Datsun 240Z

Datsun 240Z at a glance

Development and production history

The S30 was the idea of Yutaka Katayama, president of Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A., known widely as "Mister K". He wanted a sports car for the American market and introduced the 240Z there in October 1969. The design team was led by Yoshihiko Matsuo, head of Nissan's Sports Car Styling Studio. In Japan the car was launched in late 1969 as the Nissan Fairlady Z, a 1970 model, with a 2.0-litre engine in the base versions.

The car changed with US rules. In 1973 the US carburettors were modified for emissions, while stricter rules in Japan reduced the power of the L20 engine. In January 1974 Nissan added a 2+2 version with a wheelbase 300 mm longer (GS30). The 260Z was sold in the United States only for the 1974 model year, its output reduced by federal emission rules. In 1975 the 280Z arrived in the US with fuel injection and 5 mph bumpers. In July 1976 the NAPS emission system with exhaust gas recirculation changed the model code to S31. The S30 was replaced for 1979 by the S130, sold as the 280ZX.

Design and engineering

The S30 is a compact two-seat fastback, 4,115 mm long and 1,630 mm wide on a wheelbase of 2,305 mm; the 2+2 stretches the wheelbase to 2,605 mm. The 240ZG homologation model of 1971, built in Japan for Group 4 racing, added an extended "aero-dyna" nose, wider over-fenders and a rear spoiler; a dealer kit called the "G-nose" was sold in the US. The only weight English Wikipedia gives is 1,295 kg for a 260Z 2+2 with automatic transmission.

Engines and drivetrain

The 240Z could be ordered with a four-speed or a five-speed manual gearbox (the five-speed not in the US) or a three-speed automatic. English Wikipedia dates the automatic to September 1970 in one place and 1971 in another. The 280Z gained a five-speed manual from late 1976. Our power converter translates SAE, DIN and JIS ratings into kW.

Datsun 240Z specifications

Z432, 240ZG and special editions

Japan's Fairlady Z432 (model code PS30) used the S20 engine with four valves per cylinder, two camshafts and three Mikuni carburettors, giving 118 kW (160 PS JIS). About 420 were built, and some were used by the Japanese police. The Z432R was a homologation version about 100 kg lighter, with a glass-fibre bonnet, acrylic side and rear windows, no heater, radio or sound deadening and a 100-litre fuel tank, painted orange. Fewer than 50 were built. The 240ZG reached 210 km/h.

Later special editions included the Zap Z of 1977, of which about 1,000 were made, and the Black Pearl of 1978, estimated at 750 to 1,500 cars. In 1998 Nissan itself restored fewer than 50 240Zs and sold them through its dealers at US$24,000 each (1998).

Variants and derivatives

Rallying and racing

Shekhar Mehta and Lofty Drews won the 21st East African Safari Rally in 1973 in a 240Z. As late as 2013 and 2015 Greg Ira won SCCA national championships in a 240Z, described as Nissan's 97th and 98th such titles. Sports Car International placed the 240Z second in its 2004 list of the top sports cars of the 1970s.

The Z car in numbers

From the 240Z of 1969 to the 280Z of 1975, displacement grew by about 15%, from 2,393 to 2,753 cc. The US ratings are not directly comparable, because the 240Z is quoted in SAE gross terms, 113 kW (151 hp). The 280Z is quoted in SAE net terms, 111 kW (149 hp), or 127 kW (170 hp) gross. The 2+2 added 300 mm of wheelbase, or 13%, to the two-seater's 2,305 mm. Japan's Z432 delivered 118 kW from only 2.0 litres, about 59 kW per litre, against about 43 kW per litre for the 240Z's L24 (DIN rating). The later Z generations are represented in our catalogue by the Nissan 370Z.

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