Archives for January 2016

Quick on the heels of the previous Datsun to cross the block, Lot #349 is a 1973 240Z finished in 114 Brown Metallic with the love-it-or-hate-it Butterscotch interior. Unfortunately, we had to check this one out on-the-fly, as it was being moved when we observed it.

Click to view: Lot #349, 1973 Datsun 240Z

Remember how I said earlier, “They’re only original once”? I’d have loved to see this one before its repaint. With only 50k miles, it couldn’t have been in rough shape – but then again, the seller DID include pictures of the car in a snowy location (Pro tip: Don’t do that) and it came from Oklahoma.

The factory front and rear bumper overriders are a great period-correct piece, and really complement the Z shape in my opinion. The restorer didn’t get the rear taillight panel color correct, but that’s easily remedied. NOTE: This seller doesn’t misuse the word “restored,” so he or she gets the benefit of the doubt on this car!

Hubcaps are correct and intact, and while they’re faded from their original finish, they’re becoming harder and harder to find in good condition. Definitely a value-adder here, as are the correct-size tires. Lenses, exterior hardware, and emblems all appeared factory-fresh, giving this car an understated air of authenticity and value.

An uncracked dash and generally honest, well-maintained interior give this car a lot more provenance in my eyes than the orange one we looked at earlier.

Underhood, the car looks much as it would have when new, and no modifications were evident that would detract from the value.

The buyer did well to pull the trigger on this car. I suspect the brown paint turned off a few less-educated buyers, and that’s just fine. Let them chase their shiny red Z cars. This one crossed the block at $20,900.00, making it my choice as the best Datsun bargain of the auction.

Last but not least, a little bonus for you guys – Even though Barrett-Jackson couldn’t identify it properly as a Datsun, we can, and it’s up next: Datsun at Barrett-Jackson Lot #49 – 1983 Datsun 720 King Cab Pickup

Lot #317 takes us back into the S130 series with another 2+2 car, this one a 1980 280ZX.

With an alleged 6,000 miles since restoration, this Satin Blue car had a manual transmission and was originally sold in Oklahoma City.

Click to view: Lot #317, 1980 Datsun 280ZX

I’m going to give the seller the benefit of the doubt here, but there’s clearly a misunderstanding of the meaning of the word “restoration.” Let’s save ourselves the minutiae and call this what it really was: A repaint. A repaint in one of Datsun’s best colors, but a repaint. That’s all.

In all fairness, the S130 market isn’t yet supporting the level of restoration goodies that S30 owners have been enjoying of late. Still, lots of overlooked details, overspray, masking failures, and general sloppiness marred an otherwise handsome car.

A little extra attention to detail (and a more professional repaint) would have made this one a candidate to add to the collection, but they’re only original once. This one will make a great entry-level car for someone getting into the Datsun scene.

The seller did just fine in offloading this one at $6,050.00.

Up next – Another S30 crosses the block and makes everyone happy: Datsun at Barrett-Jackson Lot #349 – 1972 240Z

Lot #172 represents what we’ve all expected to happen at one of the big auction houses all along… An early S30 restoration pulling a ridiculously-awesome premium, despite some misgivings.

According to the auction placard, this 1972 240Z underwent a recent restoration. “Driven 1,100 miles since restoration of original L24 engine, other mechanicals, rubber, trim, bumpers and interior. 4-speed manual transmission. Color matches factory original. Always garaged, never a daily driver.”

Click to view: Lot # 172, 1972 Datsun 240Z

Starting with a southern California example with over 162k miles, this restoration lists all of the parts replaced – which, to be fair, are all items that SHOULD be done on a proper Z restoration. “Replaced floor pans” would have raised a red flag for me… as someone who’s owned numerous southwestern S30s, a rust-free Z shouldn’t need floor pan replacement – but who knows, maybe they were dented.

The restorer can be forgiven the lowering springs and RetroSound radio – these are common upgrades, and shouldn’t diminish the value.

