1971 Datsun 240Z Series I * ONE OWNER * EXTENSIVE DOCUMENTATION * ALL ORIGINAL *

ONE OF THE MOST HIGHLY DOCUMENTED SERIES I 240Zs IN EXISTENCE. ONE OF THE LAST PRODUCED. DOCUMENTED ONE OWNER. DEALERSHIP MAINTAINED SINCE NEW, INCLUDING RECENT MECHANICAL REFRESHING DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP. 375 PHOTOS AND THREE VIDEOS AVAILABLE.

See the videos here:

https://youtu.be/K6LGgj04KTo

https://youtu.be/7Wt3UTp2QRo

https://youtu.be/KY0n61H2-kU

Possibly the most well-documented example available. Every receipt dating all the way back to when the original owner placed the order for the car from the selling dealership is included in the sale. This complete car is the ideal candidate for restoration as all parts are retained and little will need to be sourced. This is a very very late production Series I (produced after the 01/1971 cutoff date as documented) and is noted by Datsun historians to be among the very last of the Series I's produced.

They’re only original once. This 1971 Datsun 240Z is an unrestored example that remained with its original owner in longterm climate-controlled storage from 1990 until late 2016. its numbers-matching 2.4-liter inline-six paired to a 4-speed manual gearbox, the car was completed in February 1971 and was one of the final Series 1 240Zs built.

This example was purchased new in Colorado before being relocated to Texas in 1981, where it was retitled by the original owner. Freshening of its fuel and ignition systems has since been performed along with other work detailed in the service receipts. Modifications are limited to period dealer-installed accessories and the car comes with extensive documentation from new which are included in a image gallery of nearly 400 photos. The car is sold with a bill of sale and a clean Texas title.

Early Z features include C-pillar badging as well as twin hatch vents and a vertical rear-window defroster. Dealer-installed items include side moldings, front and rear bumper bars, and Appliance deep-dish aluminum mesh wheels. Brand new tires were just installed. Original windshield wipers remain but are missing their blades, and rubber seals have expired throughout. The comprehensive set of photographs documents condition of brightwork, lenses, badging, hardware, and Nissan-etched glass.

A stock look is retained inside with pebbled vinyl seats and diamond-pattern liners along with a factory three-spoke wheel, wood shift knob, and original Hitachi AM radio. A dealer-installed ARA air conditioning system is also present. Age is shown through tears in the seat bottoms, splits in the dash, and wear in the carpets, which are lifted to reveal floor panels in both the passenger compartment and cargo areas.

Factory gauges include an early speedo that starts at 20 mph as well as a five-digit odometer indicating just under 23k miles, which is assumed inaccurate due to mechanical limits which is also reflected in the service records. A full-sized factory spare is present under the cargo floor.

The 2.4-liter inline-six is original per the chassis tag and included sales documentation, and photos show it is fitted with an E31 cylinder head. The engine and 4-speed manual transmission were filled with military-spec fluids before storage in a bid toward longterm preservation. All have since been replaced with fresh fluids including engine oil, brake, and clutch hydraulic fluid, as well as transmission and differential oils. The engine stamping can be seen in the included gallery.

Recent mechanical freshening has been performed by a Datsun specialist using globally-sourced NOS parts. Fuel system work included adjustment of the twin Hitachi carburetors, removal and resealing of the fuel tank, and replacement of the fuel lines, pump, and filter. The oil pan has been replaced and the ignition system has been cleaned and given a new coil and battery. The engine has five-plus hours of run time since the work was performed and is verified to start quickly when cold, even after several days of non-use. Additionally, it has logged several miles of street use since refreshing.

Surface corrosion is noted on the undercarriage, which is extensively photographed including close-ups of affected areas. The car has been treated to a recent mechanical refreshing and brake service and is currently being driven on public roads. This Datsun has been relocated from our private warehouse in rural East Texas and is in the hands of one of our business partners in the Houston area where it can be curated and looked after on a daily basis. It is regularly exercised responsibly on public roads by the curator and is still stored indoors (as it always has been) in a private facility.

FAQs:

Q: Are you a dealer?

A: Yes. As stated in the "Item Specifics," we are a dealer.

Q: Do I have to pay taxes?

A: Yes, in your home state. If you are in Texas, we will collect the taxes based on the final sales price. By placing a bid, the buyer agrees to pay remaining balance due (plus applicable fees and taxes) within 7 business days of the close of the auction. All financial transactions must be completed before delivery of the vehicle. Additional fees and taxes are not included and are in addition to the final sales price. Out of state buyers are responsible for all state, county, city taxes and fees, as well as title/registration fees in the state that the vehicle will be registered. If you chose not to register the vehicle, your home state may offer a "title only" where you do not have to register the vehicle. Once we complete the transaction, we will provide the title to out of state residents and it is solely their responsibility to complete the tax transaction in their home state/country.

