Datsun 240Z's influence still felt today

The Datsun 240Z was both a departure and a leap forward for anyone seeking an affordable sports/GT car in the early 1970s - aside from the Chevrolet Corvette there simply weren't any, or none that could be considered for service as reliable daily drivers.

It was also a technological step up that lifted the entire segment to a higher plane, and set the stage for the levels of quality, refinement and sophistication that drivers enjoy in sports cars today.

When Datsun's Japanese parent, Nissan, introduced the 2-seat 240Z coupe in late 1969 as a 1970 model, the sports car world of the day was stunned, and suddenly woefully outdated.

The 'Zed', as many Canadian enthusiasts came to call it, brought strong and lightweight steel monocoque (unibody) construction where much of the competition was still body-on-frame. It also boasted 4-wheel independent suspension versus mostly solid rear axles and leaf springs and a 150 hp single overhead camshaft inline 6-cylinder engine. This at a time when the others had mostly small-displacement 4-cylinder pushrod motors with way less power.

Other 'innovations' included interior room for two 6'3" adults and a driver friendly cabin with full instrumentation, AM/FM stereo with power antenna, imitation wood 3-spoke steering wheel and a big rear hatch door that gave it uncommon utilitarianism.

It was stylish and, some argued, the first beautiful car to come out of Japan. The recessed "sugar scoop" headlights harkened to the E-Type Jaguar, and there were hints of the Mustang Fastback, Porsche 911 and even Aston Martin DBS in its rakish design. Nissan insisted the Zed was not modeled after any of those and that it was, in fact, based on early stylings and sketches by Albrecht Goertz, the German stylist who penned the ever-young BMW 507.

Fast for its day, the 240Z could attain 100 km/h from zero in eight seconds flat, topping out at 210 km/h (125 mph). Only American muscle, led by the Corvette, was faster.

Buyers could order an all-synchromesh, 4-speed manual or automatic transmission. Air conditioning was optional.

And then there was the price: At $4,195 in Canada (including AM radio), the 240Z became an instant sales success.

Not all was perfect, however. Owners joked grimly that the steel used in the body was made of recycled beer cans, as the cars rusted badly when driven anywhere north of the American sunbelt. The power antennae perched atop (and housed within) the Zed's left rear quarter panel seldom lasted beyond a single winter before seizing from salt.

Steering, by way of an unassisted rack and pinion setup was heavy at slow speeds though it lightened nicely as velocities rose, and the hard, buckboard ride often received criticism.

There was no dispute or disagreement, however, with the Zed's fun-to-drive quotient.

Technically not the first Japanese sports car, the 240Z was the first to sell in large numbers outside Japan, and to be so very influential on the entire segment. Purists point to Toyota's alluring 2000GT as perhaps the first true Japanese sports car, but only 337 were built. Datsun did sell in small numbers its 1500, 1600 and 2000 compact convertible roadsters in North America, and in Japan Honda had the high revving (8,000 rpm!) S500, S600 and S800 micro sportsters.

Sales-wise, and as an icon in the industry, the 240Z dwarfed them all.

Here was an actual all-weather sports car that could be counted on to start every time, and to perform effortlessly with confidence, safety and style.

The 240Z became the 260Z in 1974, then the 280Z, 280ZX and 300ZX before Nissan discontinued the line in 1996. With each makeover it became heavier, mushier and slower than the original, and each time less pure a sports car. Weight-adding items like power windows, mirrors and door locks, power-adjustable seats, power steering and in one later model 300ZX, a big bass woofer speaking up through the bottom of the driver's seat (!), did nothing to aid either their agility or performance.

The Datsun 240Z showed lots of style, elegance and class for its price in its day, not to mention unheard of comfort, with agile handling and predictable balance.

Perhaps most importantly, it went as well as it looked.

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