Datsun 260Z - today's sporty tempter

By: Unique Cars magazine

Date: 06.03.2021

Datsun 260Z

Datsun 260Z

Second-gen iconic Datsun

Often accurately if a little cruelly described as the poor person's E-type, Datsun's 240Z in 1969 kicked off a range of iconic cars that if anything has grown in stature across the years.

The recipe was pretty simple: a long-nosed rear-wheel-drive platform with a bullet-proof straight six powerplant. That's it. 

The second-gen cars added a 2+2 format which may have lost a little of the sharp lines of the original, however these days pretty much any 240-260-280Z series is very much in demand. 

While we didn't see huge numbers of Zeds on racetracks here, they were very successful in the USA and on the international rally circuit.

In our 2015 buyer guide, Cliff Chambers reveals: 

"The 2.6-litre 260Z was launched in mid-1974; a bad time to be selling cars in Australia or anywhere really. The world market was dominated by fears of fuel shortages and new US safety rules. Over here, inflation and compliance costs rose in unison but other models were in far worse shape than Datsun with its uprated two-seater and practical new 2+2.

"Improvements included an extra 7.5kW of power, lower gearing to improve acceleration, wider, better-quality tyres and revamped seats."

See the full story here.

And you can see a selection of our 240Z features here.

This 1977 manual claims extensive restoration work and is well-presented. Located in NSW, it's on the market for $51,000.

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