#Toytota2000GT

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

Theflyersfan Keep the car. It's reliable, hasn't nickeled and dimed you to death, and it looks like you're a homeowner so something with a back seat and a trunk is really helpful! As I've discovered becoming a homeowner with a car with no back seat and a trunk the size of a large cooler, even simple Target or Ikea runs get complicated if you don't ride up with a friend with a larger car. And I wonder if the old VW has now been left in Price Hill with the keys in the ignition and a "Please take me" sign taped to the windshield? The problems it had weren't going to improve with time.
SPPPP I don't think it's a sign of pressure from external competition, but rather a healthy sign of letting practicality trump triumphalism on the assembly floor. Does a 1-piece casting make sense? Imagine the huge investment (no pun intended) in the tooling for that structure. Now imagine that a change in regulation or market conditions requires a change to the structure. You're going to build all the tooling all over again? Why not use "gigacasting" selectively, to build right-sized modules that can be assembled simply and repeatably? Changing 1/3 of the tooling is much less costly. Additionally, it makes the vehicles repairable, instead of being subject to total loss in a minor accident.
Formula m Oh my first Ford learning experience was with a sales manager who is a former stripclub manager with a Satan’s choice tattoo on his forearm… was very eye opening. You can imagine how he has contributed to Ottawa over his long tenure with Ford. Hopefully A.I. gives a different experience
Slavuta This video explains the whole situation and also goes back when Musk was laughing off chinese companies
SPPPP Nice vehicle. My only fear with driving it so little is rodent damage - but I guess keeping it in the garage cuts that risk down a lot.

Car Reviews By Make

view all

Top stories

Curbside Classic: The Revolutionary 1971 Datsun 240Z

Latest Car Reviews

2023 Ford F-150 Raptor R Review – Beast Mode

Drive Notes: 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale eAWD

Drive Notes: 2024 Ford Maverick Hybrid XLT

2024 Hyundai Elantra N Review – Tightening Up

2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N Review – Shockingly Spicy

Drive Notes: 2024 Kia Telluride SX-Prestige X-Line

Drive Notes: 2024 Nissan Versa SR

Latest Product Reviews

Best Amazon Prime Day Deals for TTAC Readers

TTAC Video of the Week: Looking Back on NASCAR Invading LeMans

Here’s How To Get the Best Deal on Winter Tires Right Now

Best Power Inverters for Your Car: Plugging Away

Best Sunshades for the Car: Where the Sun Don't Shine

Recent Comments

Car Reviews By Make