The folks at Datsun balk at calling a sports-car to the 240Z. For them this is a "private" GT car. Nevertheless, the "private" GT auto description somehow suits. It separates the Datsun from whimsical, shallow sports cars such as the Opel GT and moves it away into a group of autos which has more to offer than amusement. The Z-car, since it has become called, is quite a real transport car, meant as much for coast-to-coast journeys since it is for experimenting on idyllic summer days. Datsun is likely appropriate. The Z-car actually is not a sports car.

It's precisely the sort of car we've begun to expect from Datsun, nevertheless. You cannot really consider Datsun to be an innovator-it did not devise the overhead cam engine or disk brakes or independent suspensionbut it's among the most ambitious car manufacturers living these days and it's a custom of integrating these advanced systems into readily affordable vehicles. The budget-priced PL5I0 sedan will be the envy of its opponents, and also the energy within the gearbox and motor of the 2,000 sports-car creates a Triumph feel as a loser within the soapbox derby. With that specific sort of siblings, the Z-car would normally become a talented performer.

Which is. Not with the Z-car.

Obviously, it also ought to be apparent the Z-car continues Datsun's practice of utilizing exceedingly strong engines-in this instance a 2.4liter singleoverhead-cam Six. We're not inclined, nevertheless. Like all Datsuns, the torque curve is as flat as the engine sound as well as Nebraska is really disagreeable above 6500 that there's simply no reason to actually increase there.

Just one of those is apparent for the driver-the last product. It keeps engine speed too much, producing smooth upshifts hopeless, and significantly detracts from the enjoyment of driving. Throttle response, especially at low rates, also suffers, because of subtleties of the device.

In most other means the Z-car is kind to the driver. The steering effort is average; the moves are adequately precise and light; and the position is exceptional. Additionally, the machine is spongy and provides almost no sense to assist the driver control lockup. Water somehow splashes up on the braking surfaces and dramatically reduces stopping capability. Within this regard the Z-car isn't acceptable.

The Datsun's suspension system-a completely independent MacPherson strut arrangement both front and back-also includes several quirks. There isn't any reason this ought to be typical of each of the Z-cars. The test vehicle had expanders between coils within the left front spring to beat a sag, and also the treatment can likely be attributed on that spring. We do not know what things to blame for the inferior directional stability, yet. The Z - car prefer to weave back and forth when you had want to be heading directly down the street. The wiggles are little-and they appear to fix themselvesbut they are irritating, nevertheless.

Neither Datsun nor we're completely pleased with the selection of tires. Bridgestone 175 SR 14 radials were chosen as standard equipment for their great handling features, but they're also responsible for an abnormally high amount of road noise, especially over tar strips and little lumps. The ride quality of the Z-car is really fairly comfy for a sport auto of its own category but the sound will make you believe otherwise. Understanding this. Datsun engineers were greatly involved in tire testing in time of our road-test and expected to get an even more suitable tire before lots of Z-cars were imported.

When there are difficulties within the chassis that still should be worked out, it is an entirely different story within the cockpit. It appears much higher priced than any competitive likewise-priced sports-car. We're back for the double standard for sports cars and family cars again. The Z-car has particular characteristics that so far were available just in sedans or quite expensive GT cars. Silence is the greatest case. The motor sound level within the Datsun under standard working conditions is about equivalent to that of an American medium sedan, which would be to say that you barely understand it is there. Except that nobody else within this price class has actually done it before that doesn't look like a monumental accomplishment.

Just one of those is apparent for the driver-the last product. It keeps engine speed too much, producing smooth upshifts hopeless, and significantly detracts from the enjoyment of driving. Throttle response, especially at low rates, also suffers, because of subtleties of the device.

In most other means the Z-car is kind to the driver. The steering effort is average; the moves are adequately precise and light; and the position is exceptional. Additionally, the machine is spongy and provides almost no sense to assist the driver control lockup. Water somehow splashes up on the braking surfaces and dramatically reduces stopping capability. Within this regard the Z-car isn't acceptable.

The Datsun's suspension system-a completely independent MacPherson strut arrangement both front and back-also includes several quirks. There isn't any reason this ought to be typical of each of the Z-cars. The test vehicle had expanders between coils within the left front spring to beat a sag, and also the treatment can likely be attributed on that spring. We do not know what things to blame for the inferior directional stability, yet. The Z - car prefer to weave back and forth when you had want to be heading directly down the street. The wiggles are little-and they appear to fix themselvesbut they are irritating, nevertheless.

Neither Datsun nor we're completely pleased with the selection of tires. Bridgestone 175 SR 14 radials were chosen as standard equipment for their great handling features, but they're also responsible for an abnormally high amount of road noise, especially over tar strips and little lumps. The ride quality of the Z-car is really fairly comfy for a sport auto of its own category but the sound will make you believe otherwise. Understanding this. Datsun engineers were greatly involved in tire testing in time of our road-test and expected to get an even more suitable tire before lots of Z-cars were imported.

When there are difficulties within the chassis that still should be worked out, it is an entirely different story within the cockpit. It appears much higher priced than any competitive likewise-priced sports-car. We're back for the double standard for sports cars and family cars again. The Z-car has particular characteristics that so far were available just in sedans or quite expensive GT cars. Silence is the greatest case. The motor sound level within the Datsun under standard working conditions is about equivalent to that of an American medium sedan, which would be to say that you barely understand it is there. Except that nobody else within this price class has actually done it before that doesn't look like a monumental accomplishment.