Manufacturer Nissan Class Sports car | Production 1969–1978 | |
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Also called Nissan Fairlady Z
Datsun 240Z
Datsun 260Z
Datsun 280Z Assembly Hiratsuka, Kanagawa, Japan (Nissan Shatai Plant) Body style 2-door coupé
2-door 2+2 coupé | ||
The Nissan S30 (sold in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and in other markets as the Datsun 240Z, then later as the 260Z and 280Z) was the first generation of Z GT two-seat coupes, produced by Nissan Motors, Ltd. of Japan from 1969 to 1978. One of the most successful sports car lines ever produced, the trend-setting S30 was designed by a team led by Yoshihiko Matsuo, the head of Nissan's Sports Car Styling Studio.
Contents
- 240Z
- Specifications
- World Rally Championship round victories
- 260Z
- 280Z
- Fairlady
- Fairlady ZG
- Fairlady Z432
- Fairlady Z432R
- Racing
- Relaunch attempts
- References
Seeking to compete head-to-head with established European sports cars, Datsun priced the new 240Z within $200 of the British MGB-GT in the United States, a five year-old design that showed its age. The 240Z's sleek styling, modern engineering, relatively low price, and impressive performance struck a major chord with the public. Positive response from both buyers and the motoring press was immediate, and dealers soon had long waiting lists for the "Z".
As a "halo" car, the 240Z broadened the acceptance of Japanese car-makers beyond their econobox image. Datsun's growing dealer network compared to limited production imported sports cars manufactured by (Jaguar, BMW, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, and Fiat ensured both easy purchase and ready maintenance.
All variants of the S30 have a four-wheel independent suspension consisting of MacPherson struts in front (borrowed from the Nissan Laurel C30) and Chapman struts in back. Front disc brakes and rear drums were standard.
The 240Z used twin SU one-barrel side-draft Carburetors. These were replaced on the 260Z with Hitachi one barrel side draft carburetors beginning with model year 1973 to comply with emissions regulations, resulting in diminished overall performance. Bosch designed L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection was added to U.S. 280Zs in 1975 to compensate.
Continuing through the 1975–1978 model years, other non-US markets still received the 260Z coupe and the 260Z 2+2 hatchback — the two-door, four-seat model. The S30 240Z is unrelated to the later 240SX, which is sold as the Silvia in Japan, although initial advertising for the 240SX mentioned the S30.
240Z
The 1970 240Z was introduced to the American market by Yutaka Katayama, president of Nissan Motors USA operations, widely known as "Mr. K". The 1970 through the mid-1971 model year 240Z was referred to as the Series I. These early cars had many subtle but notable features differing from later cars. The most easily visible difference is that these early cars had a chrome "240Z" badge on the sail pillar, and two horizontal vents in the rear hatch below the glass molding providing flow through ventilation. In mid-1971, for the Series II 240Z-cars, the sail pillar emblems were restyled with just the letter "Z" placed in a circular vented emblem, and the vents were eliminated from the hatch panel of the car. Design changes for the US model 240Z occurred throughout production, including interior modifications for the 1972 model year, and a change in the location of the bumper over-riders, as well as the addition of some emission control devices and the adoption of a new style of emissions reducing carburetors for the 1973 model year.
In Japan, it was exclusive to Nissan Japanese dealerships called Nissan Bluebird Stores, and was first introduced in Japan in 1969.
The 1970 models were introduced in October 1969, received the L24 2.4-liter engine with a manual choke and a four-speed manual. A less common three-speed automatic transmission was optional from 1971 on, and had a "Nissan full automatic" badge.
In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number two on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1970s.
Specifications
World Rally Championship - round victories
In 1973, the 240Z, in the hands of Shekhar Mehta, won the 21st East African Safari Rally.
