The 240Z built something new when it hit the market in 1969. For around $3,500, Nissan’s car gave you the performance and breeding of cars twice the price. It was a big hit from the start.
Unlike earlier sports cars, which were often thought to be not all that practical and not all that reliable, the 240Z was designed with a rational basis in mind It was cheap and fun to drive.
The 240Z was the first Japanese car that the rest of the world had to take seriously. It had a raucous design that broke all stereotypes.
Before the 240Z came along, Japanese cars were supposed to look cheap, be practical but slow, have no power capabilities whatever.
Datsun’s were well-known for their good sedans. The 240Z changed that. Its long, aggressive bonnet Line and overall design indicate that Japan never made such a car before.
Therefore, the 240Z broke these stereotypes. It showed that Japan could produce stylish, powerful and desirable sports cars, power is an important aspect.
Reliability and performance were never sacrificed for power. With a 2.4-liter inline-six engine that delivered an astonishing 151 horsepower, it was a true sports car in the best sense.
But prices were still relatively low. Compared to their European counterparts, the 240Z was priced significantly lower no matter where one looked at those models.
By creating a car that looked like a Jaguar but had the reliability of a Toyota, the 240Z was able to attract buyers who would not ordinarily have considered going for Japanese Cars.
Ultimately its success paved the way for the Nissan models of tomorrow and helped to set new design and engineering standards throughout the industry.
Performance
The engine of the 240Z was 2.4-liter L24 six cylinder, with 151 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. It had a 4-speed manual gearbox and could reach 60 mph in about eight seconds – an impressive feat at the time.
Yet alongside this, thanks to sophisticated independent suspension and powerful disc brakes, the 240Z also have an unparalleled straight-line stability that actually surpasses many cars which cost much more money.
0 to 60 mph: About 8 sec.
Top speed: 125 mph approximately.
Handling: Independent suspension and well-balanced chassis for sure-footed cornering performance.
Braking: Disc brakes up front give you a solid feeling, every time you push on them.
One key aspect of the 240Z was that unlike many European sports cars, prone to temperamental breakdowns, it was reliable enough for everyday driving and long-distance cruising.
This combination of performance and reliability was a real revolution, bringing in another type of customer who wanted both speed as well as dependability.
The impact on the American market
The 240Z’s success in America was unprecedented. Within the first two years, Datsun had sold over 45,000 examples, attracting US consumers who had hitherto only looked to European marques like Porsche and MG.
Reasons for the 240Z’s success in the USA:
Affordable pricing: It costs considerably less than rivals from Europe.
Reliability: Made-to-last construction, with fewer maintenance problems than other brands.
Motorsports success: Demonstrated its abilities on the track, enhancing its prestige.
The golden era of Japanese sports cars had single-handedly passed away, or so it seemed. That was, until one day in 239 when Datsun engineers unveiled something new at Nippon Race Track–a prototype sports car complete with electronic fuel injection, a tread compound designed for high-speed driving, and aluminum wheels to withstand radial tire psi pressures.
The 240Z showed the world that Datsun was ready for action and could seriously compete in performance cars like no one else could. So for the first time in America, Japanese sports cars became desirable.
