1972 Datsun 240Z

Engine

Engine

2393cc Inline 6

Gearbox

Gearbox

5 Speed Manual

Drivetrain

Drivetrain

Front Engined Rear Wheel Drive

Brakes

Brakes

Hydraulic Front Disc, Rear Drums

Performance

Performance

161 bhp 146 Ft-Lb

Color

Colour

Exterior White Interior Red

Hightlights:

Description:

Probably no other car had anywhere near as big an impact on the production of inexpensive sports cars as Datsun’s 240Z. When it was introduced in 1969, the intent was to compete with European sports carsand initial pricing was comparable to the MGB-GT and well under the price of a Jaguar, Porsche, Triumph, or Alfa Romeo. At the same time, labour issues in Europe, new safety and emissions regulations in the US, and the aging of the underpinnings of many of Europe’s entry level sports cars led to a drop in build quality, while at the same time the Japanese built Datsun 240z was proving itself to be more reliable and well built for the cost, with better performance than its competitors. As a result, the 240Z sold over 116,000 examples from 1969 to 1973 and lead, in many ways, to the collapse of the British car industry, as well as pushing Fiat and Alfa Romeo out of the US market. The Z cars weren’t immune to the US emissions regulations and to help combat them, the 240Z was replaced with an almost identical 2.6 Liter 260Z in 1974, which suffered from some emissions-related flaws making them the least desireable variants, and then in 1976 the 260Z was supplanted by the also largely identical but much better performing fuel injected 280Z, which, however, gained ungainly oversized bumpers to meet crash regulations.

This 240Z is largely a very well preserved relatively low mileage example which has had some restoration work carried out on it, with an emphasis on preserving originality. It has been repainted at some point though the paintwork was well done and blends in well with the subtle patina elsewhere on the car. When I purchased the car, it was fitted with its original 3 speed automatic transmission, which, by far, was the biggest detractor to the car. The transmission would hunt for gears at certain speeds and, overall, was a big detractor to the driving experience as a sports car. As I happened to have a 5 speed gearbox out of a Datsun 280Z on hand, which I had acquired with parts to install it in an MG, I instead opted to fit that gearbox in place of the original automatic, which proved to be a relatively straightforward procedure. Performance from the Datsun 240Z is incredibly good, with very smooth, linear acceleration, excellent steering and brakes, and good driver feedback. The quality of the construction is also quite good, given its price point and it is a very well engineered, reliable car.

Exterior

Interior

Gallery