Everything you need to know about the Datsun 240Z

December 19, 2022

Datsun

The Datsun brand gained prominence in Europe around 1970. We as Europeans were behind in this, as the brand had been established in the United States 10 years earlier. Datsun responded to the fuel shortage due to the oil crisis by developing models that were compact and did not weigh much. These models also had fuel-efficient engines. With the Datsun 240Z, Datsun wanted to create a sporty image. Since the 1980s/90s, the Datsun brand has continued under the new name Nissan, which is still a well-known phenomenon in the car market today.

Datsun 240Z

The Datsun 240Z was built from 1969 to 1978. During these years, Datsun marketed no less than sixty versions. The car is very sporty. The car has a uniquely shaped front end in which the lights are very deep. There is a 2.4-liter 6 cylinder inline engine in the car that provides 150 horsepower and a top speed that is around 200 kilometers per hour. Within eight seconds, you will drive 100 kilometers per hour. The 1970 models have a manual choke and a four-speed manual transmission. From 1971, the three-speed automatic transmission entered the market. The car has rear drum brakes and front discs. The Datsun 240Z was a huge success. The car was fast, inexpensive and reliable for the time.

What should you look out for when buying a Datsun 240Z?

If you want to add a Datsun 240Z to your fleet, it is wise to watch out for rust. In a car of that era, this is a common problem. We also recommend you pay attention to gearbox synchros and timing chain tension. The 240Z is not priceless. From 30,000 euros you can buy a nice one and if you invest a little more you will have the best variant.

American copies

Beware of American 240Zs, as they are often poorly restored and have only four gears. Also note the bodywork. The panels should be straight and there should be no large gaps. This is because then there is a greater chance of damage. One windfall is that spare parts are relatively easy to find, especially for the brakes. Still, there are some parts you need to import from the United States. The Datsun 240Z is a wonderful “youngtimer” with which you are definitely going to get a lot of driving pleasure out of.