1973 240Z, the first real collectable Japanese car.

[BWDenver]

I was in the US Army Flight School at Ft Rucker in the summer of 1973, and needed a ride.

There was a local lot that catered to the military students, the "super Lot".  Prices were a bit steep, interest a bit over street.

I had no credit history, no down payment so I basically had to take what they offered.  A friend got a 72 Corvett off the lot, probably the last Vett I liked look of.

I loved the car and drove it for 13 years when it finally rusted out from under me.  In the color shot you can see a bit of damage to the front spoiler, the result of a snow drift at Ft Carson CO.  The major change to the car was the Shelby Deep Dish Mags.  The were a bit wider than stock and I had to bend the wheel well lip up as ever time I went over a twig the rear wheels rubbed.

Recently a 73 Z sold for $50,000.  The car was great to drive, rack and pinion steering was precise.

 

[TransAmMike]

I don't know how many folks on this forum have owned a 1st gen  "Z"-car.   I bought one of the first 260-Z's in New Orleans back then.  Was the british racing green color and the standard transmission.  Fist thing I did was put the 4-spoke American Racing "tumbler" wheels on it.    Yep It was a fun car to drive !!

[Rodent]

The author of this book is an active forum member here.

[89AKurt]

I thought the Toyota 2000GT was the first, but I never owned one of those either.  These Zs are getting resto-rodded too, can understand why.  Wish I had a dollar for every time I heard "wish I kept it."

[Ace-Garageguy]

Great story, cool car.

Those old Zees are wonderful cars.  

[TarheelRick]

Reenlisted in the USAF in 1972. Took my reenlistment bonus, all of $1500 and went car shopping. Tried a MGB, just couldn't fit my 6'2" frame comfortably into it. Next was a Triumph Spitifre, fit alright but there just was not a lot of room for moving personal stuff from base to base. Stopped by the Datsun dealer and they had the 'new' Z-car on the showroom floor. Immediately fell in love with it, but that $4200 price-tag was beyond my ability to pay. Finally bought a Chevy C-10 with 350, auto, AM radio, and rear step bumper for $3100. Oh, to relive those days knowing what I know now.