A couple was arrested after stealing a Nissan 240Z from a classic car storage facility, targeting one of the most sought-after Japanese sports cars in the collector market and one whose value has escalated dramatically as pristine examples become increasingly rare.
The original Datsun 240Z launched in 1970 and created the template for affordable Japanese sports cars in America, offering stylish design, a smooth inline-six engine, and handling that compared favorably with European sports cars at a fraction of the price. Original examples in excellent condition now command prices that would have seemed unimaginable when the cars were new.
The couple appeared to have specifically targeted the 240Z rather than taking a more randomly available vehicle from the facility, suggesting foreknowledge of the car’s value and location. How they gained access to the storage facility was part of the investigation.
Both suspects were identified and apprehended. The 240Z was recovered in a condition that investigators described as intact, avoiding the additional tragedy of a theft followed by damage or disassembly.
Charges include vehicle theft and conspiracy, with prosecutors noting the deliberate and premeditated nature of the act in seeking enhanced penalties beyond a standard theft charge.