Past Collection

1960 Datsun Bluebird (PL310) – This little sedan was acquired from an estate. She was owned by a machinist in Phoenix when new, and wore a coat of house paint when we found her. She’s since been sold to some good friends and is awaiting restoration.

1963 Datsun Sport Truck (NL320) – “Peanut” resided with us for nearly a decade, and was slated for a full frame-off restoration – but upon acquisition of our ’64 Sport Truck, this one was sold to a gentleman in Mesa, Arizona.

1965 Nissan Silvia (CSP311) – This Silvia belonged to a very dear friend, and upon his untimely passing, was entrusted to us to prepare for resale. Easily the most notable and rare car to grace Datsun Ranch, we thoroughly enjoyed spending 18 months giving her the love and care she deserved. Sold on Bring a Trailer, and she now resides at Malamut Auto Museum in California.

1967 Datsun Roadster (SPL311) – “Marilyn” was a long-time resident at Datsun Ranch, having been acquired in 2007 from a California collector. We added 20,000 miles to her odometer, and she was powered by a stroked R16 engine with a 280Z 5-speed. She was sold in 2023 to a lovely lady in northern Arizona.

1969 Datsun 510 (PL510) – This 510 wasn’t with us for very long, as we obtained two at the same time and decided to keep the 4-door. Equipped with a built L18 and dual Webers, it would’ve been a fun project, but she was sold to a good friend in Southern California.

1970 Datsun Roadster (SPL311) – This Roadster wasn’t with us for very long either, as it was purchased as a lot with two other Roadsters. This one donated a few missing parts to our ’67 Roadster and was sold via Craigslist.

1970 Datsun 240Z (S30) – This Series One Z car was purchased with the full intention of a high-end restoration. Before we could proceed, a private collector (and good friend) in Canada adopted her for his collection, and she has since been fully restored.

1971 Datsun 240Z (S30) – This Z car was purchased to be a frequent driver, and was probably the best-driving Z I’ve owned. With several period-correct mods from the 1970’s, this Z had loads of power and fantastic handling. Sold to a local collector in order to finance another project.

1971 Datsun 510 – Another “package deal” car, there wasn’t much to be repaired on this one, but it got shipped off to Canada to replace rusty panels on another 510. Paid for the trip and a nice dinner, so that’s a win.

1972 Datsun 240Z (S30) – “Bella” was acquired in 2006 and restored as an engagement gift to Becky (and was also the testbed for Zpowersteering). Unfortunately, her low-budget restoration didn’t hold up well to frequent driving (and a potent RB25DET powerplant), so her drivetrain was removed to go in our current project, Bella 2.0. The shell is now living in Canada.

1972 Datsun 240Z (S30) – Found this one in Anthem while buying a set of wheels – The price was too good to pass up, and this one was parted out via eBay to save several other Z cars.

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – This Z was purchased as a low-mileage survivor (that had been stored for 30 years) with the sole intention of making it as perfect as possible. Over two years, a non-invasive restoration was conducted at Datsun Ranch, with a goal of selling to finance other projects. This Z fetched $54k on Bring a Trailer, which we believe is a record for an original 1973 model.

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – This Z was purchased to “scratch the itch” of not wanting to drive the pristine survivor Z (see above). But after a full restoration, someone local decided they needed her more than I did, and made me an offer I couldn’t refuse.

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – One of the cleaner Z’s that have graced Datsun Ranch. This car required very little to make it worthy of resale, and within two weeks it was purchased and on its way to northeastern Canada.

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – This Z was the sister car to the ’73 that I sold on BaT. This one was undergoing mechanical sorting and a “rolling restoration” when a fellow enthusiast requested to purchase it. Another one gone!

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – This was probably one of the ugliest Z cars I’ve hauled home. Seller said “Just get it out of my driveway.” Got it home, had it running in an hour, and it absolutely screamed! I’m pretty sure this one got a scuff and a coat of primer before it was sold as a rolling restoration project for some lucky buyer.

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – OK, another “ugly Z” that came as a 4-car package deal… Bought this one for parts, and even after stripping it down, someone reached out to me and bought the shell. AZ Datsuns are good for that!

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – See above – Car #2 of the quartet of 1973 240Z’s bought in ONE day!

