35 year DATSUN SagaMy first car was a Datsun 510. My second a red 1971 240Z. And I loved them. One of the most popular Japanese cars of all time, the 510 helped usher in the Japanese car craze in North America and then, via BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises), started the Datsun racing - and maybe even the tuner - craze.
Throughout the 1970's the 240Z was popular as an inexpensive sports car. Those in the know found it to be a great platform for fun, as a daily driver, or as an entry to track racing.
Unfortunately, in the 1980's, as the platform grew more and more technical (before the actual tech was fully sorted!), the older models bagan to rust...and rust badly. In the 1990's, all Datsun's lost much of their hevalue, becoming somewhat overly-designed, while suffering from a corrosion reliability standpoint. They either failed due to rust, or due to excess technological gimmickry and complication, including early EFI, turbo and anti smog systems that choked their performance.
In 1995 I bought this particular 1972 Datsun 240Z for $500.00, more as a parts-car for a race car that I built to impress my then girlfriend (now wife, of 25 years), who herself was into F1 and wanted to learn to race. Coined "Chili" Hill, she learned to race in a Honda CRX, at Westwood Sppedway in Vancouver, while I built her a sweet 1972 240Z, sponsored by the beer company she worked for, the local radio station and - due to the obvious promotability of a hot girl named Chili in a 240Z - even some recognizable names, including Adidas, Big Brothers and Polaris Water jumped onboard.
At the time, the parts-car itself actually ran pretty well on it's own, but as mentioned, it was terribly rusty, with 'Fred Flinstone' floors, a different coloured drivers door and a slow weight-reduction program caused by ever-flaking chunks of rust leaving the car. It didnt really matter, we only really wanted it for its suspension and engine bits as cost-effective spares for the race car.
After an extended honeymoon, we decided to move to Saskatchewan where we would find it easier to work and raise a family. Having always been a 240Z lover, we moved all our possessions, including the racecar, with us, and dragging the "parts car" across the mountains, behind my truck, where it then sat for another 10 years.
With kids and changing priorities, we finally decided to sell the racer - with the parts car included. But as fate - and luck - would have it, Datsun's were still mostly worthless, and the new owner didn't want ot, even for parts! Again, it sat neglected, further deteriorating and not worth much evenas scrap, yet being a car guy at heart, I was always happy to see it in the corner of the yard, cleaning it once in a while and thinking, maybe, some day, I'll do something with it.
So, as the racer lived on, remaining active on the prairie SP circuit, racing in and around Regina, SK and Gimli, MB, the old parts-car languished in my driveway, then ultimately finding a spot, way in the back of my newly built shop.
As the many projects came and went, the Datsun 240Z was always there, reminding me of fun days past and interestingly, almost unimaginably, increasing in value. Then one day, prime early examples began selling for tens of thousands - of US dollars! Now, s a few primo early examples have even topped $100,000US! Now of course, these high-dollar cars are near-perfect examples of low VIN beauties, often purchased by Saudi oil billionaire-kids, but none-the-less, the age-group now interested in these cars has money, even in North America, so even a 1972 in original spec might sell for $10-15,000US. That, in addition to my history with the brand and having some time to finally work on the old girl in my shop, made the decision clear - it was my Datsun's time for some attention!
After stripping most of the hard parts and interior, I built a rotisserie, mounted it and got to work on the sheet metal. How did I build the rotisserie you ask? Well, just head on over to this installment in the
So, as the racer lived on, remaining active on the prairie SP circuit, racing in and around Regina, SK and Gimli, MB, the old parts-car languished in my driveway, then ultimately finding a spot, way in the back of my newly built shop.
With a shop, a growing family, a little money and the ever- supportive 'MrsEtek', I began restoring cars that were popular - to me as well to others - so that the time and money invested might someday earn a return. These early restorations included a 1967 Ford Galaxie 500XL Convertible, a 1974 Dodge Challenger and a 1981 Pontiac Trans AM. After a while I also began restoring for other people, inckuding a 1956 Chevrolet Apache, a 1940 Ford Deluxe and evem a Big Block 1968 Camaro to name a few.
As the many projects came and went, the Datsun 240Z was always there, reminding me of fun days past and interestingly, almost unimaginably, increasing in value. Then one day, prime early examples began selling for tens of thousands - of US dollars! Now, s a few primo early examples have even topped $100,000US! Now of course, these high-dollar cars are near-perfect examples of low VIN beauties, often purchased by Saudi oil billionaire-kids, but none-the-less, the age-group now interested in these cars has money, even in North America, so even a 1972 in original spec might sell for $10-15,000US. That, in addition to my history with the brand and having some time to finally work on the old girl in my shop, made the decision clear - it was my Datsun's time for some attention!
But enough talk....on with the build!
Even the boys got involved!
After stripping most of the hard parts and interior, I built a rotisserie, mounted it and got to work on the sheet metal. How did I build the rotisserie you ask? Well, just head on over to this installment in the
E-tekrestorations Blog: Building a rotisserie - for $200!
Steering rack - check.
On a Datsun Forum, I found some motivation, some great people - and someone who wanted to sell me some new sheet metal, inexpensively, including floors, rails and quarter panels.
.
Once all the metal work was done, many hours of blocking and priming ensued..
Including within the engine bay
Then one day, Duplicolor contacted me after seeing some of my work online, offering me to supply the paint as part of an online promotion to promote their new line of DIY paint (really just old-school lacquer) and so, the 240 was going to get some color on it!
Bittersweet it was though, as the old-school lacquer was not the best quality material.
Especially in this new world of water-borne colors and super-shiny clears!
Oh well, as the old adage goes....you get what you pay for!
After spraying an initial coat of what I thought would be a Mercedes Silver, I ended up adding much more blue and recoating it in something that at least resembled a stock color.
With the paint finally on, The old Datsun sat again, for several years, before a break in other people's projects led me to get the interior completed, finally opening the boxes of parts I purchased years prior!
Of course with old parts on old cars, the "heat wrench" is often your best friend!
Brakes - check.
Front and rear suspension - check and check
With the mechanicals mostly done, it was time for finally start on the interior -
Engine rebuild!
Carb rebuilds!
4 speed Rebuild - check
Wiring - check!
Glass...
Nearing COMPLETION!!!
Some parts, like these inner door sills, where apparently made of unobtanium -
but years of metal fabrication practice
made short work of anything I could not buy pre-pressed.
Looking good now!
Original dealer-installed options included mudflaps...
Sunroof....
Sport Mirrors and padded console armrest...
These Carrol Shelby wheels have 35 year old rubber still on them!
And kook who approves - 35 years later! Our driver, Shannon "Chili" Hill, aka #MrsEtek !
