The Fairlady Z was launched in 1969, and in 1970, Nissan North America began selling the Datsun 240Z, equipped with the export-only L24 engine. Priced at around $3,600 (compared to the Porsche 911’s $10,000), the 240Z achieved global sales of approximately 540,000 units, with around 80,000 sold in Japan, the majority in the U.S., setting a record as the best-selling sports car in America.

Following the success of the 240Z, various models continued to be sold in the U.S. until the Z series was discontinued in 1996 due to poor sales. The Datsun brand, beloved in America, was phased out in 1997. However, interest in the Z remained strong, leading Nissan North America to develop a prototype in 1998, which was showcased at the 1999 Detroit Auto Show. Its design echoed the classic S30Z, igniting excitement among Z enthusiasts and ultimately paving the way for the Z33 Fairlady Z’s release.

This vehicle is a vintage Z restored by Nissan North America shortly after the discontinuation of the Z32 Fairlady Z. Originally, 200 units were planned for production, but due to unprofitable margins and overwhelming demand, only 37 (or possibly 39) Datsun 240Z units were re-released, primarily in the U.S., making one an extremely rare find.

This particular unit was brought back to Japan after being stored for over 20 years. It has been restored, including a fresh paint job and various enhancements. The exterior was transformed from silver to solid black, and the engine head received a black crystal finish. The car features Watanabe 6.5J wheels, a spoiler, and has switched from door mirrors to fender mirrors.

Every detail has been meticulously restored to closely resemble its original condition, providing a time-traveling experience when inspecting the interior, exterior, and engine bay. This export version has been enhanced with classic Japanese car modifications, making it a unique representation of vintage Z vehicles. While the vintage Z itself is rare, this particular car has been further refined, exuding a character reminiscent of domestic models.