Datsun 240Z 'GTR' - Over 100K Restomod with R33 GTR Engine

Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

AUCTION

1972
1
Mile
Petrol
Manual
2.6L

Datsun 240Z 'GTR' - Over 100K Restomod with R33 GTR Engine

Est £50,000 - £60,000
This car is in auction on The Market website. The auction is LIVE now and finishes on 10th December. Price is an estimate.
We wrote, a few years ago, that “If you fancy using a 240Z as your everyday hack (and why wouldn’t you?) there are plenty of folk that will upgrade your brakes, gearbox, engine, suspension, and even the wiper motor and linkage to turn your classic Datsun into something better suited for 21st century roads and traffic. This sort of retro-dating suits the car very well indeed and shouldn’t have a detrimental effect on the value.”
We weren’t alone in thinking that, as you can see with our next listing... a wonderfully fettled Datsun 240Z fitted with a Nissan R33 GTR 350bhp engine.
A rust-free Californian car with one family owner from new, it was expertly converted to right-hand-drive by Z Specialists Star Motorsport, at the behest of its fastidious enthusiast owner who, for the past 15 years, has gone to enormous lengths to protect its core originality whilst providing massively increased power and performance. 
Finished in white with blue tinted glass and a black vinyl and leather interior, the vendor estimates the project has cost him a six-figure sum, which sounds about right; as a trail-blazing car, this was, he thinks, the very first road-legal Datsun 240Z GTR in the UK – and probably still one of the very nicest, even now…
The owner tells us that there is no evidence of any major welding to the bodyshell and it still has, which many examples can’t boast, the original floors and original spare wheel well. This is important stuff and helps explain the car’s stunning panel alignment and tight shutlines.
As does the incredible care that was taken in converting the car from left-hand-drive to right. This conversion involved sourcing two donor cars; a RHD (for the bulkhead and RHD ancillaries) and a rust-free original LHD (because there aren’t any rust free RHDs!) then drilling through the spot welds to remove the bulkheads from both cars. The RHD bulkhead was then acid dipped, primed and welded into place using the original spot weld holes. The work was carried out so diligently that he tells us that the bonnet “aligned perfectly first time”.
Of course, all the other right-hand-drive ancillaries were fitted including the wiring looms, the steering column, wiper assembly, dashboard, and pedal box. Even the chassis plates swap has been carried out properly with the old one being seam-welded back into the full new bulkhead to keep the Datsun’s original USA HLS identity.
The white paintwork looks stunning too, and the combination of blue tinted glass, chrome, and black rubber trim works beautifully, being both timeless and understated. It is also the ultimate sleeper, giving no clues as to what lies under the bonnet. We like that.
The front grille is an original part that he has been powdercoated. The front bumper is an American-spec item because the vendor and many enthusiasts think it looks better than the Euro one. Both it and the rear bumper, which has had the over-riders removed for a cleaner look and the original ultra-rare UK rubber protectors fitted, have been re-chromed at huge expense.
The 14-inch alloy wheels were made by 100+ in Coventry. They have been with car for many years, and the huge history file includes an original brochure for them. Unblemished and free of scrapes and scuffs, they’re shod with matching 205/60R14 TourSport tyres, all of which have good tread.
As we will never tire of explaining, our experience shows that matching high-quality tyres are an infallible sign of a caring and mechanically sympathetic owner who is prepared to spend the appropriate amount in maintaining their car properly. Their presence does not, of course, preclude the need for a thorough inspection - something the vendor would welcome, by the way – but it does perhaps give you a shortcut into their attitude towards maintenance.
The 240Z has had 12 litres of German rust proofing fluid applied inside the panels and cavities to ensure its longevity.  This work was carried out by Eagle, well-known for its work converting vehicles to hearses and limousines, a category of manufacturer the vendor believes rust-proofs cars better than any other.
Issues? Well, the nearside corner of the tailgate could do with adjusting to help it sit more neatly but other than the odd stonechip and minor mark the car is still practically unmarked.
Please note that the text above is just a brief summary of our listing. Please click on the link below, or visit The Market website for the complete description plus at least 100 photos and videos fully illustrating the car and its service history. All bidding occurs through our website, and our website listing is the best place to ask questions directly to the seller.
The vehicle can be viewed with us in Abingdon, South Oxfordshire.
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Reference #11074129 | Trade advert

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