I once thought that if I couldn’t afford a 240Z, I’d never own a 260 or a 280 despite their much cheaper prices. I’ve changed my mind, at least about the 260. Made for one year only in 1974, the 260Z was a response to US emissions and safety requirements. The emissions knock came in the form of a larger but asthmatic engine larded up with valves and pumps. Meanwhile, the safety drag was most apparent at the bow and the stern: the new 5 mph bumpers were ungainly and weighed tens of pounds more than their previous iterations. Still, the car is almost as quick as the ’73 240Z, every bit as nimble, and enjoys a few ergonomic improvements over its older sibling. Performance parts can easily upgrade the engine, and many a 260 owner has backdated his bumpers. If you want to “ground zero” one of your own, here on eBay is a former forest resident, a 1974 Datsun 260Z. This Z is bid to $1,801, and you’ll need to pull your trailer to Red Oak, Iowa to pick it up. The seller suggests undertaking a major restoration or using this one for parts – keeping in mind that the 260 was constructed differently from the 240.

This one’s engine is still nestled in its nose, and it doesn’t look like a single item is missing from this landscape – a minor miracle. With a displacement of 2.6 liters, the in-line six-cylinder makes about 140 hp, a reduction of ten ponies versus the year-earlier 240. This ’74 would be about a second slower over the quarter mile too. But the 260 gained a more rigid chassis and beefier sway bar, lending a handling edge. Braking via front discs/rear drums remained the same for both models. This car has a four-speed manual.

The interior is beyond repair. A restoration will require a new dash, steering wheel, seats, headliner, carpets, door panels – and we haven’t even tackled the likelihood that the gauges won’t work and trim bits might be missing. Datsun improved the shift linkage in ’74, added a dead pedal, and upgraded a few other components – changes that were prompted by customer feedback. Unlike its American brethren, Datsun listened to buyers and fixed things accordingly.

The seller highlights rust in the floor pan and behind the passenger’s door. The glass looks decent, and the panels are largely straight. I’m a fan of the color, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Production of this one-year-only model is estimated at 3000 to 5000 copies. With 240Z  prices reaching into the high five figures on a good day, any 260 looks like a bargain. How would you tackle this car – renovate it or tear it up for parts?