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1971 Datsun 240z Road-Going SCCA Race Car Many Rare & Desirable Vintage Racing Parts E31 Head, 5spd Close-Ratio, Magnesium Wheels, Konis, Bundle of Snakes Headers, Race Buckets, Half Cage, and Much More MODIFICATIONS LIST: Chassis: - Koni shocks - BRE Mulholland springs - BRE hard suspension bushings - BRE roll bars - Vented aluminum rear brakes - Hard pads and linings - Wheels: Magnesium American Racing Libres Engine: - 2.4L L24 Block - Flat top pistons - E31 head with large valves, port & polished, built by Ron Neal at Prototype Engineering in Wheeling, IL in 1972 - Race valve springs, heavy street cam - Fly cut cylinders to clear large valves - 3 Mikuni PHH Carbs, 2BBL - Velocity stacks - Bundle of Snakes custom headers - 2¾ inch exhaust Transmission/Differential: - 5 speed close-ratio. Believed to be a Datsun Roadster competition gearbox. - 4:11 Differential Interior: - Dino wheel - Crown Enterprises harness - Corbeau Seats - Autopower Industries half cage VIN: HLS3054335 H: L24 Motor L: Left Hand Drive S30: 240z 54335: Serial Number Evolve Motors and Chicago Car Club are pleased to present this 1971 Datsun 240z! We bought this savagely-quick 240z from a local gentleman who had owned it for a number of years before deciding to sell due to lack of use. He had another 240z as well; this one was his when-I-want-to-scare-myself car, while the other was an extremely clean and original example. He had grown out of the whole racecar-for-the-street approach and decided to shift his focus towards the latter. He contacted us asking if we would potentially be interested in taking the car off his hands; when we went to his house and took the car for a blast through the neighborhood we were instantly smitten. Since taking possession of the car a couple months ago, we’ve put about 200 miles on it, a combination of highway mileage and residential/city driving. The car is much more at home on open roads (or a track) that allow it to be wound out. Around the city the car is a bit tedious to drive, as you would expect from a vintage race car. Steering is heavy at low speeds, and the suspension is extremely stiff, making speedbumps a bit of an event. While the car is an absolute blast to drive in every respect, it could use some minor sorting to make it a truly excellent example. There is a bit of a stumble in the low end of the rev range; for example, if you’re in third gear at 30mph and go to stomp on the gas pedal, the car will stutter a bit in pulling itself up into the powerband. It’s nothing of major concern, and can easily be managed by running with the choke half out, but it’s worth noting. When the power really comes on, at right about 3500rpm, the car pulls extremely hard. The power output is very impressive, we’d estimate somewhere around 270-280hp. The engine itself has proven to be in healthy running order over these last couple months; in the 200 or so miles we’ve driven the car, it has never gotten hot or had any trouble whatsoever. The backstory of the car, as it has been described to us, is that the car was modified from new (in 1972) by Prototype Engineering in Wheeling, IL and built to SCCA spec. At the time, Prototype Engineering was run by Ron Neal, renown Alfa and Datsun guru turned NASCAR master tech. There the car received an extensive amount of mechanical modifications, including an early e31 head with large valves, ported and polished, with race valve springs and a heavy street cam. Cylinders were fly cut to clear the large valves, and Mikuni PHH carbs with custom linkage were fitted. The car also received velocity stacks, custom Bundle of Snakes exhaust headers, and an “ultra-close” 5-speed, which we have come to believe is a Datsun Roadster competition unit. For anyone in-the-know of the vintage Datsun racing community, the fact that this car was a subject of Ron Neal’s at Prototype Engineering will speak to the quality of the craftsmanship of the car’s internals. Exterior: While the exterior does present quite well, it isn’t perfect. In direct sunlight the paint shows its age in a few spots by way of some light spider-webbing, in addition to a handful of small chips, remnants of the car’s original lime green (112 yellow), and a stain from fuel running down from the filler cap. While there are some chips and minor blemishes, there is also a whole lot of good. The chrome is excellent throughout, with no oxidation in the slightest. The car will also come with a spare freshly chromed rear bumper. All glass is clear and crack free, as are all lights. Wheels are phenomenally cool and suit the car perfectly. They are an early set of magnesium American Racing Libre wheels, identifiable as magnesium by their grainy texture. The car could definitely use a set of new tires; we’ve refrained from putting new rubber on, as we’ll leave it up to the buyer as to how aggressive of a compound they would like to go for. If a buyer would like to order tires and ship them to our shop, we would be happy to mount them prior to delivering the car. Interior: The interior looks great. It’s the perfect combo of street and race. Seats are Corbeau race units, which are supportive and plenty comfortable, with a Crown Enterprises race harness on the driver side and standard lap/shoulder belts on the passenger side. There is an Autopower Industries half cage in the rear, which provides structural rigidity as well as additional protection in the event of a rollover. The stock dash is in excellent condition, with no cracking or sun-bleaching whatsoever. The Dino steering wheel looks great with the yellow Datsun centercap. Lights and signals work, as does the original radio and speakers, both front and rear defrost, heat, handbrake, and all gauges. The car will come with a set of black rubber 240z-branded floormats. Odometer currently reads 14,590 and is functional. True mileage unknown. Underbody/Under the Hood: Please take a good look through the photos, as the car is documented in detail. Underneath, the car looks pretty good. Floors and rockers are in great shape, though we do note one spot of rust forming on the front right frame rail. Under the hood, this thing is gorgeous! The trumpets, or velocity stacks, are just great to look at. This is a car that if you are going to bring it to a show, you may as well leave the hood at home. What lies under the hood is what makes this car so special. On the road, this car is an absolute hoot. It gets constant thumbs up from passing traffic (or traffic being passed!), and the exhaust note will have you downshifting and gunning it at every opportunity. This is undoubtedly one of the best sounding cars we’ve ever had the pleasure of winding out. The car always starts right up first turn, and stays cool no matter what you throw at it. The close-ratio gearbox allows you to fly through the gears with ease. Overall: As it sits, this is a phenomenally fun car that can serve as a mean street car or a capable track star. It’s stiff and tight, loud and powerful. With the 5 point harness buckled up tight, the hug of the Corbeau seats, the roll cage in your mirror, and the sweet, sweet sound of the Bundle of Snakes exhaust, the car is sure to put a big smile on your face. Take a look at the video of the car running through the gears, and be sure to have the volume up! With any additional questions or to discuss purchasing, don’t hesitate to reach out to Jake at .
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