Reader Submissions: Father & Son Datsun 240Zs: 1970 & 1973

Father & Son Datsun 240Zs: 1970 & 1973

By Petrolicious
October 9, 2013

Owner: Ollie Streek

Location: Kent, England

Year, Make, and Model: 1970 and 1973 Datsun 240Zs

Photography: Ollie Streek

Ollie Streek and his father have been automotive aficionados for as long as Ollie can remember. His father has amassed a wonderful collection of Ferraris and Aston Martins (more on those in the future) but what caught our attention was his decision to enjoy the same chassis as his son does, the Datsun 240Z.

From the outside, Ollie’s patinaed 1973 Datsun 240Z is what many youths have come to love about the classic Japanese package. Even with its iconic design, there are still ways to evoke its menacing nature. Fatter tires, bolt-on fender flares, and lowered ride-height allow the car to call upon its racing pedigree.

The cherry-looking 1970 240Z belongs to Ollie’s father, who chose to bring back the glory the car once had when sitting on a showroom floor many years ago. It took him many years to locate such a well-sorted specimen, and we consider his patience to have been well-rewarded.

Ollie enjoys spirited drives in his enhanced 240Z along his favorite road in Rye, England, an area that, on clear, sunny days, offers uninterrupted roads for appropriate exhaust-note exercises. He also enjoys taking his bare-bones racer on sprints to his favorite pub (for a small pint, he assures us), whereas his father proudly displays his 240Z alongside his Astons and Ferraris. This certainly makes the perfect backdrop for the families holiday greeting cards—at least in our eyes.

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Tony Gordon
Tony Gordon
11 years ago

Clearly, you are a man of impeccable taste..love the color, the front airdam..and that you live far away.

( heres mine [url=”https://scontent-a-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1381432_10201208208021241_178924065_n.jpg”]Your text to link…[/url] )

Had those same rims you have on earlier this year. 🙂

Ollie Streek
Ollie Streek
11 years ago
Reply to  Tony Gordon

That’s lovely.

Rich Breese
Rich Breese
11 years ago

Nice article! I wish my dad like tiny japanese cars as much as I do. Not trying to be a stickler or anything but judging from the pictures it looks like Ollie has the 1970 while his father has the 73, just had to point it out. Thanks for the Datsun love guys!

Matthew Lange
11 years ago
Reply to  Rich Breese

Being a bit ignorant on cars that don’t come from Maranello, was are the differences between the 70 and 73? Thanks.

Vince Cox
Vince Cox
10 years ago
Reply to  Matthew Lange

The hatch vents ant non vented pillar badges are the first give-away, then the console details and seat venting differences. Here in the states, there were several smog/safety additions you’d note in the engine bay. Other than those obvious ones, you’d have to dig/look deeper to notice. All the sheet metal was the same aside from some bumper-ettes.

Loved the story by the way.

Ollie Streek
Ollie Streek
11 years ago
Reply to  Rich Breese

You’re correct although the rat look is actually dads.

Rich Breese
Rich Breese
11 years ago
Reply to  Ollie Streek

The give away for a 1970 Z is the two vents under the window on the hatch as well as pillar emblems that say 240Z on them. There are other differences as well but those are usually the most apperant. From 1971 on, the pillar emblems changed to act as air vents like the ones in the hatch that were eliminated(probably due to sucking in exhaust fumes instead of fresh air) and were circular and had a Z on them. I understand the confusion and am more than happy to provid input as I am a big Z car lover with a couple myself!

Rich Breese
Rich Breese
11 years ago
Reply to  Rich Breese

I enjoy the look of both Zs also Ollie! Great job. You wouldn’t happen to have an extra set of the euro taillights would you? Hahaha

Ollie Streek
Ollie Streek
11 years ago
Reply to  Rich Breese

No sorry i don’t. I do need a new wheel for it though, original wooden. Either restored or unrestored.

Matthew Lange
11 years ago

Enough with the 240Z pieces you’re making me want one too much 😉

Considering there are only 150 on the road in the UK (according to[url=”http://www.howmanyleft.co.uk/vehicle/datsun_240z”] howmanyleft.co.uk[/url]) finding the right one may take a while!

Doug Churchill
Doug Churchill
11 years ago

Found a uTube video of Ollie exceeding the speed limit on a two lane UK backroad – disorientating to watch RHD passing oncoming traffic in the right lane. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KPaEYb1Gww

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