Nissan (Datsun) 240Z (1969)

I included this page as this car was the main reason for the GTR-X being shelved.

The Datsun 240Z started early in the 1960's but for the sake of everyone involved I will start where the car started to take shape.  Datsun (Nissan Motors of Japan), had been working on a project early in the 60's but shelved it as a passing fancy. It wasn't until Toyota bit the bullet and released the 2000 GT in 1965 that it sparked Nissan into a tit for tat type of war which was squarely aimed at the American market. Now a fella by the name Yutaka Katayama was the President and he like having his imput in the design of the cars decided to reopen the sports car project late in 1965. Nissan Design - Project Z was under way and with Nissans top men Yoshihiko Matsuo (as Chief Designer) and Tiichi Hara (the General Manager of Planning Dept. #2) at the sharp end of team.  Over the next four years the 240z took shape with many other brands of sports cars and GT's being looked at for inspiration but what they came up with was such a good looking car it shocked the world into accepting that Japan really could produce a sports car.  It is probably one of the all time classic sports cars that has clubs all over the world.

October 1969 came and the cogs started turning albeit slowly until the new techniques had been ironed out as Nissan wanted this to be a high quality product.  So after a few hic-cups and a bit of fine tuning the production line got into full swing in January 1970. The model that came to Australia was the HS30 while the USA got the left-hand drive version HLS30 and Japan of course got the Fairlady Z 432. Now here is a fact that may make you popular if you came across #00001 - #00005 which as the numbers represent were the first 5 cars made it would make for interesting table talk.  Apperently they were destroyed after being used as test cars but then you never now funnier things have happened before. HLS30 #00016 was the first Z car to be sold in America and is owned by a private owner as all the earlier models that arrived were used for promotional tours then went racing where some of these early models still compete in classic events.

Fuel system:
Mechanical fuel pump, 
Twin Hitachi HJG 46W 1.75in SU-type carburettors 

Transmisson:
Four-speed manual, 225mm diameter clutch.
Automatic after 09/70) 

Final drive ratio:
3.36:1 (four-speed) 
3.55:1 (automatic) 

Top gear per 1000rpm:
21.0mph - (four-speed) 

Top speed:
125 mph 

0-60 mph: 
8.0 sec 

Brakes: 
Front: 10.7in discs 
Rear: 9in x 1.6in drums

Front suspension:
Independent with MacPherson struts, lower links, coil springs, telescopic dampers, anti-roll bar 
Rear suspension:
Independent with MacPherson struts, lower wishbones, coil springs, telescopic dampers 

Steering: 
Rack and pinion, 2.7 turns lock to lock 

Wheels/tyres:
4.5J-14 steel wheels, 175 SR 14 tyres 

Dimensions:
Wheelbase: 90.7in 
Length: 162.8 in 
Width: 64.1 in 
Dry weight: 2355 lb