Background
The Datsun 240Z (later called 260Z and 280Z), was a car built by Nissan Motor Ltd. of Japan from 1969 until 1978. The car was marketed as the Nissan Fairlady Z in Japan but as Datsun in other markets. It was conceived by Yutaka Katayama, the former president of Nissan Motor Corporation USA and designed by a team headed by Yoshihiko Matsuo.
The cars became a commercial success, especially because of their low entry price, great styling and impressive performance and were able to compete with European counterparts such as the MGB GT, whose styling was starting to show its age. The success was in fact so imminent that large waiting lists were the result and put Japanese car-makers onto the map and broadened their acceptance overall by the public. It also allowed the brand to build its dealer network in order to ensure easy purchase and maintenance.
From a technical perspective, the cars featured independent suspension on all four wheels consisting of McPherson struts in the the front and Chapman struts at the rear. The front wheels were equipped with discs whereas the rear still came with drum brakes.
Power on the 240Z came from a straight-six 2.4-litre engine fitted with twin SU-style Hitachi side-draft carburettors putting out 151 hp at 5.600 rpm. In 1973, these carburettors were replaced with single carburettors to comply with strict US emission standards and diminishing performance. US cars built in 1975 and onwards were fitted with a Bosch injection system.
Design on the 240Z remained largely the same throughout production, but early cars up until mi-1971 had slight differences compared to later examples. The most notable differences were the deletion of a chrome badge on the sail pillar and two horizontal vents in the rear hatch below the glass molding.
Most cars were equipped with a four-speed manual and a less common three-speed automatic was optional from 1971.
