The allure of a well-preserved vehicle from recent history is undeniable. Perhaps it’s the contrast to the vehicles we often see deteriorating on the streets, or maybe the irony of calling a car that isn’t even old enough to drink a classic. Yet sometimes, it’s the intriguing backstory of how that car became a time capsule. Take, for example, this listing for a 1997 Nissan 240SX with only 676 original miles for sale in New York, which has been circulating through the car enthusiast community recently.
However, there’s a catch: the entire story might be fabricated.
The initial advertisement reads like a plot from a film. The sole owner, known by the initials BV, claims he took delivery of a new 1997 200SX from a Long Island dealership, only to find that it wouldn’t idle properly during his drive home. After five unsuccessful visits to service, he asserts that he was involved in what he believes was the first successful Lemon Law lawsuit against Nissan. Picture the John Travolta film A Civil Action, but focusing on Japanese vehicles instead.
Following the legal battle, the owner was allegedly offered an upgrade to a ’97 240SX. Unfortunately, this car also presented problems: upon changing the oil at home, he noticed severe water damage. Upon investigation, he discovered that the vehicle had previously been submerged during a flood at another dealership, prompting another court visit where the same judge ordered Nissan to provide a replacement.
Yet another challenge arose. According to BV, by this time, production of the 1997 model year had concluded. Nevertheless, Nissan allegedly created a final “display” version of the car for auto shows. This vehicle was so meticulously cared for that it even had a custom mahogany crate for shipping, prompting the judge to order the company to relinquish it when he learned of its existence. BV claims that this car is exceptionally well-made, featuring a rust-resistant “DuraSteel” body. He then dedicated the next twenty years to maintaining and preserving the car with great care. The images certainly support his claims.
This remarkable narrative undeniably adds considerable value to the car’s $125,000 asking price, particularly in the collector market where a compelling backstory can significantly influence desirability. Despite the bold assertions about the lawsuit, including claims that Nissan fought vigorously to avoid altering advertisements that suggested their cars had never been Lemon Law cases, The Drive found no contemporary reports or records verifying these events in court databases. We reached out to Brian Collins, the manager of Deluxe Car Storage, who is overseeing the sale, to ask about the vehicle’s history.
Collins explained that a friend led him to this remarkable car, and he confirmed its outstanding condition. The previous owner had gone to great lengths to keep it in immaculate shape, even constructing custom ramps to store it in his sister’s living room during winter months. The only drawback, he joked, is that it is an automatic.
While Collins had not seen any supporting documents regarding the car’s extensive history, he expressed belief in the owner’s story, stating, “He would have to have the most vivid imagination ever to make all this up.” He even indicated a readiness to connect us with the owner—a “real nice guy” named Bruno, who is in his mid-sixties. Collins observed that Bruno appeared “very emotional,” even tearing up as he delivered the car for what might be its final sale. When Collins was asked if Nissan had made contact regarding the car, he mentioned that a former employee and avid 240SX enthusiast had reached out for the VIN to investigate further into its background.
As it turns out, this inquiry proved crucial. Just ten minutes after speaking with Collins, he received distressing messages from the former Nissan employee. He informed that the narrative was likely false, emphasizing that a base-model 240SX would never be showcased as a show car and that the claim about the bespoke mahogany crate seemed implausible. Additionally, he pointed out inconsistencies with the VIN and noted a Jaguar badge on the back of the car instead of the Nissan emblem.
Upon reflection, the story does indeed have significant holes. Did a judge truly utter, “Five of you to fight one honest customer?” to Nissan’s attorneys while demanding they surrender a valuable display vehicle? Did the dealership really try to sell a flood-damaged 240SX as new after the original lawsuit? Did this entire saga prompt a senior executive to leave the company?
“It’s a very strange situation,” Collins confessed.
The owner’s reaction to the attention surrounding the car adds another layer of complexity to this tale, particularly when it comes to selling a vehicle purportedly worth six figures with an extraordinary backstory. After informing Collins that The Drive wanted to interview him about the car, he exhibited reluctance. Collins recalled, “He said, ‘I don’t want to talk about it. I’m having a hard enough time dealing with getting rid of the thing, you know? I don’t want to talk about all the legal matters or bring names into it.’”
Collins was empathetic, recalling how Bruno had difficulty leaving the building during the car’s drop-off. However, the alert from the former Nissan employee added a new dimension to Bruno’s unwillingness to engage with the media. When Collins spoke to him again, Bruno had decided against discussing the car at all and conveyed a message, stating, “If you want to find the legal documentation, go ahead. I’ll provide whatever info you discover, but I’m not digging up past files or discussing it.” Collins relayed his thoughts: “If the narrative isn’t factual, this guy has an incredible imagination. If it’s true, it certainly adds a unique aspect to the car’s value, but ultimately, it’s still a 600-mile 240SX.”
Collins seems to carry a level of skepticism toward the story but still hopes it’s accurate, wishing that the “nice guy” he’s interacting with is not fabricating tales. Meanwhile, the ads on Craigslist and Hemmings remain active since, as he stated, “none of this changes the fact that it’s still a 600-mile 240SX.” He also expressed doubts about the former Nissan employee’s credibility, as he had never met him in person.
An additional source of information could be Nissan itself. Regrettably, after several attempts to reach out, the company responded to The Drive with a brief statement indicating they would not comment.
In conclusion, we are left with more questions than clarifications, the primary one being: is a 676-mile 1997 Nissan 240SX truly worth $100,000? The answer hinges on one’s willingness to believe.
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