260Z
The 260Z was sold in the United States for the 1974 model year only, but was available in other countries until 1978. The engine was enlarged .2 L to 2.6 L by lengthening its stroke. In the US, federal emissions regulations forced a reduction in ignition timing and compression ratio, resulting in a lower power output (140 hp) for the 260Z despite the additional displacement, whereas in other countries the power output increased to 165 bhp (123 kW; 167 PS). There was also a 1974.5 model sold through the second half of 1974 in the US that had the full 165 bhp (123 kW; 167 PS) with the addition of the larger 5 mph safety bumpers, that would become the standard for the 280Z.
A four-speed manual remained standard equipment, with a three-speed automatic transmission optional.
A 2+2 model built on a 11.9 in (302 mm) longer wheelbase was introduced, with larger opening quarter panel windows and a slightly notched roofline.
The 260Z claimed a few updates and improvements over the 240Z. The climate controls were more sensibly laid out and easier to work, and those cars with air conditioning now had the A/C system integrated into the main climate control panel. There was also additional stiffness in the chassis due to a redesign of the chassis rails which were larger and extended further back than previous models. A rear sway bar was added as well. The 260Z debuted a redesigned dashboard and console, as well as new seat trim, and door panels for the interior. The tail lights were updated, moving the back up lights from the main tail light housing to the back panel. Early 1974 US 260Z models had bumpers that resembled those of the earlier 240Z, though increased slightly in size, pushed away from the body somewhat, and wearing black rubber bumper guards rather that the previous chrome bumper guards with rubber strips. These early cars still had the front turn signals located below the bumpers. Late 1974 U.S. 260Z models (often referred to as 1974.5 models) carried the heavier bumpers that would remain on the 1975-76 model years of the 280Z so as to be in compliance with United States bumper legislation in 1973. These late cars had the front turn signals relocated to the outer edges of the front grill, above the bumper.
Specifications
280Z
Nissan released the Datsun 280Z model for the U.S. market in the 1975 model year. In a further effort to keep the S30 models sporting in the face of increasingly stringent U.S. emission and safety requirements, engine size was again increased, this time to 2.8 L. The L26 engine was bored out .2 L to create the L28, and a reliable Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system was added.
1975 and 1976 models continued to be fitted with the U.S. federally required 5 mph (8.0 km/h) impact absorbing bumper that were introduced for the mid-1974 model year of the 260Z. These bumpers were smooth surfaced, and blended into smooth black rubber extensions as they met the body of the car. 1977 and 1978 models received bumpers with recessed channels added to the faces of the bumpers themselves, that blended into corrugated or accordion style black rubber extension trim. Also new for the 1977 model year, 280Zs no longer received the full size spare tire, and instead had a "space saver" spare and a larger fuel tank. This resulted in a raised rear deck area made of fiberboard, reducing cargo space. In 1977–78 an optional 5-speed manual transmission was available alongside the 4-speed manual and the 3-speed automatic options. It included a "5-speed" emblem on the left bottom edge of the rear hatch. 1977 also saw an update from the charcoal painted hubcap style (with a chrome Z floating in the amber center emblems) to a hubcap that resembled an alloy wheel, bearing a center cap with a chrome Z floating in a black circle.
In 1977 and 1978 respectively, Datsun offered two special edition models. The "Zap" edition was offered in 1977 as a "Special Decor Package". Zap cars were finished in Sunshine Yellow paint, and sported black stripes down the center and sides, with yellow, red, and orange chevrons at the front ends of the stripes. An estimated 1,000 "Zap Z" cars were offered in 1977. The "Zap Z" model was also used as the pace car in the 1977 Long Beach Gran Prix. The Black Pearl edition (produced in 1978) came with Black Pearlescent paint and a "Special Appearance Package" (SAP), which consisted of dual racing mirrors, rear window louvers, and a unique red and silver stripe. It is estimated that between 750-1,500 of these cars were produced.
Two-seat coupe 280Zs remained available throughout the 1975–78 model year run of the 280Z. The S30 series was replaced in 1979 by the Nissan S130.