However, although the auction report lists a “replacement dash,” this car clearly wears a simple $100 plastic dash overlay. Inexcusable for a true restoration, as reproduction dashes are now readily available at Vintage Dashes for well under a grand. Lacking the beautiful original factory steering wheel is, likewise, inexcusable for an alleged “restoration.”

Incorrect seat fabric is a huge turn-off, but easily remedied by the next owner. The rest of the interior presented well, with fresh diamond-patterned vinyl and intact console, carpet mats, and door panels. You’ll have to excuse my noticing the door panels and door pulls are devoid of the factory brightwork. It’s a minor detail, but again, for the money this car commanded, those items should be expected to be correct. Fresh pedal pads and fresh rubber weatherstripping are always noticeable details – good job by the restorer.

Aftermarket wheels are simply a matter of taste, but correct steelies with restored factory hubcaps would have been a lot more impressive. I’d deduct points all day for the bargain-basement tires… At this point in our review, the concerns are growing, and the picture of a not-quite-professional restoration was coming into focus.

A review of the engine bay revealed impressive attention to detail in some areas, and overall laziness in others. Kudos for clean hardware, correct radiator cap, and rebuilt SU carburetors. However, the missing OEM air cleaner and belly pan, coupled with painted linkage and fuel rail, as well as missing manifold hardware, missing plug wire brackets, and deleted PCV system, are totally avoidable screwups. Oh, and if you’re going to use an aftermarket coil, take a few minutes and paint it black.

The bodywork and paint finish were quite nice – Although there’s no way of knowing what lurks beneath the utterly-smooth panels, let’s assume for a minute that the car started off straight and dry… Okay, ignoring the floor pan replacement won’t allow us that fantasy. Regardless, someone took the time to make sure this car presented well from the outside, and the 918 Orange paint (no, it wasn’t called Persimmon in ’72) was straight and glossy. A few maladjusted body panels tweaked the edge finish in a couple areas, causing me and nissangirl74 to cringe, but a Z that’s used properly (i.e. driven) is going to get some chips and scratches. Although the bumpers are described as “OEM replacements,” these were stainless aftermarket reproductions – and I’d argue they’re a great addition to this resto.

So, what’s an early S30 restoration go for these days? Well, it depends on the market, and this one was generous. In fact, so generous, that I’m stepping up my timeline to finish the Lime Yellow ’73 I’m currently restoring.

Hold onto your wood shift knob: This one kicked up Z cars worldwide with a hammer price of $40,700.00!

Is it all downhill from here? Maybe, maybe not – there are two more Datsuns to see at the auction!

The fifth Datsun at Barrett-Jackson this year: Datsun at Barrett-Jackson Lot #317 – 1980 280ZX

Lot #114 might make the Z purists cringe, but there she was, resplendent in all her 80’s four-seater “sure wish I was still a sports car” glory…

According to the placard on the car, we’re looking at an “All-original matching-numbers 280ZX purchased new in Arizona in 1982. Powered by an L28E 2.8-liter inline-6 electronic fuel-injected engine and automatic transmission. All-original paint and interior, 2+2 option.”

Truthfully, as a restorer and collector, I’d rather see a car like this than the prior couple. Why? Because it’s HONEST. While the couch-like velour seats, T-tops, automatic transmission and seating for four all detract from the sporting nature of a Z, this car at least wasn’t trying to be something it’s not. In fact, mark my words – for someone who just wants a clean example of Nissan’s venture into the land of grand tourers, this is the car to buy.

Click to view: Lot #114, 1983 Datsun 280ZX 2+2

Underhood, the car was clean, appearing to have had a recent steaming. The original paint means there’s nothing to hide – every scratch and scuff was on display, and this car had clearly been loved. Some questionable repairs to the lower body cladding appear to have occurred sometime in the past, and the ubiquitous dealer-installed “boat trim” body side moldings had clearly done their job in protecting the body lines. Aftermarket headlight covers smooth out a still-attractive front fascia, and the period-correct rear louvers add in a tiny amount of sporting flair.

