The original Datsun Z series, the 240Z, 260Z and 280Z, also known as the Nissan S30, were the first generation of Z cars produced by Nissan Motors Ltd. between 1969 and 1978 and were designed by a team led by Mr. Yoshihiko Matsuo, who headed Nissan's Sports Car Styling Studio. The Z's were all 3 door hatchbacks with a front engine, rear drive layout. The 240Z was first introduced to the US by Yutaka Kamayata, commonly known as "Mr. K". This model came with an L24 engine, a 2.4 liter 6-cylinder with a single overhead cam, and a 4-speed manual gearbox, and is pictured to the right. A less common 3-speed automatic was also introduced. The original 240Z produced 151hp and 146 ft lb of torque, had full independent suspension, and a top speed of 125mph. In 2004 the 240Z was named number two in Sports Car International's list of the top sports cars of the 70's. In 1974 Nissan introduced the 260Z, which had a larger engine, 2.6L versus the 240's 2.4L and optional rear seats, known as the 2+2, pictured below. Although the 260Z had a larger engine and was more powerful than the 240Z, producing 162hp and 157 ft lb of torque, it had lower power, about 140hp in the US due to emissions regulations. The later series of 260's had better perfomance in the US due to other tweaks.
| In 1975 the final of the original Z series was introduced. The 280Z had its engine size increased again to 2.8L, and a reliable Bosh L-Jetronic fuel injection system was added. A 5-speed manual gearbox was also an option in 1977. The 280Z also had very large front and rear bumpers in the US to meet strict safety standards, along with other smog controls. This made the 280Z heavier and more smog-controlled in its stock form, but was and still is very easily modified, reaching performance equaling much newer and more expensive sports cars. The most common modification is replacing the standard L28E with the L28ET from the 280ZX turbo, requiring no transmission or mounting modifications whatsoever. In 1979 the 280Z was replaced with the 280ZX, ending the original S30 series. Shown below is a heavily modified 280Z. |
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