1972 Datsun 240Z

It soon became apparent during its creation, that the Datsun 240Z represented all the requirements of sports-minded drivers by fulfilling their desires for superb styling, power and safety whilst providing them with the most thrilling and enjoyable ride available in any car.

According to Classic and Sportscar, the "Z' was "In a different technical league" whilst Race and Track Magazine noted "Datsun have reinvented the sports-car with the sleek, civilised, sexy and sporty 240Z".

Reporting 151 B.H.P and 146 lb ft of torque at just 4,400 rpm, Car & Driver said; "A brilliantly conceived car with twice as much thought having gone into it when compared to the Big Healey, MGC, Lotus Elan, Porsches and Corvettes".

Offering a 125mph top-speed and the 0-60mph dash in a shade under 8 seconds, the well-spaced 5-speed gear ratios made the most of the engine's torque whilst retaining the ability to achieve in excess of 30 mpg, this was to put the "Z' ahead of many of it's contemporaries and on a par with Porsche 911s of the time. Very impressive, by anyone's standards.It was no surprise therefore that, for many years the Datsun 240Z was heralded as the most successful sports-car of all time.

Launched in the UK as Car & Driver's "Car of the Year', it was noted by renowned race-driver and motoring journalist John Bolster of Autosport; "To the man who still regards high-speed driving as a pleasure and an art, it promotes un-ending joy with the benefit of easy door entry, ample seat adjustment and good visibility for even the tallest of drivers".

Although Datsun didn't invent the Overhead-Cam Engine, Disc Brakes or all-round Independent suspension, the 240Z incorporated all of these systems into a brilliantly conceived car.

New paintwork colours were introduced (intended to attract the young), such as, Montecarlo Silver, Orange and Grand-Prix Blue Metallic with all cars having tinted glass. Equipment levels were high, the sports theme continuing with an almost entirely black interior. Front and rear spoilers were fitted to improve handling stability.

The Datsun "Z' had an immeasurable record in competition, achieving excellent results in both racing and rallying, earning the car a deserved reputation for ruggedness and reliability. Carefully gas-flowing the cylinder head, increasing compression ratios, fitting high-lift performance camshafts and the use of Mangoletsi-type inlet manifolds with triple 40 DCOE carburettors, along with 6-into-1 exhaust manifolds and straight-through exhaust systems, led to power outputs in excess of 190 B.H.P and 0-60 mph times of around the 6 seconds mark.

Thoughts of replicating the same are what led to the procurement of this original right-hand-drive car, offered for sale here.

Nissan GB have themselves commissioned The Z Farm of North Yorkshire - one of the country's leading Datsun "Z' restorers - to recreate their own "as-new' 240Z. It should come as no surprise to learn then, they were responsible for the comprehensive bare-metal restoration with period modifications, of this superb blue example, detailed as follows:-

•Strip the complete vehicle to bare shell and carefully assess all components..•Carry out concourse-standard restoration to the bodywork.•Strip and assess, then fully rebuild a balanced and blueprinted engine to 190 B.H.P fast-road specification with triple weber 40 DCOE carburettors.•Supply and fit Janspeed 6-branch manifold/exhaust system.•Upgrade braking system with vented discs and four-pot callipers.•Fit period 7J x 14 Wolfrace Alloys to clear callipers.•Rebuild/replace all ancillary items.

A comprehensive history file detailing all of the above work is supplied with the vehicle along with detailed photographs / invoices. It has been estimated that to replicate a similar specification vehicle would today cost in excess of £40,000.

Regularly serviced and maintained since restoration, the last service carried-out in September 2014 (invoice supplied), included a rolling-road Dyno-tune recording 196 B.H.P with 192 lb ft torque. A 12 month 'no advisory' MOT is also supplied.

Rarely available in such condition due to their highly collectable status throughout the world, this outstanding example, showing just 64,924 miles, surely represents a truly unique opportunity to own a motoring icon.