Lot Ended
Description
Car 77 – Driven to the UK
from Australia while completing the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Rally; Gold medal
award winners for completing all stages; FIVA identity card; originally sold by the current owner back in
1975; restoration with a bare metal respray just completed; rust free
car; very rare opportunity to own and drive a car with such
history.
The Datsun 260Z of the mid-1970s continued Nissan’s successful Z-car lineage, pairing the
long-bonnet GT silhouette with the robust
2,565cc straight-six L-series engine. Known for their
mechanical simplicity, strong torque delivery and excellent balance, the 260Z
has long been favored for long-distance rallying, offering
durability and an engaging, analogue driving experience. Increasingly sought
after today, good right-hand-drive examples are rare, especially
those with notable provenance.
This particular car carries a fascinating
story. The vendor sold the new Datsun model in Australia in period and
originally supplied this very 260Z to a close friend in 1975. It remained with
that owner for many years until his passing, after which it was inherited by his
grandson, who used it briefly before selling it back to the original
supplier—now the current owner. Few cars return to the hands of the person who
first sold them half a century earlier, and fewer still go on to achieve what
this one has.
With a long-held ambition to undertake a proper
motoring adventure, the owner chose the 2025 Peking to Paris Motor Rally as the
ultimate challenge. Extensive preparation work was carried out beforehand,
including a full engine rebuild, gearbox overhaul, and comprehensive
refurbishment of the brakes and suspension. The only part unavailable in time
was the reverse idler gear, so the gearbox was rebuilt without it; on occasion
the reverse gear can be heard engaging—a harmless and rather charming
reminder of the car’s rally story.
The rally itself was a resounding success.
Entered as Car 77, the 260Z completed every stage, earning a Gold Medal. The
only issue encountered was fuel vaporization caused by the mechanical pump
overheating—ingeniously solved in the wild by rerouting the windscreen washer to
spray water over the pump. A new mechanical fuel pump is now
fitted.
After
the rally, the car was driven to the UK where it underwent a full
bare-metal body restoration. Remarkably,
the restoration photographs—taken only a month ago—show the car completely stripped of
paint, offering rare transparency into its condition. The shell proved
rust-free, a significant advantage given
how susceptible UK-market cars are to corrosion. The
engine and mechanicals have since been checked over and fully serviced, with no
oil leaks reported, making it hard to believe the journey this car has
completed.
The
paperwork includes the original handbooks, warranty and service booklet, Nova
certificate, the NSW registration document, FIVA card and many restoration
receipts.
Accompanied by a FIVA identity card, this is a
rare opportunity to acquire a 260Z with genuine international rally pedigree,
long-term ownership history, fresh
restoration and exceptional structural integrity.
A compelling candidate
for future historic events or simply for enjoyment on the
road.
Contact:
david.tassell@brightwells.com