Specifications
Fairlady
The Fairlady Z was introduced in late 1969 as a 1970 model, with the L20 2.0-litre straight-6 SOHC engine, rear-wheel drive, and a stylish coupe body. The engine, based on the Datsun 510's 4-cylinder, produced 130 hp (96 kW) and came with a 4-speed manual transmission
Fairlady ZG
The Japan-only HS30-H Nissan Fairlady ZG was released in Japan in October 1971 to homologate the 240Z for Group 4 racing. Differences between the Fairlady ZG and an export market Datsun 240Z include an extended fiberglass ‘aero-dyna’ nose, wider over-fenders riveted to the body, a rear spoiler, acrylic glass headlight covers and fender-mounted rear-view mirrors. The Fairlady ZG was available in three colours: Grande Prix Red, Grande Prix White and Grande Prix Maroon. The "G" in Fairlady ZG stands for "Grande." Although the ZG was not sold in the USA and was never sold outside Japan, in order for it to be eligible for competition in the U.S., Nissan sold the nose kit as a dealer's option which is known as the "G-nose". With the nose added, these 240Zs are often referred to as 240ZGs, outside Japan.
Fairlady Z432
Packaging the 160 hp (119 kW) S20 engine (originally designed by the former Prince engineers) from the Skyline GT-R created a faster Fairlady. The Z432 (PS30) referred to 4 valves per cylinder, 3 Mikuni carburetors, and 2 camshafts. Approximately 420 were built. Some were used by the police in Japan.
Fairlady Z432R
A Japan-only model Fairlady Z equipped with the twin cam 2.0 L inline 6-cylinder "S20" engine shared with the KPGC10 Skyline GT-R was released in the JDM Market for homologation purposes (the car was a rally car). The Z432R was orange with black aluminum wheels and a low luster black hood. Z432R had lighter front guards, doors, and bonnet, as well as further engine enhancements compared to the Z432.
Racing
The Z was very successful in SCCA racing in the 1970s: Bob Sharp Racing out of Wilton, CT with Sharp, Elliot Forbes-Robinson and later Paul Newman as some of his drivers; and Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) in the western US with John Morton driving a Datsun 510 and 240Z (#46). Other drivers, such as Clearwater Florida (and later Maryland) racer Don Kearney had much success with the Z-car between 1970 and 1978. The Z is also credited as a catalyst for the import performance parts industry. Nissan also supported and was associated with Bob Bondurant's race driving school from its inception.
In 2013 Nissan claimed its 97th SCCA national championship victory with Greg Ira at the wheel of his orange #2 RevTech 240Z. On his way to his championship Ira set several road course records in SCCA's E Production class, beginning in 2006, including:
• Daytona International Speedway, FL • Heartland Park, KS • Homestead-Miami Speedway, FL • Palm Beach International Raceway, FL • Road America, WI • Sebring International Raceway, FL • Virginia International Raceway, VA
Ira was awarded SCCA's prestigious Kimberly Cup in 2008. Previous Kimberly Cup recipients include Bob Holbert, Roger Penske, Mark Donohue, and Peter Revson.
On September 27, 2015, Greg Ira won his second (and Nissan's 98th) SCCA National Championship, in his EP2 Revtech/Ztrix.com 240Z, at Daytona International Speedway.
Relaunch attempts
From 1997 to 2002, Nissan did not offer the Z-car line except in Japan where they sold the 300ZX (Z32) until 2000 as the Fairlady Z. In 1998, Nissan launched a program to bring back the Z-car line by first purchasing original 240Zs, then restoring them to factory specifications, and finally selling them to dealerships for $24,000. This was an effort to keep Z-car interest alive. Nissan over-estimated the market for the cars and low demand (and the high price) meant that less than fifty cars were re-manufactured and sold. Furthermore, in 1999, a concept car was shown to the public in a plan to return to the fundamentals that made the 240Z a market success.