1972 Datsun 240Z

The Nissan Motor Company, formed in 1933, marketed most of its exported products as Datsuns until the latter name was dropped in 1983. The Fairlady series sports cars of the 1960s were followed by the Z-car in 1969 which helped establish the Japanese firm as a force within the sports and GT market. In the Japanese market, it was sold as the Fairlady Z and in other markets as the Datsun 240Z. The 240Z was the first generation of 'Z' two-seat coupes followed by the 260Z and 280Z with production spanning 1969 to 1978. The appearance and shape were heavily influenced by a 1960's styling concept drawn by Count Albrecht Goertz for Datsun and presumably to appeal to the European sports car market. Yoshihiko Matsuo, the head of Nissan's Sports Car Styling Studio, led the design team that penned the 240Z.

The 240Z's 2.4-liter, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine was paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. The three-speed automatic transmission was optional from 1971 forward, and models so equipped had a 'Nissan full automatic' badge. Specifications varied slightly depending on the various markets, with the five-speed manual being unavailable to the U.S.

The 2,393cc L24 inline-six cylinder engine had a cast iron block, seven-bearing crankshaft, two valves per cylinder, an alloy head, 9.0:1 compression, and Direct Acting overhead camshafts. Its bore measured 3.27 inches and its stroke at 2.90 inches. Its output was 151 horsepower (SAE gross) at 5,600 RPM and 146 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 RPM.

The suspension was independent at both the front and rear, with the front relying on MacPherson structs while the rear used Chapman links. The steering was by a rack and pinion system and front disc brakes provided the stopping power. T

he keenly priced 240Z came with a high level of standard equipment and was renowned for its durability and reliability, proven through two outright victories in the Safari Rally in 1971 and 1973.

The 240Z models built between 1969 and mid-1971 had two horizontal vents in the rear hatch below the glass molding and a chrome 240Z badge on the sail pillar. Cars built after mid-1971 had a 'Z' in a circular vented emblem on the sail pillar and were devoid of the vents on the hatch panel, which had allowed exhaust to circulate into the car. Interior modifications were applied for the 1972 model year, and the bumper over-rider location was changed to comply with federal requirements. Additionally, several emission control devices including new emission-reducing carburetors were added for the 1973 model year.

The Datsun 240Z was capable of sprinting from zero-to-sixty mph in 8 seconds and could achieve a top speed of 125 mph. Its success in motorsports, competitive pricing, and sports car appeal made it particularly successful in the USA.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2022