A 1978 Datsun 260Z might have no appeal whatsoever to a young person, but those who are a generation older will tell you that in its heyday this Japanese sports car was immensely popular, offering a cheap alternative to the gorgeous, but unattainable for a blue collar man, European GTs of the time. That is why the car still has a huge fan base and is considered a top-shelf classic.

Just as it was the case back then, the Datsun 260Z is today a top-shelf classic that is very affordable. This one you see here is quite possibly the most desirable example of the car in the world – save that rather unsightly Copper Bronze paint job – as it has only 8,285 original miles on the clock. And yet it is headed to the Classic Car Auctions’ (CCA) September Sale with an estimate of £18,000 to £22,000.

Still in its original factory condition, this 1978 Datsun 260Z has been in storage for the past 21 years. And do worry about the long period of inactivity wreaking havoc with the car’s perishable ancillaries. It has already undergone a thorough inspection by specialists and has gotten a clean bill of health. This forefather of today’s Nissan 370Z is now ready to be driven… or to be put in storage again by a new owner until the prices go up again and it reappears for another sale.

“This car is an unrepeatable opportunity to own what could be one of the lowest mileage ‘Z’ cars in existence”, explains Guy Lees-Milne, auction manager of CCA. “This fantastic car is a rare find ready for recommissioning or preserving, and will make for a very rewarding and straightforward project for the winning bidder.”