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Thread: Datsun 240Z / Nissan Fairlady Z (S30) 1969-1978

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    Datsun 240Z / Nissan Fairlady Z (S30) 1969-1978

    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) is the first generation of Z GT 3-door two-seat coupés, 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.

    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 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-style Hitachi 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. A Bosch-designed L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection was added to US market 280Zs in 1975 to compensate.

    Continuing through the 1975–1978 model years, markets outside of the United States (and Japan, which only offered the 2-liter engine from 1974) still received the 260Z coupé and 2+2. The S30 240Z is unrelated to the later 240SX, which is sold as the Silvia in Japan.

    Fairlady Z
    The Fairlady Z was introduced in late 1969 as a 1970 model, with the L20 2.0-litre straight-six SOHC engine, rear-wheel drive, and a stylish coupe body. The engine, based on the Datsun 510's four-cylinder, produced 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) JIS and came with a four- or a five-speed manual transmission. For 1973, power of the carburetted engine dropped to 125 PS (92 kW; 123 hp) to meet stricter regulations. In Japan, the Fairlady was exclusive to Nissan Japanese dealerships called Nissan Bluebird Stores. Japanese buyers could also get the L24-engined Fairlady 240Z model (HS30), although the larger engine placed it in a considerably higher tax category. The Japanese-spec 2.4-litre engine produces a claimed 150 PS (110 kW; 148 hp) JIS at 5600 rpm but was discontinued in 1973 as sales had dropped considerably as a result of the fuel crisis, and so until the August 1978 introduction of the Fairlady 280Z only two-liter Fairladys were available.

    When export models changed over to the larger 2.6-liter 260Z in 1974, only 2-liter models remained available to Japanese buyers. A Fairlady 260Z had been planned for release, but the impact of the oil crisis stopped the model, although the 260Z was available in Okinawa (which drove on the right side of the road until 1978). The Fairlady Z received all the changes as applied to the export models, including the addition of a long-wheelbase 2+2 model. Introduced in January 1974, this received the GS30 chassis code. In 1975 the L20 engine gained fuel injection to meet new emissions standards (A-S30, A-GS30) and once again provided 130 PS (96 kW; 128 hp) JIS. At the end of July 1976 the car received the NAPS system, including an EGR system, to meet the stricter yet emissions standards in effect for this year, bringing with it a change in model codes to S31 (C-S31/C-GS31). At the same time, the more luxurious Fairlady Z-T model was introduced - this was strictly an equipment level and did not include a T-bar roof, which was first seen on the succeeding generation Fairlady.

    Fairlady ZG
    The Japan-only HS30-H Nissan Fairlady 240ZG 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 ZG's better aerodynamics allowed it to reach a top speed of 210 km/h (130 mph), five more than the regular Fairlady 240Z (automatics' top speeds were another 5 km/h lower).

    The Fairlady ZG was available in three colours: Grand Prix Red, Grand Prix White, and Grand Prix Maroon. The "G" in Fairlady ZG stands for "Grande." Although the ZG was not sold in the US and was never sold outside Japan, in order for it to be eligible for competition in the US, 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 of Japan.

    Fairlady Z432
    Packaging the 160 PS (118 kW; 158 hp) S20 engine (originally designed by the former Prince engineers) from the Skyline GT-R created a faster Fairlady. "Z432" referred to 4 valves per cylinder, 3 Mikuni carburetors, and 2 camshafts. The model code is PS30. Approximately 420 were built. Some Z432s were used by the police in Japan.

    Fairlady Z432R
    A Japan-only model Fairlady Z equipped with the twin cam 2.0 L inline six-cylinder "S20" engine shared with the KPGC10 Skyline GT-R was released in the Japanese domestic market (JDM) for homologation purposes (to enable its use as a rally car). The Z432R were all painted 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 over the Z432.

    In January 2020 a 1970 Z432R sold at auction in Japan for a record A$1.17 million, about US$837,000.

    240Z
    The 1970 240Z was introduced to the American market by Yutaka Katayama, president of Nissan Motors USA operations, widely known as "Mister K". The early cars from 1969 to mid-1971 had some subtle differences compared to late-71 to 1973 cars. The most visible difference is; 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, there were production changes, including exterior and interior colors, was restyling of the sail pillar emblems were with just the letter Z placed in a circular vented emblem, and the vents were eliminated from the hatch panel of the car, due to complains of exhaust being circulated into the car. Design changes for the US model 240Z occurred throughout production but were not always reflected in the JDM Fairlady if they were specific to federal requirements, 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.

    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. Most export markets received the car as the "240Z", with slightly differing specifications depending on the various market needs.

    In 2004, Sports Car International named this car number two on their list of Top Sports Cars of the 1970s.

    Source: Wikipedia
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    Last edited by Man of Steel; 03-10-2021 at 02:02 PM.
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    Datsun 240Z #2
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    Last edited by Man of Steel; 03-10-2021 at 01:47 PM.
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    Datsun 240Z #3
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    Last edited by Man of Steel; 03-10-2021 at 01:47 PM.
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    Datsun 240Z #4
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    Last edited by Man of Steel; 03-10-2021 at 01:48 PM.
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    Thanks for posting these, Matt.

    IMO, the early unadorned versions look much better than the later ones; do you know which came first, the covered headlights or the non-covered?
    Last edited by gregvl52; 11-21-2004 at 08:46 PM.

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    great pics.
    reallly nice car....
    reminds me of my fav japanese car, the 350z.

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    Quote Originally Posted by gregvl52
    Thanks for posting these, Matt.

    IMO, the early unadorned versions look much better than the later ones; do you know which came first, the covered headlights or the non-covered?

    The non-covered one. The most beautiful.
    This car is sooo great. For those of you who also had the chance to have a go on one, you know how special they are...
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    Nice pics, always liked the look of these, can't say Ive ever seen one in the UK though Didnt realise they rallied them either

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    Quote Originally Posted by BjD
    Nice pics, always liked the look of these, can't say Ive ever seen one in the UK though Didnt realise they rallied them either
    Look for classic and post-historic rally events in your area of the UK.

    You MIGHT be lucky and find one of the few still being used in anger.
    These were one of THE great Safari rally cars






    And Mehta competed it in the Scottish in 1974


    Sorry for those on dial-up.
    But these were JSUT TOO GOOD not to show in the flesh
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    Last edited by Matt; 11-22-2004 at 09:11 AM.
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    Last edited by Man of Steel; 03-10-2021 at 01:49 PM.
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    Last edited by Man of Steel; 03-10-2021 at 02:26 PM.
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    Last edited by Man of Steel; 03-10-2021 at 01:52 PM.
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    I use to own one of the rare (77) hand throttle 240z Rally Cars (i'm in Australia) but sadly did not know this at the time and traded it for a 400/4 Supersport Honda motorcycle and some cash after putting a rod though the case and putting out the crankcase fire with a can of Solo.

    Belive it or not.


    Ahhh the good old days.

    Miss the Z though.

    Cheers

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    Full res image is at http://gallery.ukmotorsportpics.com/p13915656.html and well worth the visit for the competition 240Z
    "A woman without curves is like a road without bends, you might get to your destination quicker but the ride is boring as hell'

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    two things:
    1.How much would a good condition/no rust 240Z cost me
    1.Can someone get me specs on this V
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    Don't bother me, I'm probably working while posting...

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