Introduced in 1969, the 240Z was a runaway success for Datsun, especially in the USA. This version, the 240Z, had a 2.4 litre straight six engine with 150bhp endowing it with great performance. All round independent suspension with front disc and rear drum brakes were also part of the specification. It had lovely styling (by German Albrecht Goertz, who also styled the Toyota 2000GT and the BMW 507 Roadster) consisting of a long bonnet, "fingernail" headlights and a compact "Kamm" tail. With its fine looks combined with great performance and an affordable price, it blew it's European competitors out of the water in the US marketplace. The Z-cars outsold them all, especially the likes of the MGB and Triumph TR6, which looked and were ancient in comparison to the new Datsun.
The 240Z was an instant hit, and over 600,000 were made (including the later 260Z and 280Z versions) before it was replaced by the 280ZX in 1978. The 260Z replaced the 240Z in 1973, and had a larger engine (2.6 litres) but wasn't much faster as it was heavier, and for the US market only, a 280Z was introduced in 1975 (with a 2.8 litre straight six). The 2.8 litre six was intended to overcome the performance deficit associated with emissions equipment which became mandatory from the mid-70s onward in the US.
My Dad had a 280Z in the same shade of silver as the model shown here. He got his around 1976 in Massachusetts, prior to catalytic converters being mandatory there (they had already come into being in California) hence it had great performance, as it's 2.8 litre engine was not strangled by anti-smog equipment. He kept it until early 1983 when it was nearly written off by joyriders. It was in fact repaired (the insurance company couldn't find a suitable replacement car in Ireland-where we had moved back to at that stage) but Dad never felt it to be the same car again and he sold it.
This model represents one of the early versions of the 240Z, as it has small air vents under the rear window which were deleted on later cars. It is also a pure 2 seater, whereas later cars came in both 2 seater and long wheelbase 2+2 form (with a less attractive side profile). The long bonnet/hood hinges forward to reveal the straight six, and there are 2 opening hatches (which don't open on this model) under which are the windscreen washer filler and the battery. It also has the original fit hubcaps which even in their day were considered to look awful! Most were ditched for aftermarket wheels, and my Dad's car was no exception. He had a great looking set of silver wolfraces on his 280Z. Other detail touches include the front and rear side lights (again for the US market-European cars had these blanked off) and the quilted padding over the rear suspension turrets that protrude into the rear luggage bay.
Kyosho have given this model a nicely detailed engine and interior, and generally it is very well made. One of the reasons I'm giving it 66.25% (as opposed to the usual higher mark a Kyosho gets from me) is mostly due to the terrible plastic front grill. It is poorly fitting and as a result is deformed in the middle as a result of opening the bonnet! Additionally the model has almost no brake detail. However, I do like this model alot as the subject car is one of my favourites. Sunstar have also released a 1:18th 240Z which looks good and is cheaper than the Kyosho, but is ultimately not as good a model.
66.25%
