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The S30 Nissan/Datsun 240Z (known in Japan as the Fairlady Z and later in other markets as the 260Z and 280Z) are sports cars produced by Nissan Motors, Ltd. of Japan in the 1970s. The 240Z was introduced in the US Market 1969 with a 2.4 liter straight-6 engine, rear wheel drive, and a stylish coupe body. A 4 wheel independent suspension consisted of MacPherson struts in front (borrowed from the Datsun Laurel C30) and Chapman struts in back. Front disc brakes & rear drums were standard.

In the JDM Market, the early Fairladys had a 2.0 liter 130hp engine and a 5-speed transmission as opposed to the 2.4 L and 4- speed America got. The Fairlady 432 and 432-R got the S-20 engine a 24-valve DOHC 160hp motor. Later Fairladys got the 2.4 and 2.8 liter engines.

Production began in 1969, the 1970 240Z was introduced to the American market by Yutaka Katayama, president of Nissan Motors USA operations, widely known as 'Mr. K'. The early 1970 model 240Z had a chrome "240" badge on the B-pillar quarter panel. Two vents were included in the rear hatch below the glass molding. In mid-1971 the B-pillar side badges were restyled with the letter Z in white, and the vents were eliminated from the hatch. Design changes for the US model occurred throughout production and are described Design and Manufacturing Changes to the U.S. Spec

The 240Z and 260Z used twin one-barrel side-draft SU-like carburetors manufactured by Hitachi. The carburetors were changed beginning with model year 1973 to comply with emissions regulations, but the earlier carburetors were far superior for performance. Fuel injection (L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, designed by Bosch) was added for the 280Z in 1975. This was primarily in order to cope with the difficulty faced in getting enough power using carburetors while still meeting US emissions regulations.

Due to its relatively low price compared to other foreign sports cars of the time (Jaguar and Porsche), it became hugely popular in the U.S. and was a major success for the Nissan Motor Corporation, which at the time sold cars in North America under the name Datsun. The 240Z also broadened the image of Japanese car-makers beyond their econobox success. The Z was very successful in racing in the 1970s (Peter Brock and his (Brock Racing Enterprises)BRE racing team, with John Morton 240Z to two consecutive national championships in 1970 and 1971). The Z is also credited as a catalyst for the current import performance parts industry.

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

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Sources used on this page:

• BRE and Carburetor information Corrected by: 26th-Z of ClassicZcars.com