The interior appeared lightly worn, and in an era when color combos got downright putrid, this silver-over-gray example had aged quite well. Loaded with every available option for its time, this one won’t look out-of-place at a Datsun meet or even at a local cruise night. Some light reconditioning and continued maintenance should keep this one on the road for years to come.


Bought well at $7,700.00 – I hope the buyer puts another 100k enjoyable miles on it.

You’re in for a treat – Check out the fourth Datsun at Barrett-Jackson this year: Datsun at Barrett-Jackson Lot #172 – 1972 240Z

Lot #79 represents another 280Z from the “malaise era” of the S30 – The big-bumpered fuel-injected cars. This one bore what appeared to be a recent paint job in bright metallic blue (Bayside Blue, anyone?), with the hood bulge painted black. The big bumpers had been removed in favor of a fiberglass body kit, which included side skirts and an oddly out-of-place carbon fiber spoiler.

Aftermarket projector headlights always seem awkward on a 70-78 Z car, but for the Z owners who haven’t yet discovered wiring their headlights through a relay, it’s an improvement upon the dim factory glass halogens.

A set of iron cross wheels may have been a slight upgrade from the original steelies back in 1983, but this was a zero-effort addition. Even a little paint or polish would have helped. Instead, the dull wheels simply emphasized the recency of the paint job (and the 1977 ride height).

This car’s saving grace: A carbureted, small-block GM V8 swap. Headers, a 4-barrel, and electronic ignition probably get this Z down the road with a quickness, but one has to wonder if anything else was done in preparation for the swap – after all, the hood latch and the distributor clearly aren’t getting along very well.

Click to view: Lot #24, 1977 Datsun 280Z Custom Coupe

The minimal description refers to “many performance modifications,” but we’re left to guess what those might be. A 5-speed manual transmission is alleged, but the shift boot didn’t make the journey to Scottsdale. The seller alleges that the car has always been garage-kept, but we’re not sure for how long.

The placard on the window states the car is “mostly restored,” and anyone who’s restored a Z knows there’s a lot of work involved. Most troubling? The overspray, poor masking of old, brittle rubber, and a complete disregard for the peeling chrome taillight surrounds and dull, scratched lenses. Given these issues, I’d describe this car as “repainted,” not “restored.” Replacement rubber is readily available for these cars, but the effort simply wasn’t made.

A stitched leather (or vinyl) dash is a handsome upgrade for the Z driver who doesn’t care about authenticity, and to be fair, keeping tabs on the engine via the extra gauges is probably a bigger priority.

Described as having spent most of its time in New Mexico, we can assume this one doesn’t suffer from the rust infestation that’s so common in the S30 chassis – Then again, Santa Fe is in New Mexico, and it’s not what we’d call an “arid desert.”

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that even though a V8 swap isn’t a cheap undertaking, the seller still got the better end of the deal here: Sold at $16,500.00.

Moving right along, the third Datsun at Barrett-Jackson this year: Datsun at Barrett-Jackson Lot #114 – 1983 280ZX

Lot #24 is a relatively nondescript 1977 280Z, wearing its original “federal” bumpers and a set of color-matched aftermarket 80’s-era alloy wheels.

The badly-swirled black paint desperately needed a professional cut and polish, and the fuel injection system appears to have been ditched in favor of a set of triple Webers, which most early Z fans will view as an improvement. In the “not an improvement” category: The faux braided steel hose covers that appeared to be a lazy afterthought.

Click to view: Lot #24, 1977 Datsun 280Z

Aftermarket seats and speaker holes in the door panels won’t present a “authenticity” issue for this car for another 10 years. After all, comfort is king, and S30 seats are notoriously uncomfortable for certain body types – and you’ve gotta have tunes, right? A maladjusted parking brake would have been an easily-tended detail for this car.

All in all, a handsome car from 20 feet away, and a good driver-status Z that one could take to a local meet without apologies. This one won’t grace the grounds at JCCS, but it looks like it’d handle a canyon cruise without incident.

We’re going to give the edge to the seller on this one: Sold at $14,850.00.

The second Datsun at Barrett-Jackson 2018: A 1977 280Z Custom Coupe.