For the first time in the nearly two years that we’ve been tracking such things, a Japanese vehicle has emerged among the most-searched on the ClassicCars.com Marketplace website. That car is the Datsun 240Z.
And not only that, but we checked down the list a little farther and found the 280Z also working it way up the chart. The 240Z was ranked 13th in searches in November and the 280Z was among the top-20.
Both of the vintage Japanese sports cars were among the vehicles most searched just by make or model, regardless of model year.
All-years Chevrolet, Mustang and Ford continued to top that list, with the Chevrolet C-10 pickup truck, the Volkswagen bus/van, the Buick Grand National and the Corvette taking the next four spots in order.
Moving up into the top-10 in November were the International Scout and Willys Jeep. Falling out of the top-10 were the DeLorean and Chevelle.
“The 240Z is literally the sports car that changed the entire landscape of the sports car world,” said Andy Reid, the Journal’s East Coast editor and marketplace analyst. “These were the first affordable, reliable, offering performance much above its paygrade.
“They also offered spectacular styling reminiscent of the likes of the Ferrari 275 GTB.
“These cars have been recognized for how great they were in period and also work well in today’s world as daily drivers. This has led to enthusiasts, especially younger ones to seek the 240Z out to add to their collections or as a first-time vintage sports car.
“As the 240Z has increased in value,” Reid added, “this has led people to seek out the 280Z as it offered many of the things that the original 240Z does but adds fuel injection, air conditioning and, on later cars, a 5-speed gearbox.”
While the Datsuns surged in searches by make or model, there was little change in the list of searches by year, make and model, although the 1967 Chevrolet Impala leapfrogged the 1967 and 1969 Ford Mustangs to take the top spot in November.
Joining the top-10 in the year/make/model search list was the 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle, which has been working its way toward that level in the past few months.
Bought a 240 back in 73. Never driven in winter. Son was born in 76, nurse thought I was putting him in the trunk for the ride home from hospital.Bolted a child seat to the platform [with seat belts] behind front seats. He rode there till 85 when his head hit the ceiling. Placed it but stairs in the very dry barn as it sits today. Every year the engine is lubed and turned. Was in perfect shape then, and after all these years looks pretty good. Bought our farm in 76. [Wife & I were teachers.] I was going to sell the Z for a couple grand. Wife said no. Guess she was rightly these years later.
thanks for sharing that story!
I could just stare at the Orange Z at the top of this article all day. Really a design marvel.
If I may point out, the ’78 280z shown is actually a 280z 2+2, which technically was a 4-seater but only if two people were child-size.
I miss my 240Z that I purchase for 3k in the early 80’s. It was sitting on an AirForce base in Virginia. I had her painted a bright Porsche red and added the sporty black rack in the back and ordered her a sports bra. I could listen to the carb and adjust it by ear. I opened the hood and listened and adjusted.
I had to sell her…2k to a friend in Detroit. I can’t find my pictures and want to see her again.