The Datsun 240Z (known as the Nissan Fairlady Z in the Japanese market) was one of the most important sports cars of the 1970s. This video covers the conception, development, and lasting legacy of the Datsun 240Z.

The Datsun 240Z made its first public appearance on October 22, 1969, at the Pierre Hotel in New York. Coverage from the New York Times was rather cut and dry, though it did compare the overall form to Jaguar’s machines. It also earned praise from the LA Times.

It was a smash hit with the general public, but would the motoring press come around to it?

First impressions were quite favorable. Ron Wakefield called it a bargain in the 1970 edition of Road and Track magazine. He praised the generous level of standard equipment and strong performance figures before saying that the thought Datsun had a winner on its hands.

The 240Z even impressed reviewers in Great Britain, which had historically been a tough market to penetrate for Japanese makes. In the March 1972 edition of Motor Sport Magazine, writer Andrew Marriott referred to the car as a “civilized GT carriage.” The no-nonsense IP earned favor with him. It also had little trouble accommodating drivers over 6 feet tall. The author notes that this was an area that Japanese cars struggled with. Perhaps Nissan was trying to appeal to his British sensibilities by sending out a model finished in Racing Green, but it wasn’t necessary. The magazine thought highly of it and lamented the fact that their own country didn’t build a car that was on par with it.

The Z was one of the most accomplished racing machines of its day, proving its mettle on the circuit as well as in the rally scene. Datsun was already making a name in the SCCA racing scene in both the east and west divisions. The 510 and Datsun Sports found some success, but the Z would take the brand to heights unseen. Brock Racing Enterprises spearheaded their efforts out west. The club didn’t race for them officially in 1969, they won their division in the SCCA Pacific Coast circuit and earned a spot in the SCCA Nationals in Daytona. Nissan took notice.

The 240Z was the right car at the right time. It outclassed its contemporaries in many respects, offering strong performance and unprecedented practicality in an affordable package. It was a smash hit, but how long would this be the case? The 1970s were a period of massive upheaval for the automotive industry. Many 60s sports cars were altered beyond recognition once they crossed into the new decade. Would the same be true for the Z?


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TIMESTAMPS

0:00 INTRO
6:01 EARLY DESIGN PROCESS
11:59 ENGINEERING
21:33 NAMING/USA TESTING
28:48 DEBUT
34:11 MAGAZINE REVIEWS
39:38 RACING PEDIGREE
44:47 CHANGES/260Z/280Z

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