Datsun 240Z News

Here are two facts. For over 60 years Nissan has been on a rollercoaster. And for the remaining six years of this decade, Nissan is set to be on a roll. Not that you’d know it with the Japanese brand’s long-term shrinking market share and – until late last year – a worthy but dull and dated core model range.

Craig Bastow, 43, swells with pride when he talks about the 1970 Datsun he has recently had restored. It's all original in Monte Carlo red with matching engine and chassis numbers and the original AM radio.The only additions are Ewing three-piece wheels, a custom exhaust and the Japanese-style fender mirrors for "presence". "There is a bit of a story to this," he says."As a young guy in my late teens a mate (Peter Semos) and I were really into them," he says. "He tragically died in the Noosa Triathlon in 2004."About a year later I bought the car from his wife, Robina, and at the beginning of this year I gave it a bit of a refresh. You could either do it up in a shoddy fashion or do it once and do it properly. I wanted to do it properly and keep Peter's memory alive. I knew how much this car meant to him."Craig's first 240Z cost him $4000 in 1986, but it didn't last long. "I moved on to other things for work," he says. "At the time a 20-year-old car with two seats wasn't the most practical thing."He paid $15,000 for the current 240Z and reckons it now owes him about $40,000 and could be worth as much as $50,000 because it's had a faithful restoration. "But I will never sell it. It will never leave the family," he says.Bastow shipped the car to the Motorline BMW workshop where it spent the next eight months being restored to its former glory. "I love the lines and the simplicity. You pull the bonnet on this and you know what's there. "There is a bit of purity to it."The 1970 240Z is powered by a simple, single-overhead-cam six-cylinder 2.4-litre engine, hence the name. "It was capable of about 150hp (112kW) in an under 1000kg car so it had great power-to-weight ratio," Bastow says. "They tried to copy the (Porsche) 911 dynamics with a 50-50 weight distribution."However, if you go over 100km/h the front tends to lift and it gets light in the steering. But it's a tough old girl. Mechanically it's perfect."Bastow has only had the car back from the workshop a few weeks, but intends to take it for "nice drives" once or twice a month through the mountains. "You don't want to sit on the highway for a long time. The exhaust note drones through the cabin," he says."You get more looks in this than in my Porsche (996 Turbo)." As a fitting tribute, he hopes to drive his mate's widow in the 240Z to the annual service in memory of Semos.1970 Datsun 240ZEngine: cast-iron block, alloy head, single over head camshaft, 2393cc in-line 6-cylinder Bore x stroke: 83 x 73.7mmCompression: 9.13:1Fuel: mechanical fuel pump, twin Hitachi SU carburettorsPower: 112kW @ 5600rpmMaximum torque: 146lb ft at 4400rpmTransmission: 5-speed manualBrakes: 10.7in discs (front), 9 x 1.6in drums (rear), servo assistedSuspension: independent with MacPherson struts, lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar (front); independent with MacPherson struts, lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampersSteering: rack and pinion

It was the first generation of the legendary Z cars – 240Z, 260Z and 280Z – produced between 1969 and 1978. The 240Z itself was built between 1969 and 1973 and included four series.Although already established in America as makers of economy cars and compact pick-ups, Nissan Motors Ltd of Japan – under the US guise of `Datsun’ to sound less Japanese - knew they needed an ‘image car’ to crack the US market.In the late 1960s, designers started on a plan for a personal GT car, lifting aspects from other sports cars and putting them together in an affordable package. The E-type Jaguar and Ferrari Daytona were obvious influences.Although he left before the 240Z project began, Albrecht Graf von Goertz, a German-born design consultant to Nissan in the early 1960’s, implemented modern design techniques during his tenure – including the use of clay models - that enabled the Japanese marque to become a successful performance car producer. He is credited as being indirectly responsible for the success of the 240Z.The 240Z didn’t just look the part. It was built with performance in mind using four-wheel independent suspension – MacPherson struts in the front and Chapman struts in the rear - and front disc brakes.It also had quick acceleration, superior handling and a firm sporty ride, comparable to substantially more expensive cars like the Porsche 911.On October 22 1969, president of Nissan Motors Ltd Yutaka Katayama, introduced the 1970 Series 1 Datsun 240Z to America. Instantly popular, 45,000 units were sold over the first two years - and through to Series IV, a further 50,000 in 1972 and 40,000 in 1973 were snapped up before the release of the 260Z in 1974.Design and manufacturing changes From 1969 to 1973 the Datsun 240Z took on several design and manufacturing changes across its four-series run.Series I had a chrome “240” badge on the B-pillar quarter panel and two vents below the glass molding in the rear hatch. A three speed transmission was introduced in September 1970. By 1971 the vents were gone and the chrome badges were restyled with a white “Z”.Series II saw several minor changes to things like seat belt latches, sun visors and the tilt mechanism on the front seats. There were also small upgrades to the oil pressure guage and speedometer.Series III in 1972 got new hubcaps, a new rear end, a redesigned centre console, a new four speed transmission and a seat belt warning buzzer and warning light. Other upgrades included automatic seat belt retractors.Series IV received dash layout alterations, the headlight buckets changed from fibreglass to steel and intermittent windscreen wipers became standard eqipment.Racing history Datsun’s 240Z was very successful in SCCA racing in the 1970’s, notably when it was driven under Peter Brock’s Brock Racing Enterprises – the American, not the Aussie - in 1970 and 1971 by John Morton, John McComb and Dan Parkinson.From 1970 to 1973 the 240Z also enjoyed success in the International Rally circuit, where it competed in the East African Safari Rally, the Monte Carlo Rally and the Southern Cross Rally, among others.Drivetrain Datsun’s 240Z is powered by a 2.4 litre L24 inline six cylinder SOHC engine with twin SU carburettors. It puts out 113kW at 5600rpm and 198Nm at 4400rpm. There is the option of a four or five speed manual transmission and a three speed automatic for cars produced after September 1970. The 240Z will get to a top speed of 201km/h via a 0-100km/h time of eight seconds. Typical fuel consumption is around 11 litres/100km.Dimensions and weight Wheelbase: 2302.8mmLength: 4135.1mmWidth: 1628.1mmWeight: 1068kgIn 1998 - to keep the Z car flame lit - Nissan bought up several 240Z’s, fully restored them and sold them at dealerships for $24,000.These days Today the 240Z is fondly remembered as a hugely successful 1970s sports car and one still sort after by enthusiasts looking for an affordable restoration project or - if they can find one in good order - a great looking cheap sports car.The most common modification for the 240Z is the replacement of the normally aspirated engine with the turbo from the 280ZX due to the relative ease of the swap – it requires no changes to the transmission or mountings.V8 conversions are also popular due to the unusually large engine bay. And — not surprisingly — many clubs and forums exist for the iconic Datsun 240Z.