The Datsun 240-Z

What is a 240-Z?  That is an interesting question! Over the years people have modified these cars so much it can be hard to tell. People cut them up, put in parts from other years or models of Z-cars, removed the original seats, radios, body parts- even engines, and replaced them with non original parts. Now that the 240-z has achieved "classic" or "collectable" status, more and more people are realizing the value of building cars restored to original specifications. It is our goal to build the highest quality restored 240-Z autos.

Because of all the changes made over the years to the early Z's, it is often hard to know what an unmodified 240Z should look like. In our restorations we reference all sorts of brochures, ads, promotional materials and other documentation, to make sure we get it right. Here are some of those references that you can use as guides to see how the cars originally came from the factory.

The 1970 240-Z with original color paint and wheel covers.

Under the hood of an original 240-Z.
240-Z engineThe Engine Compartment

The heart of the car - the classic high revving L24 power plant gave smooth torque and plenty of juice at high rpms. Very early Z cars used metal blade cooling fans - many owners replaced these with the later plastic fan to lessen stress on the fan clutch unit. Note correct cloth braid hoses and zinc plated underhand hardware. Despite the appearance in this photo, the air cleaner is not painted to match the body - all 240 Z's used a bright orange air cleaner box, regardless of body color. The ID plate on the fender well gives the chassis number and engine number - original "matching number" cars should have numbers on the chassis and block that agree with the data plate.


Inside the 240-Z
Colored interiors
Most 240 Zs that you will find will have a black interior. However, some cars were produced with other interior colors. For example, cars with a green exterior came with a tan interior as shown in this photo. There were also white, red and blue interiors. Note that the armrests, dash and consoles were all still black! The earliest 240 Z seats did not have an adjustable reclining back. Most often these seats have been replaced by the owners with the later reclining style seats. There is a noticeable gap where the seat back and bottom meet on the 240 Z's seats and the exposed hardware on the seats was painted a semi gloss black.

 

 

1970 Dashboard
Original Dashboard & Steering Wheel - the correct steering wheel for the 1970 240Z did not have the cut-outs in the spokes. The center was painted a semi gloss black and the faux wood rim was also a semi gloss. There is the mysterious indent above the hazard switch, and the speedo zeroes at 20 mph. Note the AM radio in the center console and the flip up door to the fusebox. The 4 speed's shift knob is genuine wood. The slot next to the choke was for cars equipped with a throttle control.

The Classic Datsun Z Restoration Project

240-ZThe Classic Datsun Z restoration project began in 1997 as an offshoot of our involvement with Nissan's Z Store project and our renown Roadster restoration service.  On 10/31/98, Nissan officially ended the Z Store project after only 40 of the 250 planned cars.

We will continue building customer 240Zs to the original factory specifications.   We can personalize the cars as much or as little as the customer desires. Call or e-mail for details and pricing.

 

 

We recently completed restoring a former Ontario Motor Speedway Pace Car for Bob Bondurant.  The car was one of Bob's school cars back in 1971 and is now on display in his museum at his racing school near Phoenix.