WELL BOUGHT
An offbeat alternative to a Capri, GTV or Monza, the understated fifth-gen Skyline can still be bought for sensible money – as this cracker ably demonstrated
CAR 1979 Datsun Skyline 240K-GT SOLD £11,025 ORIGINAL ESTIMATE: £12,000-15,000. Classic Car Auctions, NEC, 23/24 March
Interest in the stylish Datsun 240K-GT is on the up.
As any market watcher will know, 1970s Japanese cars are becoming more popular as the market rebels against the red-corduroy brigade who wouldn’t have a good word to say about any car with a Datsun (or any other Japanese marque) badge on it. Those Japanese car enthusiasts would have known what this was, but many others wouldn’t – and that gave the knowledgeable ones a head start.
This fifth-gen Skyline was one of around six examples believed to survive in the UK.
240Ks aren’t exactly abundant here in the UK – although the model has been given a profile boost thanks to its appearance in the latest series of Car SOS. This one had seen some restoration work a couple of decades ago, when new OEM front wings, sills and door skins were fitted, along with a new clutch and exhaust system. There had been a colour change too, from green to this rather striking Subaru blue, and the wheels had been refurbished. The history file was said to be ‘good’ and there were two sets of keys to accompany the car.
The body was in very good condition throu
