Datsun 240Z: A Classic Not to Be Forgotten
The Datsun 240Z put muscle cars to task in the early ‘70s. How has it done as a collectible classic car?
Written by Andrew Koole
Reviewed by Serena Aburahma
You’d be forgiven for forgetting about Datsun. But before Nissan discontinued the subbrand in the 1980s, it managed to produce a
classic car
worth remembering—the 240Z. The Datsun 240Z—a Corvette killer
From 1958 until 1985, America knew all Nissan products as Datsuns. At first, the brand was mostly known for its family sedan, the Bluebird. But for the 1970 model year, Datsun brought its “Z” sports car across the Pacific. No one could’ve predicted the splash it would make.
The 240Z looks beautiful, but the key to its original success was its price. For less than $4,000, its 2.4-liter inline-six engine brought the roadster to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds.
That’s slow by modern standards, but
Hagerty
says it was better than contemporaries twice its price like the Porsche 911 and Jaguar Type-E. Emissions regulations saw those numbers gradually drop, but not enough to erase the car’s price-to-performance ratio.Together with the proceeding 280Z and 280ZX, Datson sold 1 million “Z”-badged sports cars in only 10 years.
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The Datsun 240Z’s value as a collectible
When the first Datsun 240Z arrived in the U.S., you could drive it off the dealer’s lot for about $3,600. If you want to buy one now, you’ll have to pay a lot more than that.
Hagerty has a 240Z in good condition valued at $46,300, up almost $20,000 from January 2020. The best examples of the car can be worth as much as $123,000.
The increase could be the result of rising interest in Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) vehicles, though the 240Z was built specifically for Americans.
Other models considered “affordable classics” like Ford Broncos and Honda Accords have also seen their values spike in recent years, and the 240Z’s image as a roadster only increases that advantage. Whatever the reason, it’s clear we have yet to see the 240Z reach its peak value.
MORE: The New Nissan Z, and Why It’s Nicknamed ‘Fairlady’
Finding cheap coverage for your classic car
Since the turn of the millennium, Datsun 240Zs have enjoyed “classic” status, giving their owners access to
classic car coverage
. Classic car coverage has a much cheaper policy compared to regular car insurance, but it comes with stipulations for drivers, stipulations that change from provider to provider. To make sure you’re getting the right policy for the price, you should shop for quotes online with Jerry.
Jerry is a personal insurance broker that lives in your pocket. But don’t worry about buying tiny office furniture: Jerry is an app.
Once you download Jerry, just answer a handful of questions that will take you roughly 45 seconds to complete, and you’ll immediately get car insurance quotes for coverage similar to your current plan. Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year on car insurance payments!
MORE: Fast and Furious Is Going Out With a Bang!
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