This 1972 Datsun 240Z Is an Amazing Survivor With a Rare Color Combo

The first Z model remained in production through 1978 and included three iterations. The 240Z was followed by the 260Z in 1974 and the 280Z in 1975. The original version is the most sought-after of the series. It's not exactly rare, though, with more than 160,000 units built for export until 1973.

As a result, the 240Z is not as expensive as other classics from the era. Sure, one early and low-mileage model sold for a whopping $310,000 in 2020, but the average price of these cars is around $35,000 as of 2024. Most well-maintained and low-mileage examples are valued at $85,000 to $130,000.

The 1972 240Z you see here is not for sale, but it's one of those rigs that would fetch big bucks at public auction. That's because it's a fully-fledged survivor that's still highly original. It has had only three owners until now (it spent 46 years with the previous one), and it rocks a rare color combo.

Granted, the metallic green paint looks too good to be factory-original, but the fact that it's been repainted doesn't make it less of a survivor. These cars are infamous for their rust issues. Many enthusiasts claim there is no such thing as a 240Z without rust, and the survival rate of these early 1970s models is quite low. The fact that this 240Z is still in one piece after more than 50 years is impressive, to say the least.

Nissan exported 60,025 cars in 1972, the 240Z's best year in that regard. According to surviving documents, 52,628 of those vehicles were sold in the United States. That number is way too big to call a 1972 240Z rare, but this example is a bit special. And it has to do with the black interior. Sort of.

Black is arguably the most common interior color on the 240Z. It was standard or optional on most exterior hues from 1970 to 1974. Exceptions include Silver Metallic cars in 1972 and Kilimanjaro White examples in 1972 and 1973. There are also two colors that were never offered with black: Bronze Metallic and Green Metallic. The latter were sold with brown (tan) upholstery. Yet this green example had a black interior.

The owner confirms the color is true to the car's factory specifications, but there's no info on how the original owner ended up with this combo. Was it a special-order option or something like that? Was this possible at the time? It's a question that will remain unanswered, but my research confirms that green cars have brown interiors. I can't verify this is the only green-over-black 240Z, but it's possible. And it may just turn it into a very expensive classic.

But even if that wouldn't be true, this 240Z is a gorgeous sports car that deserves all the attention in the world. Hit the play button below for the full walkaround.