To identify the tale of the 260Z would generally be short and sweet, just place the 240Z had its engine size enlarged. But this will be too simple, therefore in the passions of composing an interesting post let us return to the start. Datsun began life by assembling Austin cars under license, but could break into the profitable US sports car market within the mid1960s with 2 litre versions and its fashionable small 1600 Sports.

Both vehicles were completely traditional, however their shortcomings quickly became apparent. The engine might have been lasting and powerful, . however, it was far from being refined, and also the vehicles perceived lack of functional and roadholding fashion shortly found them lose favour around clients, regardless of the cost.

The chiefs at Datsun understood, nevertheless, that there was tremendous untapped potential in america market and despite their previous setbacks, determined to set about developing a completely new and exciting sports-car, the 240Z.

Classically developed by Count Albrecht Goertz, the "Z" featured separate rear suspension plus a glossy smooth 2393cc in line OHC 6 already found in other Datsun models - capable to perform effortlessly to the 7000 RPM cutout and effective at doing 0-100 km/h in a bit under 9 seconds. The '70s would find the UNITED STATES tighten its regulations on emission and security, so much so that several traditional European sports-car manufacturers slowly fell back, or pulled out completely.

Therefore left the market-wide open to the Z, and Datsun - Car. By 1972 it had become the planet's fastest-selling sports coupe. The first auto remained in creation until 1973, where time no less than 156,076 240Z's was assembled. However, just like any auto, the "Z" must be altered to maintain the purchasing people interested, therefore in 1974 the 260Z was introduced.

Successfully it was just a 240Z with a bigger 2565cc engine fitted, nevertheless now you can order an extended wheelbase derivative offering additional occasional seats, rationally enough called 260Z 2 2. Nevertheless regardless of the rise in motor capacity, the new "Z" was actually somewhat slower, and less athletic, than its predecessor. The 260Z stayed on-sale to worldwide markets for four years, nevertheless in america, which was its principle industry, it was replaced by the lustier 280Z in significantly less than annually. The 280Z had a bigger 2753cc engine especially tuned to match the most recent emission regulations, as its name indicates, but the largest improvements arrived courtesy of the recently fitted Bosch L - Jetronic fuel-injection.

To create the 260Z a 2 2 the Datsun designers determined just to elongate the wheelbase a foot (or, to be exact, 11.9 inches) without producing any important adjustments - a strategy similar to what Jaguar took once the E-Type 2 2 was launched. This is likely not surprising to many, because the E-Type affected Nissan firmly after the 240Z was still within the concept phase. The sole dimensional changes of note within the new 2 and entire length (the same sum, to 180.9 in.); all sheet-metal ahead of the windshield posts was similar with that of the 2-seat auto. Overhangs were exactly the same, the windshields were exactly the same. Within the two 2.

2 appeared large and too long throughout the center. It was still an appealing vehicle, and also the shift from a 2- into a 4-seater was in most respects so delicate that many never even find it from the exterior. However, what the two 2 was all around was the additional occasional chairs within the back. Sitting directly between the rear wheelwells and flanking the tunnel, the rear seats were lowslung, necessarily slim and deeply recessed to supply even minimal head space. They were really only appropriate for kids, even though two nottoo - in case the pair-up front were prepared to transfer their seats nicely forward tall adults might get pretty secure back there.

The back seats had a backrest which can be folded down to supply additional baggage space, and they were in the 2 2 with that folded the motorist could look forward and backwards and not instantly recognize.

For whatever reason the first 2 2 versions had an ugly jumble of wires and relays below the passenger's side of the dashboard, and also the awful-looking vinyl upholstery in the seats marred an otherwise well-appointed inside. Baggage room was a tradeoff in the 2 Managing the handicap of 200 pound added fat no energy benefit over the Z, the two The quartermile took more also, up to an additional 1.3 seconds within the automobile. The automatic was a normal 3-speed converter kind, essentially a Ford style and utilized at that time by both Ford and Toyo Kogyo (Mazda) in addition to Nissan. Although too enthusiastic to downshift to second gear at town speeds, it was quiet and easy in ordinary operation. For a sports-car it also upshifted too early: at 5000-5200 rpm on wideopen accelerator, well beneath the engine's peak energy.

From time the two 2 was launched, there were several niggling faults beginning to show within the Z-cars: most apparent was the differential whine and an annoying clunk within the drivetrain each time the throttle opening was altered. But the largest transformation within the Z character was within how a 2 The steering system was a bit faster, thus with the additional weight of the two 2 it became very hefty for parking; at pace the direction was exact and light as consistently. 2's management was ordinary Z-car: well-balanced and inert, with understeer in the limit and tender oversteer obtainable by backing off the accelerator in a change. Some, but not all, roadtesters felt the two Braking distances were about 10 feet more from 60 and 80 miles per hour, and emergency braking was generally combined with frontwheel lock-up,

The longer wheelbase had a noticeable result to the ride also. Freeway hop had all-but vanished, and there is even less jerk of the automobile over big lumps than with the automobile. 2 was better yet. A negative facet of the longer wheelbase surfaced, still, once the 2 There is little conformity within the Z's front suspension and such caused a drumming within the body cavity. The bigger cavity also allow an engine resonance at 2300 2400 rpm become quite tiresome. Generally Speaking, the 260Z 2 260Z was for people who never had a need to think about the option of travellers. 2 was almost as useful for the family man (or woman) since the. It dropped little within the shift except straightline performance, rather than a lot of this. The additional luggage space available might be convenient for a very long excursion by two folks, too, and as you'd expect, it offered conventional Z-car value for money in a brand new class of auto.