Background
The Datsun 240Z arrived in 1969 as a revelation. It was Japan’s first true answer to the European sports car - and one that succeeded spectacularly. At a time when British and Italian sports cars dominated the scene with style and driver appeal but struggled with reliability, the 240Z offered something rare: performance, good looks, and Japanese build quality at a realistic price.
Nissan (which used the Datsun name in export markets) saw a gap in the market and filled it with a car that combined the long-bonnet, rear-drive formula of a traditional GT with the dependability and value that buyers were coming to expect from Japan.
The 240Z was styled in-house but bore strong influences from contemporary European cars. It had hints of E-Type Jag and Ferrari 275 GTB in its design, but was clean, modern, and handsome in its own right. Under the bonnet sat a 2.4-litre straight-six engine, derived from Nissan’s existing inline-six truck unit but tuned for performance.
With twin SU-style Hitachi carburettors, it produced around 150bhp and could top 120mph. Independent suspension all round, a five-speed gearbox, and a low kerb weight made the car feel light, agile and eager – exactly what a sports car should be.
In the US where it was primarily aimed, the 240Z was an overnight success. It undercut European rivals like the Triumph TR6, MGB GT V8 and Porsche 911 by thousands of dollars while offering similar or better performance and far greater reliability. Sales rocketed, and Nissan had a runaway hit on its hands. Crucially the 240Z also changed perceptions – it showed the world that Japan could build driver’s cars not just economy runabouts.
By 1974, however, emissions regulations and market pressures meant changes were necessary. Enter the 260Z. It looked nearly identical to the 240Z but brought several important updates. Chief among them was the larger engine: a 2.6-litre version of the same straight-six, designed to compensate for the power losses caused by tightening emissions laws.
It now produced around 165bhp in European spec (though less in US form due to emissions equipment), and torque improved across the rev range, making the car feel more flexible and responsive in real-world driving.
The 260Z also gained detail improvements: better cooling, strengthened chassis components, and – on later cars – a more comfortable, better-trimmed interior. In some markets, a 2+2 version was also offered with a longer wheelbase and occasional rear seats.
Though purists preferred the earlier 240Z for its lighter weight and more raw feel, the 260Z was arguably the better all-round car. It was more refined, slightly quicker, and more capable as a GT – a direction Nissan would lean into with the later 280Z and 280ZX.
Ultimately, the reason for the Z-car’s smash-hit success was simple: it delivered style, speed and reliability in a package that people could afford. It opened up the sports car experience to a whole new audience, and for Nissan it cemented the Z badge as a core part of their brand identity. The 240Z lit the fire, but the 260Z kept it burning stronger and longer.
