A copy of my car was on BAT

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
10/21/2020 at 18:24 • Filed to: Datsun 240Z

This was an interesting experience. This is a series 1, 5/70 build date. White/blue color combo, a g ood history, with lots of work hiving been recently done . I saw s ome questionable condition issues with the body and paint, rust in odd areas, some repair work to the rocker panels and a re-spra y . IMHO better condition than my car although they have done a lot of restoration work including motor out rebuild and some paint work. My car has never been painted and the motor has never been rebuilt. M y under hood hardware is mostly original and it shows it’s age . I do appreciate the effort that was take to keep this example original under the hood. Some of these parts are impossible to find anymore.

This example b id to $46,000 and the reserve was not met. Frankly I didn’t think it would break $30k with the body condition issues. I guess that bods well for my car’s future value and the value of 240Z’s going into the future.

When my dad and I were slinging old Z’s back in the 1990's we had no idea that they would ever end up being high dollar collector cars. We just liked them because they were cheap, easy to work on, and were actually fun to drive and race. To this day I think the most either of us has spent on a 240 was $3,000 that my dad spent on his ‘71 safari gold 240 around 1992. We got the white car that I currently have for $2,000 in 2005.

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DISCUSSION (24)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 18:54

Hindsight is 20/20 and it’s better to be lucky than good.

You could find FJ60 and 80 Land Cruisers on craigslist all day long back in 2010-2015 for what now looks like nothing.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/21/2020 at 19:06

It’s crazy. We junked a car that could easily fetch $10k today. At the time the rust repair was out of my league and I didn’t have time or money for it.

onlytwowheels > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 19:12

Makes me wonder what a factory restored 240z would fetch th ese days.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 19:14

So gloriously basic. I like the factory wheels.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > onlytwowheels
10/21/2020 at 19:14

The few that Nissan restored have sold for 70-100k. So far the highest is a $310k sale for a museum quality car.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 19:16

In ‘15 when I bought my Celica instead of this SC400, the SC400 is already “worth” at least double and the Celica is a Celica

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/21/2020 at 19:21

My dad sold a set of these hub caps this summer for $500, he used that to buy his 16” Koenig rewinds. He probably could have gotten more.

onlytwowheels > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 19:22

I went to the registry for the factory restored Z cars, and I see there are 3 owned by the same person...... wish I took advantage of it when it was being done. I believe they were being sold for $25K, which is about what I was paying for a new truck at the time.

http://www.zhome.com/IZCC/ZRegisters/VintageZ.htm

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 19:32

But how many years would you have had to store it?

I’d love a chance just to take that BaT 240 for a mildly spirited drive sometime. It would be on my very short list of cars I’d really like to drive. Along with a 400/4sp Trans Am from about 1978. And maybe a Maserati Quatroporte and a Cadillac CTS-V.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
10/21/2020 at 19:34

That was around 2000, so 20 years ago. Yeah we’ll get you some seat time either me or another oppo. They really are an experience to drive and probably why I’m so let down when I drive other “sports cars”.

Jim Spanfeller > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 20:19

When I bought my T-bird a couple years ago, they were selling in good shape for $5,000-$7,000. Now it seems they’re starting to go up in value, and a decent one costs more like $8,000-$10,000 these days, while a really good one can be over 20 grand. It seems to me that what’s happening here is that as all the popular classic cars like Mustangs and E-types started being bought up by rich boomers, the values went through the roof so that nobody who actually wants to drive them can afford them. As a result, people start looking for more obscure, overlooked, but still cool classic cars and they start buying those. But as soon as the people selling those cars realize that there’s suddenly demand for them, they start jacking up the prices until those cars are no longer affordable, and the cycle continues, presumably until all the boomers die and the market is flooded with cheap, cool classic cars. But in the meantime, it’s getting harder and harder to find affordable classic cars. I’m lucky I was able to buy mine when I did. I remember when 240Zs like yours were considered fun entry-level classic cars, but those days are long gone... I fear the days of cheap Thunderbirds are numbered as well.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > onlytwowheels
10/21/2020 at 20:23

I looked at photos of the Pierre z’s that were restored and they are okay but honestly they could have been much better. Simple things like sagging vinyl interior coverings and some newer style brake parts that are not period correct.

onlytwowheels > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 20:30

Possibly why only 37 were sold, instead of the 200 that were planned.

jeepoftheseus > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
10/21/2020 at 20:59

When I was in high school rough but non-rusty later Broncos and Grand Wagoneers could be had in the $800-$1500 range. That was in the late 2000’s. It’s amazing what deals could be had when gas was high and mpgs were low.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Jim Spanfeller
10/21/2020 at 21:06

I’ve never understood why the thunderbird is valued so low. Seems like you can still get a nice example for $20k. I thought the ones from the 50’s and 60’s were instant classics.

Jim Spanfeller > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 21:22

The ones from the mid 50s are about as pricey as you would expect, with the ones from the late 50s/early 60s being slightly less expensive, and then the “bullet birds” being I think the second most expensive. Fourth-gens like mine are the last of the “small” ‘birds, and the most often overlooked. It really is a fantastic car with beautiful styling, and I don’ t know why it hasn’t gotten expensive yet. Maybe just because it’s not a muscle car and doesn’t accelerate like one? But wherever I take it, it looks right at home among cars that cost tens of thousands of dollars more, and most people can’t tell the difference. It’s a bargain for sure. Glad I got one before collectors discover them...

thatsmr > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/21/2020 at 22:59

Really wanted a 240/260/280 in high school (1980s) but after a couple dishonest sellers bought an Opel GT. I do regret selling my 72 Alfa GTV running driving rustbucket 20 years ago for $450 though

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/22/2020 at 00:09

I think you'd have to find something italian from the 60s to approximate it. So gloriously basic.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/22/2020 at 09:35

Well done.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > onlytwowheels
10/22/2020 at 09:38

Makes me wonder why more companies aren’t doing high quality repros.

According to SEMA, the final regulations will allow low-volume automakers to sell up to 325 cars each year that resemble production vehicles manufactured at least 25 years ago. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board have issued guidelines and regulations covering the engine packages to be installed in these replica vehicles.

onlytwowheels > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/22/2020 at 09:59

I believe licensing fees to the original manufacturer are involved, which most likely involves building the product first and submitting for approval.

I believe this is how all the first gen Camaro/Firebird/Mustang/Bronco have been done.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/22/2020 at 15:37

This is the problem with car auctions they are really good at jacking prices up to the sky.

Just Jeepin' > jeepoftheseus
10/22/2020 at 22:49

Psst. How close are you to Walkertown?

https://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/826406551/overview/

jeepoftheseus > Just Jeepin'
10/23/2020 at 07:42

That’s a good looking example. That’s about 100 miles from me and I’m booked all weekend unfortunately. Might could call the shop that he said he uses in the and and get a good opinion of it.

It’s a good sign when they say in the ad, and the price is reasonable, why they are selling and that they want to go to a good home.