Datsun 240Z: Katayama's greatest triumph

By Greg MacLeman

| 24 Feb 2015

The 'father of the Z', Yutaka Katayama, died earlier this month at the age of 105.

The former Nissan executive was responsible for the firm's successful entry into the US market in the 1960s as well as championing the now legendary 510 saloon, but perhaps his most lasting legacy was giving life to the Z range of sports cars.

Here we remember not only a great man, but also his greatest achievement – the Datsun 240Z.

Photos courtesy of David Vidal www.davidvidalphotography.com

The Datsun 240Z was a resounding success at home and abroad, but was known as the Fairlady in the Japanese domestic market.

Early cars were fitted with Hitachi single-barrel side-draught carburettors, which offered superior performance to later Webers.

In the UK, the 240Z went toe to toe with sports car such as the MGB GT. It was priced similarly, but offered greater performance and a more modern design.

As well as being a salesroom success, the 240Z was also handy in motorsport. In 1973, Shakhar Mehta and Lofty Drews won the 21st East African Safari Rally at the wheel of a Z.

It wasn't just the 240Z's modern styling that won it many fans, its straight-six 2.4-litre engine offered the sort of performance that was lacking from many of its competitors.

Throughout its lifecycle, the 240Z was available with four and five-speed manual transmissions, plus a three-speed automatic.

The 240Z was only produced for three years, with later 260Z and 280Z variants entering production in 1974 and '75, respectively.

The Fairlady ZG varied slightly from the 240Z, most notably by the addition of an aerodynamic nose. The part was also sold in the United States in order to homologate it for racing.

Greg MacLeman

Greg MacLeman is a contributor to and former Features Editor of Classic & Sports Car, and drives a restored and uprated 1974 Triumph 2500TC

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