Fairlady Z: How Nissan Created a Timeless Sports Car Icon

Driving Legacy - Almost all car manufacturers have looked at the North American market as a goldmine—filled with opportunity, challenge, and global influence. For decades, it served as the battleground where brands either soared or stumbled, especially during the golden age of the 1960s when sports and muscle cars roared onto highways and into hearts. During this era, Nissan, still a modest company with towering dreams, saw its chance to step into the limelight. What followed was not just the creation of a new car—it was the birth of a legend. Here's Nissan’s icon: the Fairlady Z, known in America as the Datsun 240Z.

Here's the Nissan's savior legend, the Fairlady Z. (Picture from: Motoris)

In the early 1960s, Nissan had the ambition to create a world-class sports car tailored specifically for the American driver. At that time, Nissan’s export brand in the United States was Datsun—a name chosen to ease market entry and distance the company from its World War II-era associations. To bring their vision to life, Nissan partnered with Yamaha to design a prototype. The plan fell through when Nissan rejected Yamaha’s 2.0-liter DOHC engine. Yamaha later passed the design to Toyota, who developed it into the famed 2000GT. Still, Nissan wasn’t discouraged—they doubled down and began working on their own idea of an affordable grand touring sports car..

Datsun 240Z, one of the most successful Japanese sports cars in the world. (Picture from: Motoris)

Yutaka Katayama, the charismatic President of Nissan USA and a pivotal figure in the company’s American success, believed deeply in the need for a performance car that could be sold under the Datsun name. Nissan already had success with the Datsun Fairlady Roadster, a lightweight open-top model that competed with British and Italian rivals. But Katayama envisioned something more—a coupe with sleek lines, strong performance, and a price tag that wouldn't scare away the average enthusiast.

By 1966, a clay mock-up had been sculpted under the guidance of Yoshihiko Matsuo, head of Nissan’s Sports Car Styling Studio. Just three years later, in October 1969, the project reached the production line. The result was the Fairlady Z for Japan and the 240Z for America—sold under the Datsun badge.

The Datsun Fairlady Z432, shown here in its 1969 model, is a high-performance variant powered by the 2.0-liter S20 DOHC engine from the Skyline GT-R. (Picture from: Classic)

The 240Z was powered by a 2.4-liter L24 inline-six engine producing 151 horsepower, paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Its Japanese counterpart came with a 2.0-liter L20A engine making 130 horsepower and featured a 5-speed gearbox. A high-performance version, the Z432, packed the 2.0-liter S20 DOHC engine from the Skyline GT-R. At launch, an automatic transmission was offered, but most drivers favored the manual for a more connected driving experience.

Datsun 240Z sold about 1.6 million units around the globe in five generations. (Picture from: Motoris)

Mechanically, the car was ahead of its time. It featured four-wheel independent suspension: MacPherson struts up front borrowed from the Datsun Laurel, and Chapman struts at the rear. Braking was handled by front discs and rear drums, giving it reliable stopping power to match its quick acceleration. Its chassis balance and steering precision made it feel agile and refined—qualities rarely found in cars at its price point.

1970 Datsun 240Z #46 BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises) that won multiple SCCA National Championships (in 1970 and 1971) with John Morton behind the wheel. (Picture from: TheGentlemanRacer)

The car’s design was as much a selling point as its specs. Its long hood, fastback silhouette, and flowing lines gave it a distinctly European look, resembling cars from Alfa Romeo or Jaguar. Yet despite the visual cues, it was entirely Japanese in build and philosophy. Inside, the dashboard was lined with functional gauges and switches, offering a cockpit feel without unnecessary frills. The low driving position and compact cabin created a raw and focused driving environment.

Datsun 240Z, often follows various world racing championships, one of which is safari rally. (Picture from: Motoris)

In Japan, the car retained the Fairlady Z name as a tribute to Nissan’s earlier sports car heritage. However, Katayama pushed hard for the American model to bear the Datsun name. It was a strategic move. Datsun already had a foothold in the U.S., and Katayama wanted the Z to distance itself from the "cheap economy car" stereotype while still embracing the Japanese values of reliability and innovation. The name stuck, and so did the success.

The early 240Z models featured a “240” emblem on the B-pillar and small vents under the rear glass hatch. By mid-1971, the emblem was replaced with a bold “Z,” and the vents were removed, subtly signaling the car’s evolution. But its core appeal never changed—it was fast, stylish, and accessible. At a time when European sports cars were often overpriced and temperamental, the Datsun 240Z offered a refreshing alternative that was easy to own and thrilling to drive.

Nissan Fairlady Z also used by the Japanese police departemenr. (Picture from: Motoris)

The engine was derived from the dependable Datsun 510 but heavily improved. It had a new aluminum cylinder head, larger valves, higher compression, and a more aggressive cam profile. When pushed, the SU-Hitachi carburetors delivered fuel efficiently, translating pedal pressure into satisfying acceleration. The exhaust note, smooth and deep, reminded many of a V8 despite the six-cylinder layout. That rumble, along with torque that came on early, made the 240Z equally capable in stop-and-go traffic or long highway cruises. 

Nissan IDx Freeflow concept car in the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. (Picture from: GreenCarReport)

Handling was sharp, aided by a rack-and-pinion steering system that gave the car direct and immediate feedback. At high speeds, the front end felt lighter, adding to its playful driving dynamics. While the rear could be a little twitchy on tight corners, the suspension remained steady on open roads, earning it a reputation as a true highway star. 

2020 Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition retains the sleek profile that has defined Zs of the past, characterized by its low roofline, upswept quarter-window design and slope of the rear hatch. (Picture from: TheGentlemanRacer)

Nissan didn’t just stop at showrooms—they took the 240Z to the racetrack and the rally stage. From the Monte Carlo Rally to the grueling African Safari Rally, the Datsun 240Z proved it had both strength and spirit. These victories not only boosted its credibility but cemented its legacy as a serious contender in motorsport circles.

 

In every sense, the Datsun 240Z delivered a complete package: beauty, performance, reliability, and affordability. It wasn’t just a sports car; it was a cultural shift. It showed the world that Japanese manufacturers could create cars that were not only smart but soulful. And it paved the way for future Z generations, influencing sports car design for decades to come.

Even today, the 240Z’s design remains fresh and desirable. Its timeless curves, simple yet purposeful cabin, and mechanical honesty continue to inspire modern interpretations, like the Nissan IDX concept and the 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition. Nearly half a century on, the Datsun 240Z still speaks to drivers who crave more than just transportation—it speaks to those who love the journey itself.

 

And that’s the true legacy of the Fairlady Z. Not just as a car with a Datsun badge, but as a symbol of how vision, courage, and clever engineering can create something that lasts far beyond its production years. It wasn’t made to impress—it was made to move. And it still does. *** [EKA [25012020] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTORIS | THEGENTLEMANRACER | GREENCARREPORT | CLASSIC ]

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