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Datsun 260Z 2+2 - longer, better, more elegant?

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Created on July 12, 2017

Reading time 7min

Written by:

Bruno von Rotz

Photos:

Daniel Reinhard

Nissan / Datsun

Archiv Zwischengas

Archiv

Daniel Reinhard

Nissan / Datsun

Archiv Zwischengas

Archiv

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - die Verängerung hat der Coupé-Linie nicht geschadet

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - der Schritt vom 240 Z ist designmässig klein

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - serienmässige Aluräder

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - mit praktischer Heckklappe

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - mit einer Verlängerung des Radstands und des Dachbereichs wurde Platz für zwei zusätzliche Sitze geschaffen

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - lange Haube, kurzes Heck

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - eigenständige Frontgestaltung

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - mit kräftigem Heckspoiler

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - die dicken Spoiler führten u.a. zu einem geringen Luftwiderstand

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - heute eine seltene Erscheinung hierzulande

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - typische Farbe aus der Zeit

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - 0 bis 100 km/h schaffte das 1,1 Tonnen schwere Coupé in rund 11 Sekunden

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - über 200 km/h schnell war der "Z" damals bei Messungen

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - viel Fahrspass bot das Datsun-Coupé

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - im Motorsport brillierte das Datsun-Coupé vor allem bei Langstrecken-Rallyes

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - wirbelte damals Staub auf und fällt auch heute noch auf

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - das zwei-plus-zweiplätzige Coupé hinterliess seine Spuren

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - galt für lange Zeit als erfolgreichster japanischer Sportwagen

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - sportliches Cockpit

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Datsun-Schriftzug in der Lenkradnabe

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Hauptinstrumente in tiefen Höhlen

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - fünf Gänge, knackig zu schalten

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - für HiFi musste damals mit nachträglich eingebauten Lautsprechern gesorgt werden

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - LIV-Gurtschlösser

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - der Gurt wird einfach an Schelle befestigt

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - zwei Türöffner

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - tief liegender Türöffner für den Fahrer

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - zweiter Türöffner für die Hintensitzenden

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Stoffpolster und Kunstledereinfassungen

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - wandelbarer Innenraum - die Rücksitze konnten umgeklappt werden

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - längs eingebauter Reihen-Sechszylinder

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - obeliegende Nockenwelle, zwei Vergaser

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - klassischer Motorenbau

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - zusätzliche Klappen geben Zugang zu Flüssigkeitsbehältern und zur Batterie

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Zusatzklappe lässt sich separat öffnen ...

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - ... und erlaubt das bequeme Nachfüllen

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - massive Scharniere für die Haube

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Chassis-Plakette

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Buckel für den Motor in der Motorhaube

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - versenkte Scheinwerfer, gegen Aufpreis konnte man auch Glasabdeckungen haben

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - auf dem Heckspoiler beschriftet

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Markenzeichen auf der Motorhaube

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Datsun-Zeichen auf der Kühlerhaube

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - der Dachbau wurde im Vergleich zum 240 Z leicht nach hinten verlängert

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - "Z"-Zeichen auf der Flanke

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - deutliche Beschriftung auf der Flanke

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1977) - Datsun-Schrifzug auf dem Heckspoiler

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Datsun 240 Z (1969) - frisch in die USA importiert und präsentiert

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Datsun 240 Z (1970) - auf dem 49. Autosalon Brüssel

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Datsun 240 Z (1971) - typisch japanische Rückspiegel

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Datsun Z 432 Fairlady (1970) - der Motor stammte direkt vom R-380 ab

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Datsun 240 Z (1971) - noch als Zweisitzer

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - am Rallye Monte Carlo 1973

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - Rallye Monte Carlo 1973 - Rauno Aaltonen

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - Rallye Monte Carlo 1973 - Motor

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - East African Safari

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Datsun 240 Z (1974) - Safari Rallye 1974

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - East Safari Rallye 1973 - Carlstrom

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Datsun 240 Z (1973) - East Safari Rallye 1973 - Shekkar

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 (1973) - Präsentation an der 20. Tokyo Motor Show am 26. Oktober 1973

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Datsun 260 Z 2+2 - mit verlängertem Radstand und zwei Sitzen im Fond, mit 2,6-Liter-Motor knapp 30'000 Franken teuer - am Genfer Automobilsalon 1974

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Datsun 260 Z (1975) - Zwei-plus-Zweisitzer

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Datsun 260 Z (1975) - Zweiplätzer vom 260 Z 2+2 abgeleitet und für 25'000 Franken im Angebot - Genfer Automobilsalon 1975

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Datsun 260 Z (1977) - Werbeaufnahme von damals

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Datsun 260 Z (1977) - Interieur der 2+2-plätzigen Variante

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Datsun 260 Z (1977) - die zweisitzige Variante

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Datsun 280 Z-T (1978) - als Zweisitzer, der Nachfolger des 260 Z

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Summary

In 1973, Nissan presented the Datsun 260Z 2+2 as the successor to the popular 240 Z. With 30 cm more wheelbase and two additional seats, the coupé had become significantly more practical, but also cost considerably more. This did not detract from its success, however, and the press was certainly impressed by the elegant Japanese car. And so were we! This driving report describes the history of the 2.6-liter sports car and shows it in current and historical pictures, supplemented by a sales brochure and a sound sample.

This article contains the following chapters

Design recipe refined
Optimized technology
More space, more weight
Satisfied press representatives
Replaced by the 280 ZX
Japanese Granturismo
Further information

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

With the Datsun 240 Z , the Japanese had built the most successful export sports car ever from 1969 onwards. However, they did not rest on their laurels, but announced a two-plus-two-seater and higher-displacement version as early as 1973, which also found many friends in Europe. The modified version was presented to the public at the Tokyo Motor Show. Automobil Revue reported in November 1973: "The main attraction at Nissan Motors Co. as the manufacturer of Datsun automobiles, which is just behind the Toyota Group as the leader in terms of production, is the Datsun 260Z 2+2 fastback prototype. With this version, the manufacturer is responding to the request for two additional seats, which was mainly expressed in the USA, but which could only be realized by extending the wheelbase with corresponding bodywork modifications. The increased weight should be taken into account by installing the 2.6-liter OHC six-cylinder engine (version as in the Datsun 260 C), which with 150 hp exceeds the 2.4-liter unit of the base model 240 Z by 10 hp. Start of production: presumably before the end of the year."

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