Datsun 240Z
Introduction
When it comes to sports cars from Japan, the Datsun 240Z has to be one of the most important names in history. Besides making Nissan’s Z-series famous, it also changed everybody’s perception of all Japanese vehicles. But have you ever wondered why this is so and what this car was so significant for? Sure, it had both performance and appearance to its side, but that is only the part of the equation. So, we will explore the history of the legendary Datsun 240Z and find out what it meant for Nissan.
The story behind the Datsun 240Z
Following the end of World War II, and especially by the early 60s, the US-automotive market became a fast-growing place. Needless to say, every car manufacturer wanted a piece of this action. This included several major Japanese brands, among which Nissan seemed to be the one with the most potential. At that time, the Yokohama-based manufacturer had several attempts at the US market, with their models achieving limited successes. Still, to firmly position themselves on the automotive map and in the eyes of the American buyers, Nissan really needed a car that would turn heads wherever it appeared. And among all models in their arsenal, the Fairlady Z most closely fitted the bill.
This elegant 2-door coupe was inspired by similar British and Italian cars of the time, which were popular among true automotive connoisseurs. Its main rivals were MGBs and Alfa Romeos, with had both the reputation and heritage. From any point of view, the Fairlady Z did look as sleek and sophisticated as these cars. But to compete with them, it had to offer more. This is where precise engineering and dependable reliability comes into play. Thanks to these upsides, the Nissan Fairlady Z had all the makings of a future automotive hit.
Before hitting the US market in 1970, the car received several minor modifications, whose aim was to make it more appealing to an average American. The name was also changed to Datsun 240Z, as Nissan was already present in North America with this heritage brand. This was also, in a way, a fail-safe measure if the car would fail to become a success. Had that happened, Nissan, who had high ambitions for this market, could simply distance itself from the Datsun name. But as it turned out, this was nowhere near necessary.
The elegant design
For many, the pinnacle of coupe and roadster design was during the late 50s and throughout the 60s. This was an era before safety regulations and standards when designers could sculpt their cars the way they liked. And nobody was better at this than British and Italians, with their MGs and Alfas. It was only logical for the designers at Nissan to draw their inspiration from these cars while creating their new 2-door coupe.
The Datsun 240Z was one of the textbook examples of a 70s sports car. It had a long hood in the front, seats for two persons in the middle, and just enough space for their luggage at the back. Still, this Japanese coupe was not just a mere copy of its European counterparts. With its recognizable shape and design language, the Datsun 240Z is not the kind of car that could be mistaken for any other.
Innovative and reliable mechanics
The mechanics under Datsuns’ skin are an excellent example of Japanese precise and functional engineering. Its inline-6 engine was one of the first versions of a popular and long-lived L-series. With a robust design, this machine was reliable and almost indestructible. The particular engine in Datsun 240Z, as the car’s name may imply, had a 2.4L of displacement, producing 130 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. This may not seem a lot, but the whole car was also light, weighing only a bit over 2000 pounds. However, transmission choices were a bit odd for this type of vehicle. Buyers could only choose between a standard 4-speed manual and an old-fashioned 3-speed automatic. It was never clear why the 5-speed manual, although available in Japan, never came to the US.
The suspension was, for most drivers, this car’s party tease, as it used one of the most advanced setups of that time. In front, Macpherson struts offered an excellent balance between handling and complexity. But it was at the back where this car’s brilliance came to its own. Instead of a live axle, which was a usual, yet not the best handling-wise solution, the Datsun 240Z had Chapman struts. This race-derived independent suspension setup was very forgiving and ensured higher cornering speeds. Another thing that made this car such a thrill to drive was its steering, which used a rack-and-pinion mechanism. This was a much sharper and more precise setup than other then-common steering solutions.
Performance and driving experience
With its original carburetor and a four-speed manual transmission, the Datsun 240Z was a fast and agile car. When pushed hard, it would go from 0 to 60 in about 8 seconds, and it could break, then magical, 120 MPG barrier. As such, it could go neck-to-neck with more powerful American muscle cars. This is quite an achievement, given it only had a small 6-cylinder engine under its hood, as opposed to the massive V8s these domestic rivals used. Additionally, this engine had an excellent torque distribution, making it responsive and smooth to drive. So, it may be safe to say the Datsun 240Z was competitive in the performance department.
But what really set this coupe far apart from most of its competitors was its handling. It was fast and, more importantly, easy to control through tight bends. For the most part, this was down to the elaborate suspension and low body weight. Among other upsides, sharp steering with an abundance of feedback from the road was the most notable one. Because of all this, the Datsun 240Z became a favorite pick among drivers who enjoyed rumbling down twisty roads.
Why was Datsun 240Z so important?
Shortly after its release, Datsun 240Z became a hit among drivers, making it a huge success for Nissan. This was the car that also consequently ushered in the way for the long-living and hugely popular Z-series. Still, neither of these are the reasons for this coupes’ importance. Datsuns’ most significant achievement was how it transformed the perception of Japanese cars among average American buyers. Sure, most models before were reliable and well-made vehicles. But they were also purpose-built machines that usually focused on fuel efficiency and practicality. On the downside, most of these cars were not quite exciting to drive. Datsun 240Z changed that, as it ticked all the right boxes as a sports car. It proved that Japanese cars could be exciting and thrilling while also being reliable and practical. As a result, buyers consequently became more aware of what Nissan and other far-east manufacturers could offer.
What is it like to own a Datsun 240Z today?
Reliability and suitability for every-day-use are not the virtues that most old sports cars can show off. Instead, many of them are prone to frequent and usually expensive breakdowns. This includes carburetors that go out of tune and electrics that can be quirky. Or, to put it simply, most classic cars are beautiful to look at yet problematic to live with. The Datsun 240Z, however, is not such a car. It offered all the thrills of European sporty roadsters and coupes without any of their key downsides.
Still, the Datsun 240Z has several potential weak spots, among which the corrosion is the most noteworthy. Like many of its contemporaries, this popular Japanese coupe is prone to rust. This problem affects both the body panels and, more crucially, the structural framing beneath them.
After analyzing everything, it is easy to see why Datsun 240Z was predestined for success. In addition to its sleek looks and respectable performance, this car was also reliable and easy to live with. But more importantly, it proved to American buyers that Nissan could make a fun and exciting car. This consequently wide-opened the gates to the wast US market for other models and manufacturers.
