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Restored 1970 Nissan 240Z Sells For $33,920 At Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction

22 August 1997

Restored 1970 Nissan 240Z Sells For $33,920 At Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction

                 Nissan Auctions Vintage Z-Car for First Time
                    and Gives Proceeds to Local Charities

    MONTEREY, Calif., Aug. 22 -- Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A.
sold a vintage 1970 Nissan 240Z for $33,920 at the 12th Annual Monterey Sports
& Classic Car Auction, marking the first time a major manufacturer has
undertaken a high-volume restoration of a historic model and sold the product
to the public.
    The vehicle was sold to an international car collector from Japan.  All
proceeds from the sale went to local Monterey charities including the Kinship
Center, benefiting children in need of foster and adoptive families, and the
Rotary Club of Monterey.
    "Nissan and our Monterey area Nissan and Infiniti retailers are proud of
the spirit and generosity generated by today's charity auction," said Dave
Ilchert, Model Line Manager, Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A.  "There was a
refreshing passion celebrated here today among collectors and enthusiasts not
only for classic automobiles, like the 240Z, but for this community."
    Z-cars were the first Japanese-made breakthrough sports cars in the United
States and were the fastest selling sports cars of all time, reaching sales of
one million units.  Now, the vintage Zs (1970s) are sold along with classic Z-
cars (1990-1996 model years) at 10 Z stores located at selected Nissan
retailers nationwide.
    The 240Z restoration process includes the full disassembly of each vehicle
and complete inspection and inventory of each vehicle part with approximately
800 new parts added to each vehicle.   Upon completion of the restoration
process, each vehicle undergoes a 200-mile test drive and inspection by Nissan
quality control engineers.  The restored cars are covered by a 12-month,
12,000 mile limited warranty, the same warranty the car offered when sold new
in the '70s.
    "Restoring Zs allows us to keep the proud heritage of these beloved and
respected vehicles alive," said Ilchert.  "The Rick Cole Auction was an ideal
platform for Nissan to showcase this industry-first restoration process.
    "The annual Monterey Sports & Classic Car Auction is one of the most
influential collector car auctions in the world, held during the Monterey
Historic Weekend.   The auction features more than 150 exotic and rare
coachbuilt motor cars. For more information, please call Rick Cole Auction
Company at (619) 350-0800.

SOURCE  Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A.