1973 Datsun 240Z

The first in the legendary ‘Z Series’ of sportscars from Nissan was the S30 model launched in 1969, the idea conceived by the president of Nissan Motor Corporation USA, Yutaka Katayama, with its sleek lines penned by the Nissan Sports Car Styling Studio headed by Yoshihiko Matsuo

The model featured a two litre six-cylinder engine with power being driven to the rear wheels and was aimed to compete directly against European contemporary sportscars including the BMW 2800CS, Jaguar E Type and Alfa Romeo Spider

The model was instant success, the first generation 240Z models were one of the prettiest cars of the period and had excellent performance to match their looks with the 151bhp engine of two litre capacity, 7000rpm redline and mated to a four speed gearbox, the agile two seater was a market leader in the USA and production continued until 1978 as the model evolved into the larger 260Z and 280Z

This sensational 240Z has benefitted from an extensive restoration and development programme by marque specialist MZR Roadsports, utilising a solid 1973 Californian shell that MZR professionally converted to right-hand drive utilising original Nissan parts. MZR Roadsports exceptional attention to detail can be seen throughout the car and their ethos was to create a more usable performance car capable of daily use in the modern world, whilst retaining the 240Z’s iconic looks and character

As part of the MZR programme the original engine was upgraded to a fully rebuilt 2.8-litre straight-six for a period-correct increase in torque and horsepower, driving the rear wheels via a reconditioned S13-generation Nissan 200SX five-speed manual gearbox and AP Suretrac limited-slip differential

The beautiful coachwork is finished in the timeless hue of MZR Heritage Green with bespoke black leather and velour-trimmed interior, green door card piping complementing the forest green Wilton carpet and sits on 15-inch Maxlite alloy wheels shod with Yokohama Advan Fleva tyres

The cabin features an original unmarked and uncracked dashboard with its signature cowled instrument dials and centre auxiliary gauges, a classically styled head unit with Bluetooth, hands-free and an electric aerial, a Moto-Lita steering wheel and matching gear knob with the correct ‘Z’ logo appearing on each, bucket seats on adjustable rails, a new roof lining, and a new centre console, door cards and inertia reel seatbelts

The extensive restoration and upgrades began with the body taken back to bare metal, seam sealed and resprayed in a polyurethane paint in the bespoke hue of MZR Heritage Green. A Dinitrol cavity and underfloor treatment was carried out during the build to prevent future issues, soundproofing was applied throughout the cabin area to reduce vibration and noise, and a new windscreen was fitted along with exceptionally rare factory option headlamp covers and genuine Nissan wing mirrors after being re-chromed. The car received full weatherstrip and seal replacement throughout and was fitted with re-chromed front and rear bumpers

Mechanical upgrades began with the installation of 2.8L Datsun engine in place of the original 2.4, the unit and ancillaries were fully reconditioned including being acid dipped, crank was re-ground and the block re-bored. The head features polished valves and bronze guides, and the motor was reassembled using Fel-Pro gaskets. The engine has been fitted with an uprated oil pump and stainless-steel swirl pot, and an uprated modern alternator

The Hitachi ‘SU style’ carburettors were stripped, rebuilt and specially adapted to suit the larger capacity engine and all fasteners and fixings zinc plated. A 6-2-1 Kameari-style manifold was fabricated in stainless steel along with the matching sports exhaust and the motor was mated to a Nissan S13 gearbox, chosen for its strength and five speed gearing

The box was fully reconditioned with all new seals and bearings, a new MZR modified bell housing installed with new flywheel and new three-piece clutch. The differential was upgraded with an AP Suretrac LSD, the original UJ driveshafts removed and replaced with more responsive CVJ driveshaft conversion and a 3.54:1 differential ratio specified to offer optimal balance between responsiveness and motorway cruising

All suspension components were stripped, blasted, and powder coated in satin black with polyurethane bushes were throughout, new Eibach progressive coil springs fitted to Tokico HP sport dampers with an uprated anti-roll bar providing the car with fantastic handling capability which benefits from an automatic load-sensing power steering system that tightens up at higher speeds and assists with low-speed manoeuvring

The renewal of the electrical system included new wiring, lighting and relay systems with a modernised fuse box incorporating blade fuses. The column switches were rebuilt, wiper motor upgraded, the lights upgraded to halogen units to assist with nighttime visibility and a battery isolator was installed. All fasteners and fixing have been replated and even the working inspection lamp has been restored.

This exceptional MZR Roadsports is the finest 240Z we have ever seen and has covered a mere 5500 miles since its restoration and build in 2016, accompanied by a hardbacked build diary documenting all the work, a CD containing further pictures documenting the build, various MOT certificates and build notes

This iconic Japanese sports car is guaranteed to bring its new custodian ‘smiles for miles’ and is ready for immediate enjoyment and the start of its next chapter NB The desirable and model appropriate registration mark ‘DNZ 240’ is included with the sale