Datsun: 240 Z in top sporting shape
SPORT CAR CLASSIC The Datsun 240 Z became a true icon of the brand in the 1970s, which is now also known as Nissan in Europe. A Ticino native has now restored one of these sports coupés.
Fabrizio Ribeiro, an engineer from Ticino who specializes in sensor technology and robotics, has been interested in cars - and drift events - for many years. He first practiced drifting on the PlayStation, and in 2019 he acquired a 1995 Nissan 200 SX for a sporty ride on the road, which he tuned with KW suspension, special exhaust and roof spoiler.
With standard drive
A little later, he came across a 1972 Datsun 240 Z on the Internet, which was on the roads of California. Fabrizio was immediately impressed. Because the sports car was equipped with an in-line six-cylinder engine and standard drive, had never been decommissioned for long and had never been extensively restored, it was exactly what the Nissan fan was looking for. The car was then brought from the USA to Europe by the Dutch importer Alfamario, and the company Müller-Gysin AG, which specializes in international transport, finally transferred it to Ribeiro's workshop in Ticino.
Extensively restored
Once there, Ribeiro turned his attention to the car's electrics. The speedometer had to be given a km/h scale, and switches and plugs had to be repaired or replaced. The company DPM Motorsport from Le Locle then took care of the Swiss registration of the vehicle.
The carburetor and ignition were overhauled at the beginning of 2022. New wheel bearings and new wheels were further modifications, and various rust repairs were also necessary. And of course, Fabrizio also wanted to further improve the driving dynamics with the installation of a new, perfectly adjustable V3 coilover suspension from KW Automotive. Front camber plates, ST stabilizers at the front and rear and a powerful strut brace were also integrated. The vehicle rolls on 195/70 R 14 Yokohama-Advan-HF tires and decelerates with Nismo brakes.
Classics in Lucerne
However, after all the conversion work, the Datsun has only been completed for the time being. Fabrizio Ribeiro has further plans. He wants to fit larger wheels and an LSD limited slip differential and possibly integrate shorter ratios for gears 1 to 3 in the 5-speed gearbox.
The spruced-up classic car can be admired from May 31 to June 2 at the KW automotive stand at Swiss Class World in Lucerne.
