Slide 1

The classic lines of a first-gen Datsun Z car, the handling of a four-corner coilover suspension, and the power of a GM LS engine—Eric Ritz’s 1973 240Z combines these elements into a killer ride that’s at home on the street, the road course, and even the drag strip. Eric and his father originally built the 240Z for a friend of the family. Once they got it up and running, the owner drove it a few times and decided it wasn’t for him. Eric bought the car back and tore it back down for a complete redo.

Slide 2

The 240Z has a fully adjustable coilover suspension based on conversion kits from Techno Toy Tuning with ST Suspensions sway bars, QA1 high-travel coilover springs, and Bilstein front strut inserts for, of all things, a first-gen VW Rabbit. According to Eric, they fit the 240Z strut but have two inches less travel, allowing the struts to be shortened. You’ll have to go to Germany to get a pair.

Slide 3

The 16 x 8 Rota RB wheels are wrapped with 225/50-16 Yokohama ADVAN Neova ADO8 tires. Behind those wheels are disc brakes with 12 inch diameter Hawk DTC rotors and Wilwood four-piston calipers with Hawk HPC pads.

Slide 4

The LS2 engine and T-56 six-speed transmission were borrowed from a 2006 GTO. Eric upgraded the engine with a COMP Cams rocker arm roller trunnion kit, a FAST intake manifold and fuel rails, MSD coil packs, and custom-built Sanderson headers. Eric fabricated a custom airbox with a K&N filter element and wrapped it in DEI Reflect-a-Gold heat shield material. The engine is controlled by a factory GM computer with a custom-made wiring harness. Note how clean the engine bay is; Eric is a fanatic about keeping wiring, lines, and other plumbing neat and tidy.

Slide 5

Eric’s father found a rust-free ’73 body shell on eBay. If you are familiar with 1970s Datsuns (or most Japanese cars of the period), that was no mean feat. The shell was sent to McMahan Autosport in Akron, Ohio to have a custom roll cage installed. Made from 1.5" mild steel tube, the cage is fully welded to the A-pillars and suspension points.

Slide 6

Eric and his father fabricated the aluminum floor panels using dimple dies and a bead roller and mounted them over the factory sheetmetal. They built the dash and console from aluminum and covered them in black suede with carbon fiber accents. The seats are Recaros from a Mitsubishi Evo8 on custom-built mounts.

Slide 7

Eric designed the switch labels and had them laser-cut from a special white plastic with red vinyl facing. When the letters are laser-etched in the plastic, the vinyl is removed to reveal the white label text.

Slide 8

Eric fabricated this trick fresh air vent panel from aluminum and carbon fiber. The vents themselves are Vintage Air parts.

Slide 9

When Eric bought the car back, he tore it down and coated it inside, outside, and underneath in in the brightest white basecoat-clearcoat paint he could find. DEI heat shielding was used in the floor and tunnel areas to combat the heat in the cockpit. The bumpers and door handles are made from carbon fiber.

Slide 10

Eric modified the factory hood with Trackspec hood vents designed for a BMW M36. Your eyes are not deceiving you—the Quik-Latch hood latches are mounted on the back of the hood due to the factory’s forward-opening design.

Slide 11

Who knew Poles liked Z cars? A Polish company called TC3 Innovation Composites made that cool composite taillight panel, and as far as we know it’s the only one in the States.

Slide 12

Eric designed the laser cut acrylic extenders for the BRE-style rear wing. “I was influenced by real race cars that have an adjustable clear spoiler, so I designed the extenders and had them cut,” he explained. “They probably don’t do anything to help performance at the track, but they look good!”