Q: You mention more photos. Where can I find them?

A: We are Fast Lane Direct and we are located in Texas. The additional photos are hosted on our website. We are easy to find through a web search.

Q: Is the paint original?

A: It is believed to be "mostly original." There are some panels that are assumed to have previous paint work, but 80% of the paint is said to be factory original.

Q: Is there rust present?

A: Very little and what is there is minor, especially given the nature of these cars. Mostly surface rust with an area showing more rot in the driver's door jamb included in the additional photos. There is no rust under the battery, on the original cowl or on the deck lid where water channels down from the rear window. These are all "problem areas" for Z-cars. The floor pans are solid, and as noted, there is surface corrosion on the undercarriage.

Q: Is it standard or automatic?

A: Yes, we have really been asked this question, which was quite perplexing. We really haven’t given it much thought, but the Datsun does have a clutch pedal that works, and a console mounted hand lever stick shifter with selectable forward gears mated to a gearbox which also includes a reverse and neutral setting. It has a working parking brake to hold the car safely in place when the ignition is in the “off” position.

Q: What condition was it in when you found it?

A: Most of the photos on our website are of the car just as we found it. We wanted to represent the car exactly as it was discovered and document the car as it was found.

Q: Is the mileage accurate?

A: No. The extensive documentation suggests that the odometer is on it's second lap.

Q: "Extensive documentation." What documentation do you have?

A: We have every document since before the car was delivered to the customer when it was brand-new. This includes the original customer order form, original window sticker, delivery payment receipts, and every service that has been done since, including the most recent refreshing which was done at a Nissan dealership by a legacy Datsun mechanic who still owns proprietary factory tools specific to these vehicles.

Q: Is there a title?

A: Yes, it has the title still in the name of the original owner. The title is a Texas title from when the original owner moved to Texas in 1981. It is signed and notarized (Texas no longer notarizes titles). We can reassign the accompanying title or provide a bill of sale if the next owner chooses to keep the originality intact.

Q: What happened to the passenger side?

A: The previous owner's daughter was backing it out of the garage and came in contact with a residential retaining wall built of landscape timbers. This was going to be her car but the owner decided to store it shortly afterwards which is when it went into long term storage.

Q: How was the car stored?

A: The owner had the car professionally stored replacing all fluids with military spec fluids for long term preservation. The car was stored indoors and off the ground in a climate controlled facility. It is now in the hands of one of our business partners in the Houston area who is looking after the car daily and responsibly exercising it regularly.

Q: What's needs to be done?

A: Depends on if you want a concours restoration or a decent driver. This car is a dream come true for a restorer as it is very solid, almost completely rust free, and "all there." It is also a dream come true for the enthusiast as a driver's car that needs very little. The dash is cracked, which is very common on these cars, and the driver's seat bottom is torn. This has not been replaced because we could not find material that would 100% match the passenger seat, so the decision was made leave the choice to the next owner.

Q: If that's all that needs to be done, why didn't you restore it?

A: Once you start the process, where do you stop? We are not in the restoration business nor do we pretend to be. We are selling the car "as is, where is" and have done our absolute best to describe it. We are not interested in tying up money for months or years, sourcing any parts, and managing any restoration projects. We did what needed to be done in terms of getting the car back to running and driving condition. We recently replaced the rear brake cylinder along with a mechanical refreshening.

Q: Unrestored. Oh, you must have gotten it for free?

A: No, we actually had to pay for it, it wasn't cheap, and it was a lengthy process of relationship building with the seller. This was an emotional endeavor for the selling party and they knew the value of what they had.

Q: I thought this car met reserve last time it was offered on eBay?

A: It did! I reserve was very reasonable and it met reserve and Terry M of Iowa was the proud winner of this very car. Terry M is now banned from eBay from bidding on any of my auctions. Needless to say, as the winner of the auction, he did not complete the sale nor did he ever contact us which seems to be a growing trend here on eBay. There is a term for these types of bidders which eBay does not allow us to publish. He is one of those. Thanks Terry M for wasting my time and money on the previous listing.

Q: How much is the reserve?

A: Reasonable and much less than we were originally seeking. We have offered the car privately and put deals together that fall through for whatever reason. Most of the time it is tire kickers who are looking to sharpen their negotiating skills with no intention of finishing a deal with anyone. It's time to find a buyer and we'll let the bids handle the negotiations.

