1970 Datsun 240Z Hidden in a Dusty Warehouse Is One of the First Ever Built

The original Z Car remained in production for nearly 10 years and included three main iterations: the 240Z (1969-1973), 260Z (1974-1978), and 280Z (1975-1978). The latter was a US-only model developed to meet then-new emission and safety requirements. The Z Car legacy continued with the 280ZX, 300ZX, 350Z, 370Z, and the current Nissan Z.

The initial 240Z, produced in over 100,000 units, is arguably the most desirable of the bunch. The early 1969 version is the scarcest. Datsun sold only 543 examples, a figure that includes a few cars not sold to the public (prototypes, test cars, and press review vehicles).

It's unclear which is the earliest surviving 240Z, but one of the first ever built was recently discovered by barn-find hunter Tom Cotter in a dusty warehouse in New Orleans. Tom was searching for a storage solution for his 1939 Ford Woodie wagon when he discovered that the facility's owner had been hiding the 21st 240Z produced.

The coupe has been sitting for quite some time and needs a complete restoration to spring back to life. According to Brett, the 240Z was previously owned by a mechanic who delayed the restoration process for over a decade. Brett bought it about two years ago, and he's determined to give it the attention it needs.

Fortunately, this Datsun is not your average barn find with severe rust issues. Although it's been off the road for over 12 years, it's in pretty good shape. The body is nearly rust-free (which is amazing for a 240Z), and most of the original components are still with the car.

The stamping on the firewall confirms the 240Z boasts sequence number 00021, making it the 21st ever built. According to zhome.com, the first regular production 240Z was number 00013, meaning this one is the ninth vehicle offered to the public. It's also the sixth oldest known to exist (although it's not yet listed in the website's registry).

Still rocking the original 2.4-liter inline-six engine and four-speed manual gearbox, the 240Z shows 27,267 miles (43,882 km) on the odometer. Based on the amount of weathering on certain features, Tom argues it's more likely for this Datsun to have covered 127,267 miles (204,816 km).

This coupe is one of only 195 units built in 1969 known to exist. And it will become a very valuable classic once it gets its much-deserved nut-and-bolt restoration. Early 240Zs changed hands for over $100,000 at public auctions (the most expensive unit sold for $165,000).