S30 (1969 to 1978)

The Nissan S30, marketed globally as the Datsun 240Z, 260Z, and 280Z between 1969 and 1978, is the foundational masterpiece that successfully challenged the European sports car hegemony with its blend of elegant styling and robust performance. In the 2026 collector market, the original 240Z reigns supreme with market values for pristine "Series I" examples frequently surpassing $110,000 AUD, while well-maintained 260Z and 280Z variants offer a slightly more accessible entry point between $35,000 and $60,000 AUD. The car’s desirability is anchored in its iconic long-nose, short-deck silhouette—penned by Yoshihiko Matsuo—and its high-revving L-series inline-six engine, which remains a favourite for its mechanical simplicity and tunability. The buyer pool has shifted significantly towards Millennial and Gen X collectors who prize the S30 as a blue-chip Japanese classic, alongside a passionate Australian enthusiast base that specifically seeks out the five-speed manual, right-hand-drive models delivered locally during the 1970s.

The Nissan S30, marketed globally as the Datsun 240Z, 260Z, and 280Z between 1969 and 1978, is the foundational masterpiece that successfully challenged the European sports car hegemony with its blend of elegant styling and robust performance. In the 2026 collector market, the original 240Z reigns supreme with market values for pristine "Series I" examples frequently surpassing $110,000 AUD, while well-maintained 260Z and 280Z variants offer a slightly more accessible entry point between $35,000… Read more