Q: This is exactly what I have been looking for! Can I buy it now?

A: You can place a bid through eBay which alone will be a barometer of your level of commitment. If we do not find a successful buyer, we will consider the high bid through eBay, whatever it may be, and we will let the bidding speak for itself on this one. We do not want to keep listing and listing and listing and listing and listing until we find a buyer so we have made the reserve fair and market-correct.

Q: I have a buyer for my rare tricked out caboose once owned by Harry S. Truman with 24k gold walls, whale foreskin seats, and the same floors that are in Trump Tower I am selling. Can we finish the deal when I get the money next week?

A: No. Don't bid unless you have the funds ready. Before the close of the sale is a good time to ask your husband, wife, girlfriend, parents, parole officer, Miss Cleo, or your Magic 8 Ball before you commit to buy.

Q: Oh, you're just a dealer trying to flip it and make money?

A: Yes, we like to make a profit although that is not always the case. A lot of time went into the sourcing, acquisition, and mechanical sorting of this car and we are not running a Datsun charity. Do we need to make a whole grip of cash like the guys on television that hoot and holler a lot? No, that is not our goal nor is that reality. Many exclusive and significant vehicles pass through our possession with no fanfare. That is the way we like it. We are simply trying to bring buyer and seller together in a transparent way.

Q: Can I come look at it?

A: Of course! You are more than welcome to come inspect it or send out a third party inspection service. There is nothing to hide and we encourage inspections. This vehicle has been relocated and is in the hands of one of our business partners in the Houston area where it can be curated and looked after on a daily basis.

Q: Can I buy it and then renegotiate when I come to pick it up?

A: If we have inaccurately represented the vehicle, that is our fault and we will take responsibility. If you have made unrealistic assumptions and are looking to play a "gotcha game," that is not our fault and we will not take responsibility. We are fair and transparent with 100% positive feedback, not only here, but with other platforms we use to market vehicles. Our customers are always satisfied with their purchases and the way our vehicles are represented.

Q: I want to buy it but I live in Angle, Minnesota and you are in Texas. Will you knock some off the price because I have to ship it really far away?

A: No, but we will help you arrange shipping at your expense. We ship cars weekly and get awesome rates with pretty prompt pickup times because we always have vehicles coming and going. You are welcome to book your own transportation or pick it up in person.

Q: This is exactly what I have been looking for! I saw this Series I on your website. Will you take half of what you were asking?

A: If that is the case, there are plenty of basketcase Datsuns out there in your price range. One of those may be a better fit for your restoration skill set and budget.

Q: I thought you were asking too much. Can I contact you to give you my amateur opinion on what it is worth?

A: No. We have listened to the market and set a fair reserve. If you feel the reserve is unfair, there are other Datsuns out there. This is not the only one so you are welcome to simply pass and focus your bidding/purchasing efforts on another example.

Q: Wow! Can I give you my opinion on what I think it cost to restore it or what I could restore it for?

A: No. We are very pleased that you are passionate about the car, but our goal is to facilitate the sale of this vehicle to the next owner. Self-proclaimed Datsun expert and time-bandit “Scrappydoo” Damico would love to waste your time telling you exactly what it needs and what it will cost. He has never seen the car, but he telepathically knows what every Datsun needs because he has restored one, yes one, Datsun.

Q: Can I waste a bunch of your time telling you how I would do the restoration and what all I would do to it if I had the money to buy it?

A: No, we have done the best we can to be forthcoming and accurate with our photos and descriptions. We’ve already had enough time wasted and don’t have time for additional inaccuracies and unverified assumptions. If you like to waste time too, you and Scrappy should get together. On a serious note, we love hearing from our customers and seeing vehicles that we have sold after a restoration or build has been done, but what you want to do in your bedroom and with the car before you pony up the cash is your business.

Q: Speaking of cash, my PaPaw used to tell me about all the stellar deals only available to him by paying cash for Granny’s new Ford LTDs which were rare and “limited” to the maximum number of units that the factory could produce. I like to kill time by asking a lot of dealers, “what’s your cash price?” because the dealers would sell PaPaw those brand-new LTDs for about half price. I haven’t been very successful yet, but PaPaw was a great negotiator and tells me anything could be bought for pennies on the dollar with cash. Granny loved her LTDs; those 20-million examples produced were really exclusive cars. Anyway, what’s your cash price?