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – See above – Car #3 of the quartet of 1973 240Z’s bought in ONE day!

1973 Datsun 240Z (S30) – See above – Car #4 of the quartet of 1973 240Z’s bought in ONE day! The GTO body kit was included, and what better way to ship it to Canada than to strap it onto an existing shell!

1974 Datsun 260Z (S30) – Another one of those “While we’re here, what else ya got?” cars… This car was awaiting restoration for ten years, and we caught the owner at the right time. Got it running and driving safely, and shipped it off to a collector in Canada.

1974 Datsun 620 – Another vehicle from our “secret stash” in Northern Arizona. This 620 was ugly but driveable, and with a little TLC, was sold for a solid profit (and got someone off to a good start on a full restoration).

1975 Datsun 620 – Another “two for one” deal (see above) – Cleared out the seller’s garage and parted this one out for a nice profit.

1975 Datsun 280Z (S30) – Purchased in tired but intact condition, this Z received a rebuilt engine and lots of mechanical refurbishment soon after purchase. The stripes were allegedly a special package offered by a certain dealer, and so I reconditioned the tired paint. This one got snatched up by a good friend, who has since continued the restoration.

1976 Datsun 280Z (S30) – This one was found in tired but intact condition, with no rust. Lots of mechanical refurbishment was done, and after a rolling restoration and a fresh coat of paint, this Z was delivered to a customer in Canada.

1976 Datsun 280Z (S30) – This Z car had irreparable fuel injection issues, but a rejetted spare set of SU carbs and some mechanical upgrades made it a healthy driver. Another one shipped to a Canadian customer!

1976 Datsun F10 – Hard to find one of these in functional condition. This one spent a year at Datsun Ranch for a full rolling restoration, and it now belongs to the owner of Z Sport Canada.

1976 Datsun F10 – This car was a freebie (with good reason). Used it for parts to restore the nice F10, and it’s now been recycled into Taiwanese patio furniture.

1979 Datsun 620 Pickup – Another well-worn Arizona example, with no rust. Again, tons of mechanical refurbishment was done, and I believe this truck was traded for some body and paint work on one of my keepers.

1979 Datsun 620 Pickup – Yet another well-worn Arizona example – this one was acquired in trade for a modified and restored rolling 620 frame, and soon thereafter was sent to a collector in Canada.

1979 Datsun 620 Pickup – ANOTHER well-worn Arizona example – this one was picked up on one of our “picking” runs to northern AZ, and a fellow in Tucson purchased it soon thereafter.

1980 Datsun 200sx – Be careful when you tell someone you’re looking for a 200sx – This one was suggested by a friend, and I didn’t specify what year. Regardless, it turned out to be a pretty decent purchase, and after several days of wrenching and light restoration, it headed north of the border to yet another Canadian collector.

1981 Datsun 720 4×4 – Too functional to pass up, but needed more restoration than I was willing to do… A few mechanical repairs and was sent to a collector in Canada.

1981 Datsun B310 Wagon – This one didn’t stick around long… Thoroughly used up, but mechanically sound, this Arizona example got a tune up and some safety updates, and was sold to a local friend to continue the project.

1983 Datsun 720 4×4 – Another “two-for-one” deal, this camo-painted monstrosity was sitting outside a paint & body shop. Paid the mechanic’s lien, brought it home, fixed some minor issues and sent it off to a new home for a tidy profit.

1989 Nissan Pao – Playing around on a Japanese auction site one night while working on the NICOclub site, I placed a bid for this slicktop 5-speed Pao in great condition… and somehow, I won. Added some mods, enjoyed it for several years, and sold it to make room for more projects.

1990 Nissan 240sx (S13) – Another Arizona car since new, this 5-speed 240sx had been neglected, but had tons of potential (and the rare heads-up display option). Fresh engine, paint, suspension, tires and wheels had her back on the road, and she recently was sold to a collector in Ohio.

1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R (B13) – No Nissan collection is complete without one of Nissan’s legendary sleepers, and I was fortunate to own this unmolested, low-mileage Arizona example for several years. 100% original, this car was a blast to drive and got lots of attention from true Nissanheads who know of its reputation. It’s now living with a collector in Ohio.

