1972 Datsun 240Z (2.8ltr) Club Rally Car

Replica of the Altonen and Todt 'works' Nissan that finished 3rd in Monte Carlo in 1972

Original engine bored and stroked to later-spec, 2.8-litres

MSA Licenced car entered in the Monte Carlo Historique in 2013 and 2014

£7/8,000 was invested at the marque specialists 'Z Farm' prior to the 2013 Monte

LSD, upgraded brakes, sump guard, rally lights, wiring and electrics.

MSA Licence lapsed. May require some updates to belts and seats etc. to reinstate

The Datsun 240Z, (latterly the 260Z and 280Z) was the first generation of 'Z' two-seat coupés produced by Nissan in Japan from 1969 to 1978. Its dramatic looks owed a considerable amount to a 1960's styling concept drawn by Count Albrecht Goertz for Datsun, presumably at a time when they were considering ways to break into the European sports car market.

The early cars were powered by a lusty 2.4 litre, straight six, overhead cam engine, developing around 150bhp resulting in a 0-60 time of 8 seconds, and a top speed of 125mph. A five-speed manual gearbox was standard and the car featured independent suspension all round with MacPherson struts at the front and Chapman links at the rear. Rack and pinion power steering and front disc brakes meant that the 240Z was a thoroughly modern package.

This evocative 240Z is a super replication of the Nissan works car that was driven by Rauno Altonen and navigated by Jean Todt in the 1972 Monte Carlo rally finishing in a very creditable third place. It was imported into the UK in 1973, declared built in 1973 and ended up with a 1973 registration number but it's definitely a '72. Prior to selling the car in 2012, its owner at the time, Robert Gaskin, had removed the engine and had the L24 block bored and stroked to the later 2.8-litre spec before carefully reassembling it and installing it in the car. With some classic rallying in mind, its new owner sent the car to marque experts the Z Farm and they carried out some work including fitting a limited slip diff, suspension, upgrading the brakes, a sump guard, some rewiring, lights, and sorting out the complex electrics of a fully equipped rally car. We understand the account for this was in the region of £7-8,000. In 2013 and 2014 the Datsun took part in the Monaco Historique starting from Glasgow on both occasions.

The car then came into the possession of our vendor and has remained in his collection ever since. Whilst its MSA paperwork may have lapsed, it is our understanding that a few updates to the safety equipment are all that are required to have this cracking car back up and enjoying the limelight.

The overall impression is of a really well-detailed and functional competition car and harks back to the 'big Healey' days with lots of grunt and rear-wheel drive. As well as historic rallies, the car is suitable for club events with night stages, regularity runs, demonstrations at Race Retro etc. or even just going to the pub on a winter's evening.