s super glossy, and its easy to work with.  (Of course, this is only my opinion, but it’s also my blog.)IMG_5439IMG_5438IMG_5436IMG_5435IMG_5434IMG_5433IMG_5432IMG_5431IMG_5430IMG_5429

The side stripes were removed when I was polishing the paint.  They could easily be replaced – they are less than $100 for a vinyl stripe kit.  I quite like it with the white interior and the white stripes, but opted for the cleaner look, knowing I could always add them later.  IMG_5428IMG_5427IMG_5426IMG_5413IMG_5412IMG_5411IMG_5410IMG_5409

These were taken on the way home.  Jumped in it, drove it 850 miles, sight unseen.  Ran like a top.

IMG_5398IMG_5397IMG_5396IMG_5395IMG_5392IMG_5391IMG_5390IMG_5389IMG_5388IMG_5387IMG_5386IMG_5385IMG_5384IMG_5383IMG_5382IMG_5381IMG_5377IMG_5376

The main work done recently has been the DEEP cleaning of the engine compartment, and the swap to a manual transmission (5 speed).  The engine is a 2.4l inline 6, which delivers enough power to be very fun, but will also get 25+ mph on a road trip.  And complete rebuild of all the suspension and steering.IMG_5375IMG_5374IMG_5358IMG_5356IMG_5355IMG_5354IMG_5353IMG_5352IMG_5351

The underdash pictures illustrate how clean the car is in general.  Most old cars have filth and dust and even rust visible up under there.  IMG_5350IMG_5349IMG_5348IMG_5346IMG_5345

This is a part I fabricated.  The clutch pedal on manual cars came with a “stop” on the floor, so I built one to match the dimensions (if not the design) of the original.

IMG_5344

IMG_5292IMG_5269IMG_5268IMG_5153IMG_5152IMG_5151IMG_5149

Another place they rust is under the battery.  This one wasn’t rusted through, but there was a bit of rust starting.  The black stuff is rust converter/encapsulator, then the pics above are of the area after I painted it to match.  Somewhere below are pictures of how the area looked before.  (I didn’t take time to put the pictures in order.)

IMG_5148IMG_5129IMG_5128IMG_5127IMG_5126IMG_5125IMG_5124IMG_5123IMG_5121IMG_5120IMG_5119IMG_5118

The holes in this picture are where the A/C lines used to run.  In that video I sent, the duct tape was for plugging these holes because there was a exhaust and engine heat blasting through them.  I have them plugged up with actual hardware now.  It still has the A/C parts under dash, but everything underhood has been removed.  Would take some effort, but could be re-added.  A/C was a dealer installed option, so there are several different options. A modern aftermarket system would likely be the best/lightest/most efficient option.

IMG_5117IMG_5116IMG_5115IMG_5114IMG_5113IMG_5112IMG_5110IMG_5088

These before and after pictures are in mixed order…. Assume that the better one is current state.  🙂

IMG_5087IMG_5086IMG_5086 (1)IMG_5077IMG_5076IMG_5075IMG_5074IMG_5073IMG_5072IMG_5070IMG_5068IMG_5045IMG_5044IMG_5041IMG_5040IMG_5039IMG_5024IMG_5023IMG_5022IMG_5021IMG_5018IMG_5017IMG_4994IMG_4993IMG_4991IMG_4989IMG_4988IMG_4987IMG_4986IMG_4985IMG_4984IMG_4983IMG_4868IMG_4865

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

4 Responses to 1972 Datsun 240Z

  1. Awesome work. The interior really shines and makes this car stand out. I do like the look of the wider wheels. Nice work on the paint as well. That is a lot of hours just on the sanding and buffing the paint!

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s