1973 Datsun 240Z Roadster / Speedster Corvette FI Motor

Make:	Datsun
Model:	Z-Series
Type:	Convertible
Trim:	Custom Roadster
Year:	1973
Mileage:	5,000
VIN:	HLS30164519
Color:	White
Transmission:	Manual
Drive type:	6spd 300zx rear
Interior color:	Tan
Vehicle Title:	Clear
Item location:	Jacksonville, Florida, United States

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Description of 1973 Datsun Z-Series

I bought this 1973 Datsun 240Z Roadster close to a year ago because I had never seen one done like this. A Navy doctor was the previous owner and did most of the conversion work himself. He described to me how he wanted a Scarab style Z car and that he found this car and decided based on the condition of the car he would be better off converting it to a "Speedster" style car. No side glass. no top. just a mini Cobra if you will. So he found a donor car and took the 6spd transmission. Chevy Corvette style TPI LT! style motor and a 300zx rear chunk and started building himself a cool car. He braced all of the sub structure. added the correct style motor mounts and transmission mounts. used the tips he picked up from books and forums on how to brace everything. and make sure that the car stayed straight and would be fun to drive. He redid the clutch. added upgraded MSD box and replaced the hydraulic brake and clutch systems. The car drives pretty good for as long as it has been sitting. He got to the back of the car and after looking at the kit he had purchased for cutting the top off. he decided that a permanent tounneau cover was not for him. so he scoured the junk yards and discovered that a 1969 firebird trunk lid and deck would come close to fitting. and that is what he did. The trunk is large enough to hold a small set of luggage or two show chairs and a small cooler. perfect for a fun. cruising hotrod. He also shaved the outside door handles since you now open the doors with the inside handle. True speedster style!Well. 12 years later. the Doctor decides that the car has sat in his garage long enough with out moving and he and his wife decided to go in a different direction on car toys and they buy a MR2 Spyder. so the old project has to go. I see the car in the local trades. run right over and buy it in the dark. That is where I start my vision for the project. The fuel system was somewhat rough. since the fuel tank as a outboard boat motor tank and it was just loose in the truck and the HP fuel lines were running through the passenger compartment right next to the positive battery cable! I did not like that. so we re-routed the fuel line under the car in a protective rail so they will not get damaged by any road debris. I added a 11 gallon aluminum fuel cell from Summit and a High Output FI pump. relocated the battery to the trunk as well. I cut out the spare tire well in the truck to give me enough room underneath the car to run a central exit dual exhaust system. The stock fuel tank was trashed long ago. so I took it out and I had some PYPES Baffled Stainless Exhaust tips and we are using them as the mufflers. the exhaust is loud and nasty. just like the lil HotRod should be. but there is room to add small mufflers if you wanted. I also built a custom roll bar that acts as a added strut bar across the rear to help in giving the car more structure and some added sense of protection. The 205/70R x 14" tires that were on the car were dry rotted and flat spotted from sitting so long. so I replaced them with Kuhmo brand tires the same size. from Tire Rack. They have been professionally mounted and balanced and should last for a long while. The exterior of the car was dressed up with new headlights with built in turn signals. I had the original turn signals shaved and we repaired the front valance where it had seen too many parking curbs in a past life. The rear bumper is fiberglass and it is mounted on composite blocks and is eye appealing. but would offer little to no crash protection. but it does clean up the rear end. I have front bumperettes and they can be mounted to give the front end a early 70's Camaro RS look. Brakes work well. trans shifts smooth through all 6 speeds. motor runs well but is cold natured. needs to be tuned on a computer I would guess. The interior is a bit rough. I have all of the gauges. just not installed. All of the lights work. turn signals. brake lights. horn. dash lights. This is a project that you can drive and work on at the same time. The body is also in a presentable stage. but no means show ready. We filled the old exhaust hole through the rear valance. we filled the gas door on the passenger side and we repaired some dents and rust up on the drivers side fender / hood area. the floor boards need a couple of small areas patched for holes. but other than that. there is no major rust anywhere. the body is overall very solid. I also have new valve covers for the motor. a larger front valance. the front bumpers. a full set of coilover shocks. door panels and other misc. items that go with the car. Plus all of the books for the body conversion and shop manuals. I'm selling the car because my wife is on me to devote more attention to her 1957 Buick Sport Coupe and I also just bought a 2015 Polaris SlingShot and that has become my newest passion. so this toy has to go. Good luck bidding and please feel free to ask me any questions. I reserve the right to end the auction early due to having this car listed in local papers. There is no warranty on this vehicle. it is used and I have done the best I can to describe it accurately and truthfully. Look at my profile. I am aa avid HotRodder who builds his toys. gets tired of them and moves them out at reasonable prices so I can go to the next project.