MARKETWATCH: Nissan Fairlady Z432 sold for $253,000

Moments ago, a 1970 Nissan Fairlady Z432 that crossed the block at the Amelia Island auctions sold for $253,000, making it the most expensive publicly exchanged S30 Z in the world.

We reported on the listing a month ago, and at the time RM Auctions estimated a price of $150,000-200,000. As the first of its kind to sell at a major auction outside of Japan, predictions were conservative, especially with the lackluster performance of Nihon Steel in Scottsdale. I was most optimistic, guessing it would sell on the high end of that span at $200,000 on the Hooniverse podcast earlier this week.

However, when the hammer came down, the range-topping Nissan sports car with factory installed Skyline GT-R twin-cam multivalve motor had rocketed past expectations to the tune of $230,000. With the standard 10 percent in auction house commission and fees, that’s $253,000 out the door.

Not only that, but according to reports from the ground, it was a rather depressed market this weekend, with many cars from that era selling at prices below expectations.

The condition of the Z432 is reported to be honest and well maintained but unrestored. It’s reasonably but not entirely original, with many of the key parts separating the Z432 from more pedestrian Fairlady Zs retained.

With the sale of a hakosuka Skyline last year also passing the quarter-million mark, it appears that Nissans are joining the ranks as collector’s items among the world’s automotive elite.

Meanwhile, a German-owned Toyota 2000GT with incorrectly sized wheels, non-original exhaust and aftermarket locks on the access panels sold for $880,000. The orange Mazda 110S Cosmo Sport was withdrawn for reasons unknown.

Images: RM Sotheby’s