A: Considering we don’t take Bitcoin or bearer bonds, we assume you’re going to pay using cash or a method of payment that is comparable. The price you bid is the price you’ll pay regardless of how you pay. This isn’t the 1970’s; it really doesn’t matter to us if you’re pulling out C-notes, sending a legitimate non-Nigerian bank wire, or if your bank strokes a check. As long as whatever you give us clears the bank, it really doesn’t matter.

Q: How much would my payments be?

A: That would be between you and your bank. We are not a "note lot." Yes, we do have a lender who will loan on the car. You will need very good to excellent credit and roughly 10% down. Before the close of the auction would be the time to begin this process if you are unsure of your credit history.

Q: What’s the lowest you’ll take?

A: What’s the most you will pay?

Q: I see these for sale all the time. There are three of them for sale in front of the local Texaco for really cheap with less miles, a later production date, and way more documentation including a preproduction sketch of one of the cars on ancient rice paper done by Yutaka Katayama in 1942. One of the others has a RB26DETT swap and 21" wide platinum wheels with awesome Carbon Signal flares for $1,600 or trade for Boer Goat. Can I buy yours for the price of one of those or trade yours for a goat?

A: No. Go down and buy one of those before they get away.

Q: Wow! I looked it up and book value on these are really low. Will you sell it to me for book value?

A: You may try to buy one from one of the "book" publishers. They must have a lot of cars in stock, except for Audi A3 TDIs which are selling for $20,000-plus and book for about $10,000; that’s if you can find one that’s been for sale for more than three hours.

Q: I saw one exactly like this sell at one of the auctions on television. Will you take half of what that one sold for?

A: It wasn't this one. You should register to bid next time.

Q: This is exactly what I have been looking for! Do you have more photos?

A: Yes. On our website which isn't hard to find. We are Fast Lane Direct and located in Texas.

Q: Didn't you already answer the question before about where to find the photos?

A: Yes. If we mention it 100 times, someone will still ask for more photos. If you need something specific, feel free to ask and we will gladly do whatever we can to accommodate, but a generic message that says "do you have more photos?" has already been answered.

BIDDER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR INSPECTIONS AND VERIFICATION OF CONDITION, AUTHENTICITY, AND COMPLETENESS OF ANY VEHICLE PURCHASED. BIDDER/BUYER EXPRESSLY AGREES NOT TO RELY ON THE DESCRIPTION BUT THEIR OWN RESEARCH AND INSPECTION. NO WARRANTIES OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, OF ANY TYPE WHATSOEVER ARE MADE BY FAST LANE DIRECT OR ANY OF THEIR REPRESENTATIVES. FURTHER, NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FOR FITNESS ARE MADE. BIDDERS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND THE RESPONSIBILITY AND ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO RESEARCH THE VEHICLES PRIOR TO THE SALE AND CONDUCT THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION OF ANY VEHICLE, ACCOMPANYING SPARE PARTS, DOCUMENTATION, RESTORATION RECEIPTS, AND OWNERSHIP DOCUMENTS RELATING TO A VEHICLE PROVIDED BY THE FORMER OWNER TO FAST LANE DIRECT. BIDDERS ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE TO SATISFY THEMSELVES, PRIOR TO BIDDING, AS TO THE CONDITION OF ANY VEHICLE AND ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY DESIRED OR NECESSARY REPAIRS, RESTORATION OR MISSING PART, YEAR OR AGE, SIZE, SERIAL NUMBER, MAKE, MODEL, OPTIONS, TOOLS, PREVIOUS USE OR OWNERSHIP, PROVENANCE, DOCUMENTS, MANUFACTURING OR RESTORATION PROCESS, DAMAGE, GENUINENESS, ATTRIBUTION, RARITY, OR HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. FAST LANE DIRECT SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY REPAIRS, RESTORATION, REPLACEMENT OF ANY PARTS, OR ANY OTHER MATTER. BY PARTICIPATING IN THE AUCTION, EACH BIDDER/BUYER EXPRESSLY WAIVES, AND AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT SEEK ANY RECOVERY FROM, OR PURSUE ANY CLAIM AGAINST, FAST LANE DIRECT RELATING TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, FOR REPAIRS, RESTORATION OR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS. BUYERS SHOULD NOTE THAT MOTOR VEHICLES SOLD ARE INTENDED AS COLLECTOR'S ITEMS AND MAY NOT BE SUITABLE TO PROVIDE DAILY TRANSPORTATION AND FAST LANE DIRECT SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE AGE, NATURE, AND CONDITION OF THESE VEHICLES MAKES IT LIKELY THAT MAJOR COMPONENTS MAY HAVE BEEN MODIFIED, REPLACED, RESTORED OR REPAIRED.