Description
Produced from 1969 to 1978, the S30 Datsun ‘Fairlady Z’ / ‘240Z’ (Depending on market) was designed to directly compete with the european sports cars of the time - The Jaguar E-Type, Ferrari Dino, and MG B were in the crosshairs and influenced the design, performance and price point of the first Nissan ‘Z’ - ‘Z’ being the name still given to Nissan’s flagship rear wheel drive coupe sports cars - But this was the one that started it all!
This particular car started life as a Californian 240Z, imported to the UK in 2017 when work began to restore it to the exceptional example that you see here. A solid and extremely low mileage base to begin with, every aspect of the car has been addressed to create a both beautiful and enjoyable classic, true to the original but with tasteful and period correct modifications to improve usability, reliability and drivability.
Exterior
The exterior of the vehicle presents in near perfect condition. The paintwork (BS7 - Blue Mica Metallic) was completed to a high standard and retains a brilliant shine with no damage to note. All exterior brightwork and trim is present and in good condition. Exterior modifications include a ‘Ducktail’ spoiler, emphasising the lines of the ‘Z’, and a front splitter that has been custom made to suit this particular car. ‘Rota RKR’ wheels in Bronze pay respect to the period correct ‘Watanabe’ wheel design often seen on racing 240Z’s of the time (Original wheels are also available with the vehicle).
Interior
The exceptional condition of the vehicle extends into the interior - All trim again is present and in good condition. The originally vinyl seats have been retrimmed in black leather and show no signs of wear / damage. All carpets are present, and all gauges, electrical items etc work as expected. The headunit is just for display (The L28 / L24 hybrid engine provides the soundtrack!) but can be replaced by the new owner if desired. As with many California cars, the dashboard has suffered from heat damage at some point in it’s life, and cracks are visible but have been repaired. The car does come with a currently unfitted dash cover which the new owner can then decide to fit to cover this damage if desired.
Mechanical
Mechanically, this S30 240Z really shines. The current owner has spared no expense in creating one of the most enjoyable driving experiences possible in a classic Z car. The engine was rebuilt in 2002, with a later L28 (2. 8 Litre) block being mated to the L24 (2. 4Litre) head and carbs (Refurbished themselves at a cost of over £1000 alone!) - This provides a larger displacement and power while retaining the characteristics of the original L24. In addition, the later L28 gearbox is used and this feeds power to a 260Z R200 differential, a common upgrade for S30 owners.
The standard Shocks and springs have been replaced by S30 specific ‘BC Racing’ coilovers, providing height, camber and dampening adjustability as a complete package. Power is put to the ground by the previously mentioned Rota wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan tyres. ‘Z-Story’ Strut Braces front and rear tighten the chassis and connect everything together, while a ‘Z-Story’ fast road manifold and exhaust system provide the soundtrack. Cooling is taken care of via a ‘Mishimoto’ radiator and hoses - Again, no expense has been spared in putting together one of the most complete and enjoyable packages possible in an S30.
History
This vehicle benefits from a huge history folder, even detailing it’s life while in the US (Often lost with an imported vehicle).
2 UK Owners
33, 000 Miles (Believed to be true and backed up by existing paperwork, but of course cannot be verified)
Tax & MOT Exempt (Although has been regularly MOT’d since restoration)
HPI Clear
Photo album highlighting build phases throughout the restoration
Large number of Invoices present
Copy of US Title present
Walk around video available. National Delivery can be arranged. Part Exchange Welcome. Viewing strictly by appointment.
While we try and take the time to describe the car as thoroughly as possible, as always with a classic car there are quirks that cannot reasonably uncovered by us here - Although, it’s these quirks that make us fall in love with classic cars! Please do consider this when purchasing a classic vehicle.
