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Datsun 240Z - the first successful Japanese sports car

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Created on June 29, 2011

Reading time 8min

Written by:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

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Bruno von Rotz

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Balz Schreier

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Archiv

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Daniel Reinhard

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Bruno von Rotz

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Balz Schreier

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Archiv

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - wunderschöne Linienführung

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$Datsun 240 Z (1974) - die Wolfrace-Felgen waren eine zeitgenössische Tuning-Möglichkeit$

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - Oldtimer in Obwalden OiO 2011

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Datsun 240 Z an der Planai Classic 2010

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - aus dieser Perspektive sahen viele Zeitgenossen den schnellen Z

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - der Erfolg ist nachvollziehbar, robuste Technologie, attraktives Kleid und günstiger Preis

Bild von Partner Planai Classic 2025 Inline 1

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - das Front-Design wurde bis zum Ende der 260 Z Baureihe beibehalten

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - die Ausführung der vorderen Scheinwerfer lösten die Japaner ohne Mithilfe von Goertz

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - vom Apfelbaum fiel er nicht, aber erfolgreich war er auf jeden Fall

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - ein klassischer Sportwagen mit langer Haube und kurzem Passagierraum

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - dukt sich im Gras

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - in den Siebzigerjahren hiessen Nissan-Fahrzeuge in Europa noch Datsun

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - auf der Heckklalppe prangt das 240-Z-Zeichen

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - als ein Nissan noch Datsun hiess

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - auf dem Zylinderkopf steht es, Nissan und obenliegende Nockenwelle

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - Zwei SU-Vergaser befüllen den nicht querstrom-beatmeten Reihensechszylinder

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - der Reihensechszylindermotor ist längs eingebaut

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - reichhaltiges Cockpit, viel Plastik und nachgerüstete zeitgenössische Schalensitze mit Stoffbezug statt Vinyl

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - Zusatzinstrumente für Wasser-Temperatur, Öldruck, Benzinstand und Stromfluss, sowie Uhr

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - mehr Leder gab es nicht, Schalthebelbalg

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - Fensterkurbeln, Vinyl udn Plastik - im Interieur wird bescheiden gelebt

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - Zwecks besserer Zugänglichkeit lassen sich am Rande der Motorhaube zwei zusätzliche Klappen öffnen

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - kraftvolle Frontansicht

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - am Genfer Autosalon 1973 ausgestellt

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Datsun 240 Z (1972) - auf der Autoaustellung macht er was her

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Datsun 240 ZG (1972) - ein nicht nach Europa exportiertes Modell

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - rennfertiger Z bei einer Ausstellung

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Treffen von rund zwanzig BMW 507 im Beisein von Graf Albrecht von Goertz, der auch die Form des Datsun 240 Z kreierte, aufgenommen im Jahre 1972 bei Winterthur

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Datsun 240 Z (1972) - East African Safari 1972

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - bei der Press on Regardless (POR) Rallye in den USA

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - Kallstrôm im wilden Drift

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Datsun 240 Z (1975) - Bob Sharp auf einem schnellen Z

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Datsun 240 Z (1975) - Bob Sharp im schnellen Z

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Datsun 240 Z (1971) - bei der Rallye Monte Carlo 1971

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Datsun 280 Z (1975) - Paul Newman auf dem in Europa nicht erhältlichen 280 Z

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Datsun 2000 Sports (1967) – Hannu Mikkola und Anssi Järvi bei der Rallye Monte-Carlo 1968

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Datsun 240Z an der Planai Classic 2010

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Summary

The Datsun 240 Z was built from 1969 to 1973 and was the most successful sports car of its time. With its design and technology, Nissan had hit the nerve of the times in America, but the Z also had a considerable fan base in Europe. Only a few examples have survived (in Europe) and are cherished and cared for accordingly.

This article contains the following chapters

Not the first sports car from Datsun
Design by Count Albrecht von Goertz, or not?
Aimed at the American market
Robust and proven technology
Active and successful in motorsport
Fast enough and reliable
A whole family
The most successful sports car in the world in its day
Z-series production figures
Now rare
Further information

Estimated reading time: 8min

Preview (beginning of the article)

An (almost infinitely) long hood, a short cabin, two seats, a crisp, short rear end, in-line six-cylinder engine, SU carburettors, rear-wheel drive, independent suspension all round and an attractive price compared to the competition... Yes, that almost sounds like the description of the Jaguar E-Type. And that's probably what the Japanese had in mind when they designed the Datsun 240 Z. However, the new sports car was presented to the public (in Tokyo) in 1969 and not in 1961. And became one of the most successful sports cars of all time. Sure, there were other extraordinary sports cars from Japan: Toyota GT 2000, Toyota Sports 800, Honda S800, etc.. But none of them could even begin to shine on the market like the Datsun 240 Z. Nevertheless, only a few remain.

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