1993 Nissan 240SX Convertible – Purchased out of SoCal as a pristine driver in 2003, this car would go on to become one of the more famous S13 builds. “The Droptop From Hell” was an out-of-control project, with a 450+hp KA-T, airbags, custom body and interior mods, and a lot of attitude. Sold in 2013 to help finance a new house.

1995 Infiniti G20t – My daily runabout for a few years, the G20 is one of those cars that’s easy to fall in love with. Reliable, cheap to own, and a blast to drive, this one got a refreshed engine and mild mods before being delivered to a new owner.

1995 Nissan Hardbody (D21) – Every once in a while, I’ve taken on a project for a friend and gotten a little too attached… This was one of those trucks. Nearly a full year was spent on this restoration. This truck was a load of fun to drive, and I wish I’d had room to keep it. She’s now the official parts hauler at Z Sport Canada.

1995 Infiniti Q45t – The car that started it all – This car is responsible for the birth and growth of NICOclub, and was my daily driver and family hauler for several years. I’m sure there are still a ton of online posts about “Quella”, and she’s one of the few I wish I had kept.

1997 Nissan Hardbody (D21) – For some reason, I always wanted to restore one of these to keep, so I bought a raggedy example from a local landscaper and restored it inside and out. She stuck around for about four years before being sold to a good friend in TN, who flew out and drove her home. They’re just bulletproof!

1997 Infiniti Q45 – Arguably one of Infiniti’s best cars, this Q45 came from a friend who didn’t want to sink money into repairs. Fortunately, it was a reasonably simple issue, and after some refurbishing, this one got a new lease on life with a young family.

1998 Nissan 200sx – This one was bought sight-unseen out of Las Vegas, and closer inspection revealed it wasn’t quite as advertised. Another week’s worth of repairs and replacing janky fixes, and it’s now my co-conspirator’s daily driver in Nova Scotia.

1999 Nissan Frontier – I purchased this one from a fellow who was moving overseas, thinking it’d be a nice truck for one of my sons. It was in great condition, and the V6 / 5-speed combo made it too nice to turn over to a teenager! I drove it for a couple years before listing it for sale, and I still see it driving around in our area.

2000 Nissan Pathfinder – I purchased this truck for my [late] wife to replace our aging 1990 Suburban 4×4. Again, the V6 and 5-speed in these trucks is just wonderful, and she drove it for several years. It was sold to a good friend in Florida after she passed.

2002 Nissan Xterra – Yet another V6 / 5-speed combo, this era of trucks was (in my opinion) Nissan’s high point. This one was bought at auction, and after some light refurbishing and maintenance, was sold to a friend who drove it over 300k miles.

2003 Infiniti G35 – Found a low-mileage example in Atlanta in 2007 and had to have it. This car served as my daily driver for several years, and also saw tons of track time in the western US. Mods included a Vortech supercharger, forged wheels, coilovers, and Greddy aero kit. Sold this one after a terrible experience with ProEFI (hot garbage).

2003 Nissan 350Z – Bought this one to scavenge the differential and Brembo brakes for another project, and placed an ad on Craigslist for the seats – The buyer showed up and bought the whole car as a drift missile. Another win!

2005 Nissan Frontier SE 4×4 – Can’t take credit for this one, as it belonged to Becky before we met. This truck took us on our first date and hauled her stuff to AZ – and became our tow-rig, grocery getter, and building materials hauler for several years. Another V6 / 6-speed example, and one of the best vehicles we’ve ever owned.

2008 Nissan Cube – Having advance notice that this car would be released, I bought the first one delivered to Arizona. In my haste, I probably should have held out for the manual trans (the CVT was wretched). GAB Sport wheels from Japan and a wrap made this one a head-turner for several years.

2012 Nissan Titan LE 4×4 – Purchased to replace the Frontier, the Titan was a capable performer and a fantastic tow rig. After adding headers, intake and exhaust, we put 150k miles on it (hauling Datsuns all over the southwest) and sold it when we needed an even larger truck.

2014 Nissan Xterra 4×4 – Becky’s favorite vehicle by far, this Xterra got her through nursing school and gave us over 100k miles of flawless performance. Another V6 / 6-speed combo, this one was hard to let go of.