Whence It Came

The A to Z of the Z.

–LUCAS BELL

A. 240Z/260Z/280Z (1970–78) The Datsun 240Z arrived in the U.S. in late 1969 with intentions of challenging Europe’s sports-car dominance. The Z immediately captured enthusiast interest, thanks to its enduring styling, 151-hp 2.4-liter inline-six engine, disc brakes, and independent suspension. The 260Z debuted for 1974, and despite its larger 2.6-liter motor, emissions regulations strangled the car to just 139 hp stateside. The following year, the U.S.-only 280Z debuted with 170 hp, courtesy of Bosch fuel injection. B. 280ZX (1979–83) The 280ZX was always intended to be a more luxurious GT than the 280Z it replaced. The new Datsun retained the same 2.8-liter engine and five-speed gearbox as its predecessor, but everything else was new, including the optional two-plus-two layout. While enthusiasts lamented the softening of the Z, it proved wildly popular, selling a…

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Road & Track (Digital) - 1 Issue, August/September 2022

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