1971 Datsun 240Z sells for a jaw-dropping, record-setting $310,000 on Bring a Trailer

A 21,750-mile 1971 Datsun 240Z Series I sold for $310,000 today on Bring a Trailer, establishing a new high-water mark for the beloved Japanese sports car.

The sale easily eclipsed the previous record of $124,240 paid for a 33,000-mile Franklin Mint 1970 Datsun 240Z, also sold on Bring a Trailer (BaT) in June 2019. Wednesday’s sale was five times the average value of a 1971 240Z in #1 (Concours) condition: $61,900.

“Buyers continue to pay top dollar for low-mile, impressively original, top-condition cars,” says Brian Rabold, Hagerty vice president of valuation services, “and this Z qualified on all accounts.”

Hagerty valuation information analyst James Hewitt wholeheartedly agrees. “It’s the most original Datsun 240Z in existence.”

According to BaT co-founder and CEO Randy Nonnenberg, the buyer of the 1971 240Z has only been a member for one month and this was the first car that he or she bid on. Talk about getting off to a hot start.

“Datsun 240Z’s are seeing increasing interest on BaT, but nobody anticipated that this one would be bid so high,” Nonnenberg says. “Early production examples, low miles survivors, and unrestored cars all seem to really motivate bidders on our site, and this one just had that special extra appeal for a handful of BaT buyers. There were 5 bidders at $170K and higher, which is unusual for the model.”

In addition to its low miles, the Z car retains its original 150-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-six engine, and the exterior paint is in stunning condition. According to the BaT description, “Paint meter readings taken by the selling dealer are said to show measurements of between 2-5 millimeters. The exterior was detailed by the seller, but the finish was not compounded or sanded.”

For more on this momentous Z-car moment, check out our valuation deep-dive into this sale here.