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Curbside Classic: The Revolutionary 1971 Datsun 240Z

The Datsun 240 was as a true revolutionary, smashing the long-stagnant sports car market of the sixties into smithereens. It was long overdue too; folks were getting cranky for the messiah: a truly modern sporty two seater with four-wheel independent suspension, a zippy OHC six engine, dazzling styling, all served up at a reasonable price; say $3500 (about $20k adjusted). The hole in the market for such a car was begging to be filled. And Datsun stepped up and delivered, with a grand-slam home run. But like most revolutionaries, the Z was anything but truly original. But then neither was Che nor Lenin; they studied Marx. And Datsun? They took their studies seriously too.

Paul Niedermeyer Jan 26, 2010

Recent Comments

Dave M. On one hand Honda tends to make a strong, competitive product that should give you years of excellent service. On the other hand it's built on the bones of a GM product, who has a tendency to underbake their products until right before cancellation. NUMMI worked out well for GM; I wonder if this will work out well for Honda....
RICHARD @mebgardner I have no issues with the way the car is configured. No offensive nannies.
RICHARD @el_scotto above
RICHARD @SPPP. It's the perfect use case. Most of my wife's driving is short trips around town. The car will get better MPG in that environment than interstate cruising.
RICHARD The longest interstate trip I have been on so far is about 45 minutes. We live in Tennessee so that included significant elevation changes and travel at 75 mph. Next weekend, we will take a 3-hour trip for a wedding. I would not hesitate to drive long distances in this car. It is much more comfortable, quiet, composed than my wife's previous Ford Fusion Titanium while matching that car's performance. We drove from TN to Santa Fe, NM in the Fusion earlier this summer and that car became uncomfortable and tiring after about 3 hours behind the wheel.

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Curbside Classic: The Revolutionary 1971 Datsun 240Z

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