The Japanese motor industry was one of the fastest evolving during the second half of the twentieth century. The early post-war years saw it producing slower and heavier copies of cars designed by European manufacturers, but by the 1960s, its products exhibited fit and finish levels to rival anything built across the globe. Datsun’s reputation was grounded in cheap offerings, but it demonstrated its potential with the release of the 240Z. Our feature car is a 1972 model that is a one-owner classic. It presents beautifully following a recent restoration, with the seller listing it here on eBay in San Jose, California. Bidding has raced to $18,200, although that remains short of the reserve.

The 240Z was not the first two-seat sports coupe from a Japanese manufacturer. The most notable car of a similar size and style was the Toyota 2000GT, which beat it to the market by two years. However, the high sticker price of the Toyota meant that only 351 buyers could be found. Datsun followed a more conservative route with the 240Z, and although it wasn’t as mechanically sophisticated as the 2000GT, it was significantly more affordable. By the time production ended in 1973, the company’s records confirm that a staggering 168,584 examples were plying the world’s roads. Our feature car emerged from the factory in 1972 and is a one-owner classic. It was ordered in New Sight Orange, a shade available throughout the 240Z production cycle. It recently received a bare metal restoration, although the seller emphasizes the goal wasn’t to create a trailer queen. They aimed for a high-end driver, and it appears they hit the mark. The paint shines beautifully, and the panels are as straight as an arrow. There is no evidence of rust, and given the car’s history of living in a dry climate, that is unsurprising. The trim and glass are spotless, and the car rolls on its original wheels that wear the correct hubcaps.

Many people compare the styling of the 240Z with the Jaguar E-Type, which is understandable. Those similarities continue below the skin, with both cars featuring a straight-six engine that sends its power to an independent rear end via a four-speed manual transmission. However, that is where the comparison ends. The Datsun’s 2.4-liter powerplant receives a single overhead camshaft, although the standard dual-row timing chain and double valve springs make these robust motors that will rev freely beyond 6,000rpm. The driver will have 151hp and 146 ft/lbs of torque at their disposal. That is enough to launch the car through the ¼-mile in 16.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 125mph. The 240Z might not have been as fast as a ’72 E-Type, but with a sticker price of around 50% of the British thoroughbred, the shortcoming was forgivable. The seller provides no information on how this classic runs or drives, but the visual indications are positive. The ownership history is also encouraging, suggesting the Datsun has spent its life as a cherished family member.

When I first saw the location of this 240Z, I was bracing for an interior showing deterioration and UV damage. The dash and pad are particularly prone areas, but there is nothing inside this car deserving criticism. The Black vinyl upholstered surfaces are spotless, as is the carpet. There is no cracked or crumbling plastic, and it is refreshing to find no aftermarket additions. The car retains its correct steering wheel, shifter knob, and AM/FM radio. I’m not sure if I can use the term “as-new” to describe the condition, but it certainly won’t cause the new owner any shame when they appear in public behind the wheel of this classic.

It is often said that history never repeats, but I don’t believe that is strictly true. Early Japanese cars were generally pretty awful. However, the Datsun 240Z graphically demonstrated how far the country had come in producing world-class vehicles in little more than two decades. The same appears to be the emerging trend from South Korea. It wasn’t many years ago that offerings from Kia and Hyundai exhibited poor quality, and people bought those cars because they were extremely cheap. Huge strides have been made in the last twenty years, with models like the Kia Stinger offering staggering performance and excellent build quality. Could the Stinger become a future classic? Only time will reveal the truth. The 1972 Datsun 240Z is already a classic, and recent sales results confirm that. An enthusiast could roll the dice, hoping for the best from the Stinger. Me? I’d sink my money into this 240Z and drive away in a sure thing. What about you?