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Nissan Authorized Restored Nissan
240Z's
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Z-Car Sales in the US
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|
1970
|
15,988
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|
1971
|
18,920
|
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1972
|
34,605
|
|
1973
|
47,199
|
|
1974
|
63,963
|
|
1975
|
31,151
|
|
1976
|
55,199
|
|
1977
|
67,331
|
|
1978
|
62,699
|
|
1979
|
86,007
|
|
1980
|
53,698
|
|
1981
|
73,177
|
|
1982
|
63,855
|
|
1983
|
55,011
|
|
1984
|
73,652
|
|
1985
|
71,781
|
|
1986
|
60,090
|
|
1987
|
33,282
|
|
1988
|
20,051
|
|
1989
|
4,165
|
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1990
|
39,290
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1991
|
17,653
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1992
|
6,704
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|
1993
|
9,801
|
|
1994
|
4,836
|
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1995
|
4,176
|
On May 3rd at the US Headquarters of
Nissan Motors in Gardena, CA they introduced the first of the factory authorized
refurbished 240 Z's. Introduced in 1970 the sticker price of a New 240Z was $3,526,
the refurbished Z's will run $24,950. The cars, 200 of them, are being done by
Pierre'Z Service Center in Southern CA. And will be sold through 10 Nissan dealers
designated as "Z Stores".
After the Z's were selected from
across the country (many came from Arizona and areas similar due to the more
rust free condition) they are fully disassembled, then each part is inspected
and inventoried. The unibody is inspected, repaired if necessary and then dipped
and painted. From there any parts needing replaced are ordered (yes they have
access to parts we don't). Everything is kept as original with the exception
of tires, (hard to find the original size) and a few other suspension parts
(bushings, struts). The other difference is a small sticker on the quarter window
and an emblem on the center console designating it as an official Nissan refurbished
Z.
Many a Z fan quickly spotted the
yellow Z in the first "Enjoy the ride" TV ads Nissan showed. Although name as
"the first Z car" in those ads it is actually the Z that belonged to Yutaka
Katayama, the man responsible for bringing the Z-car into existence and delivering
it to the US It was difficult at times convincing Japan that the American market
needed a car like the Z. Once here the Z became instantly popular. Waiting lists
were what you generally saw when going to the dealer to buy one. Many people
bought them then turned around and instantly sold them for more than they had
paid. The Z quickly got involved in racing and an aftermarket performance parts
supply before only seen by Mustang and Camaro owners sprung up.
At a time when Japanese cars were
quirky boxes the Z set Nissan's(then known as Datsun's) place in the US A test
drive of the 240Z prompted one writer in the early 70's to comment "While we
may have won the war it is clear who will in the end rule the roads."
One of the restored 1970 240Z's went
for $33,920 the 12th Annual Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction. I was lucky
enough to be in Monterey for that weekend (no Citibank wouldn't raise my card
limit that high)and brought back some pictures
. Look for more pictures coming soon along with
clips from the Nissan Z car brochure on the restoration.
Nissan cut the restorations
off after about 40 cars were completed. Short of their initial goal of 200 they
still definitely managed to remind people of the part that the 240Z played in
automotive history.
