BUYING GUIDE
Sleek styling aside, talk of the Datsun 240Z being a ‘baby E-type’ is probably stretching things a bit, but there's no doubt the arrival of the 240Z rather upset the established sports car market. The early-1970s offered a good choice of coupés in the UK – the likes of the MGB GT and Ford Capri being obvious ones – but the Japanese contender offered a tempting blend of performance, handling ability, comfort and reliability.
The 2.4-litre straight-six engine ensured it was no slouch, its 150bhp delivering 125mph and 0-60mph in 8.0 seconds. While the 260Z that arrived in 1974 provided more torque, its longer stroke meant it wasn't quite as revvy as the earlier car. That said, either model provides plenty of entertainment today, so you won't be disappointed whichever you choose.
There were numerous detail changes throughout production, including the introduction of a more practical 2+2, but the fundamentals remained the same and that was no bad thing. It was finally replaced by the 280ZX in 1979, a model that dialled back the sportiness and became more of a relaxed cruiser. These
