So, this Datsun sportscar has a tough tale to tell. The seller claims that he’s the second owner and it has less than 19K accumulated miles. So, that makes it a perfect candidate for a “What in the Sam Hill happened here? award.  Really, 19K miles and it has been sitting outside for decades? Hmmm, that sounds unusual, to say the least. OK, I’m intrigued, let’s do some sleuthing and see what the story is. Located in Richmond, Virginia, this last year 240Z is available, here on craigslist for $7,500.

Known technically as an S30 or a Fairlady Z, this two-seater became the 240Z when first appearing on U.S. shores in 1970. I refer to his example as a last year 240Z because it grew into the 260Z in ’74. According to Hagerty, 50K Z’s were assembled in ’73, and this example is one of 45K that was exported to America. The seller tells us that the original owner took great care of this car and then let it sit for decades. He adds, “This car sat outside and a tree fell on the windshield post. The glass was missing so, the passenger area took on water” Yeah, outside storage isn’t really storage, it’s just existence. Also mentioned is the need to replace the floors and rocker panels. It is wearing its original yellow finish, however, at least in the places where it hasn’t rusted off.

Oh, it gets better. The  151 net HP, 2.4 liter, in-line six-cylinder engine is mostly in pieces though the block is still sitting between the strut towers. Why? Great question, why would a 19K mile car have its engine partially disassembled and then left to sit? It’s not said in the listing if the detached parts are included. No worries about the manual transmission however as the seller tells us, “Transmission clicks like it just came off the showroom“.

Remember that tree-falling business? Well, you can imagine what that has done to the interior. It’s completely trashed. The upholstery, dash pad, door cards, steering column trim – all of it, it’s a mess. The entire environment will need to be blown up and started over – of course, not until the floor pans are replaced.

The seller tells up, “This is a special car“. I imagine that his and my definition of special are rather divergent. If it sounds like some pieces to this Datsun’s story are missing, you’re probably right. That said, I have no need to look further or know more, how about you?