Ferrari 250 GTO Replica: 1972 Datsun 240Z
If you are going to drive a kit car that looks like a multi-million dollar car, it had better at least make some noise like the real thing. This next kit might look like a Ferrari on the outside, but it has stock Datsun mechanicals and won’t make the right noises…so you need to start looking for a used V12 from a Jag, a BMW or Mercedes and work on your straight piping skills. Find this 1972 Datsun 240Z offered for $15,000 in Isleta, NM via craigslist.
From the seller:
1972 datsun 240z
VIN: HLS3073250
condition: fair
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 99000
odometer rolled over
paint color: red
size: mid-size
title status: salvage
transmission: manual
type: other
Barn find red Velo Rossa in Albuquerque!Mostly finished Velo Rossa rebody on a 1972 240Z donor car. Drivetrain is stock, and the stock interior was refurbished when it was built. Minor trim items may be required to complete. The conversion includes wide Prime aluminum wheels and new tires.
The Velo Rossa body kit is a roadster version of the Ferrari 250 GTO replicas from the 70s and 80s.
The conversion was done approximately 15 years ago, and the car has always been stored inside. The engine was started regular until about five years ago, so it will require new fuel and probably other minor maintenance to bring it back to driving condition. It’s dusty and could use a complete detailing.
Title is “salvage” due to minor damage to donor car before it was purchased. The seller has the title signed off from previous owner into his name, and offers a bill of sale. Titling will likely require “specially constructed vehicle” titling and registration, depending on the rules in your state.
Buyer inspection and local pickup is preferred. Limited assistance with transportation is available at buyer’s expense.
Price is $15,000.
VIN HLS30 73250.
See a better way to drive something rosso? tips@dailyturismo.com
Sorry, did you say straight piping skills or crack piping skills?
Rocco B — I laughed out loud!!
It seems like a bonehead move to start a custom build with a salvage title donor car unless you love greasing palms at your local DMV.
Fast N’ Bulbous!
That’s right, The Mascara Snake, fast n’ bulbous!
Also, a tin teardrop.
Bulbous also tapered!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nlcZYOENgcQ
My first job out of college was working on a photo shoot of Captain Beefheart. He was very concerned that he not walk too far straight east or west or be photographed facing south. Kind of tricky in a Manhattan apartment, so part of my job was lying to him about where north was. Not sure why this car brings him to mind.
Hugh, from the many amazingly diverse comments, recollections and thoughts you post, many which range far from predictable DT automotive tech banter, you have to be on the top of my list as the fellow i would like to share a beer and BS session with. …or bourbon, scotch, coffee… Beefheart. wasn’t his real name van vliet? sounds like a memorable, odd experience ,that photoshoot. cheers.
Well I tried to keep my comments on topic or at least topic adjacent. And you have to admit this thing is the picture of bulbousness, perhaps not so fast and perhaps fiberglass rather than tin, but still…
Yeah Don was quite the character to say the least.
If daily Turismo puts up an AMF era Harley I have a pretty funny Gregg Allman story. And a bowling pin joke.
Hugh, I look fwd to hearing about the time you fixed Frank Zappa’s teeth or dated Tilda Swinton or kicked Carrot Top in the jewels or …
Feel free to surprise me.
;^)
Never met Swinton or Zappa but did manage to really piss off Carrot Top once. By laughing at him if you can believe it.What an asshole.
Why put an old (hard to get parts) engine in this? It’ll never be a Ferrari.
So go with it… yank out the old mechanicals, put in a smokin’ electric motor, distribute the batteries to get better weight distribution, and then…
… install a sound system OUTSIDE the car (inside the wheel wells, perhaps?) that allows you to blast the exact engine sound from the original 250 GTO. This wouldn’t be that hard– tie it to the accelerator (hey, it’s all electric now anyway), and use sampled tones from the 250.
And… when you REALLY want to freak somebody out, just turn off the speakers, and make like George Jetson as your amped-up electric engine silently squeals away and leaves them all in the dust.
-Stan (who probably had one too many coffees this morning…)
Stan, as someone that does and really appreciates electric conversions, I was thinking the exact same thing! This would make a really cool EV.
(Although, even going that approach, I have to agree with the previous comment that a salvage title makes this that much more of a PIA project. Also, an electric conversion done right is going to be around $20k, and easily significantly more, which makes dropping $15k on this just to get started a tough proposition.)