1971 Datsun 240Z

Thanks to the vision of legendary automotive designer Albrecht von Goertz, and the commercial determination of Nissan’s US-chief, Yutaka Katayama, the 240Z was first released to considerable acclaim on 22nd October 1969, aggressively positioned and priced to compete with the directly comparable Mercedes 280SL, Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche 911T and Jaguar E-Type. 90% of the early production went to the USA where buyers quickly recognised the considerable competition potential of the reliable and tuneable 240Z. It was not long before BRE Motorsport and Bob Sharp Racing delivered Datsun multiple SCCA Championships during the seventies, whilst on the International Rally stage, the 240Z won the 1971 and 1973 Safari Rally with Shekhar Mehta and closer to home, in the Welsh forests,with highly respected UK-driver, Tony Fall.

Built and refined over several years, by one of the UK’s foremost 240Z specialists, Dave Jarman of DJR Limited, the car was completed in 2012, utilising a Californian bodyshell built to a highly detailed specification; Fast-road specification, hand-built, 2.8-litre engine, delivering a reliable and economic 197bhp, Nissan 200-SX 5-speed gearbox, R200 differential aligned to a Quaife ATB LSD, R200 3.9 heavy-duty propshaft and 280ZX rear-drive shafts and hubs, Bilstein coil-over suspension, FIA-spec rear brake discs, 15” Minilite wheels painted in anthracite, shod with Dunlop Formula-R tyres, aluminium sump-guard and stainless-steel exhaust, Safety Devices rear roll-cage, fully upholstered Recaro seats with 4-point harnesses, RaliTripp multi-functional tripmeter and PIAA high-output, 110W spotlights.

The car is titled as a 1971 Datsun 240Z and consequently road-fund-licence exempt. Over the last decade, it has been professionally maintained and further refined, most noticeably in January 2022, by renowned UK specialist, The Z Farm, with a full service, rolling-road set-up, mud flaps, E10-spec fuel-lines fitted and a Stilo intercom installed (cost £3,214.48) to further enhance the car’s versatility. More recently it has participated in multiple UK touring, road and stage rally events, successfully completing more than 2,500 miles and was equally at home on closed HRCR tests or the open road, proving both economical and 100% reliable. The car is very competitive and eligible for multiple motorsport disciplines – HERO, HRCR, HSCC Roadsports, Classic Hill Climb & Sprinting and Touring events

Nicknamed the Kanagawa taxi by several of our vendors friends (who have sat in the co-driver seat), the 240Z is offered in immaculate condition with eight unused Dunlop tyres and a spare front bumper. The Datsun has only become available as our vendor has had the opportunity to acquire a dream project.

The costs involved in a marque specialist preparing a 240Z to this specification would be way in excess of our guide price, not to mention the time it would take, making this a special opportunity to shortcut such a build and enjoy the balance of this motorsport season on road, hill, track or rally stage in a landmark, distinctive collectors car - exceptional value and not to be missed.