Datsun 240Z

Engine

Inline-6 SOHC, 2.4

Power

151 hp

Torque

146 lb-ft

0 to 60

8 s

Top speed

125 mph

Transmission

Manual

Drivetrain

RWD

Curb weight

2,355 lb

Production

150,076 built

Original MSRP

$3,526

Designer

Yoshihiko Matsuo

The original Datsun 240Z fundamentally changed the sports car landscape, proving that affordable didn't mean compromising on style or performance. Yoshihiko Matsuo's design struck the perfect balance between European elegance and Japanese reliability, creating an instant classic that sold over 150,000 units. The 2.4-liter inline-six delivered 151 horsepower, modest by today's standards but perfectly matched to the car's 2,300-pound curb weight. At $3,526, it cost half what a Porsche 911 commanded, yet offered comparable performance and superior reliability. Early 240Zs, particularly 1970-1971 models with their lighter construction and cleaner bumpers, have become serious collector cars. Rust was the great enemy, making solid survivors increasingly valuable. The 240Z's influence on affordable sports cars cannot be overstated, it democratized performance and established Japan as a legitimate sports car manufacturer.