Blues Mobile: 1974 Datsun 260Z V8
The 1974 Datsun 260Z was an evolution of the original 240Z that was first released in 1970 but it was only a one year affair before it was replaced by the 280Z in 1975. Regardless, the relative rarity of this car didn’t stop an owner from transforming it into an unholy Chevy V8 powered beast. Find this 1974 Datsun 260Z V8 offered for $13,500 in Bothell, WA. Tip from Rock On!
Under the hood is a small block Chevrolet V8 that pushes out an undisclosed amount of power — probably in the 300-400 hp range. The power and torques head to a 700R4 slushbox and to a posi-traction rear end, this thing should scoot!!
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I hate it when the swappers drop in a fun-sapping slushbox for the transmission option. Too lazy to source a manual for the small block. Grrr. Auto is a go-to for me.
The AutoTragic kills it for me as well.
I agree about the auto box. But the skirts and the sunroof don't help either.
Went all out with that dashboard.
it'd be better if an Infiniti V8 was fitted instead of the Chevy. either with the auto or with a T5 swap.
Rarity probably wasn't a consideration when this was done. When stock, the 260Z was known for its vapor-lock problems. Swaps were common. At a minimum, one usually swapped the flat-top carbs for round-tops and self-deleted some emissions badness, but many got full engine swaps. Now, of course, values are up for stock ones, although most on Bring A Trailer have conspicuous round-top carbs.
I personally don't like v8 Z's. If you want a corvette, buy a corvette. Let the old s30's be their own thing. The deserve it.
Early 260s were 240-based, and worth more. The later 260s had the 280 features… and if you wanted a big-bumper 280, you should just get one of those. Rare doesn't always mean valuable.