Slightly OT, 240Z comparison question

07-09-2002, 05:52 AM

Anyone have experience driving an early Datsun 240Z (70-72)? Looking for inputs on comparisons to an early 911.

thnaks.

marc weintraub · marc weintraub's Garage

Hi Carlo,

Yes, I had an early (1971 240Z) for about three years. My car was stock except for triple webers and it really flew, but I don't see many similarities in driving a 911 and 240Z. The "Z" was fairly predictable, but I could easily make the rear swing out in a controlled manner. The early Porsche was a little less predictable depending on the rubber and level of expertice. My first Porsche right after the 240Z was a 1967 "S", so the short wheelbase model was a bit more of a handfull for me. It took me a little while longer to get used to the 911 than the "Z". I also find the early Porsche's more fun to drive in general. Just feels like a tighter, better built automobile.

In all, I loved the early "Z", but the driving experience was very different from any Porsche I have owned over the years.

Marc

BlkBird · 07-09-2002, 06:48 AM

Sigh.

A 1970 Datsun (not Nissan) 240Z. My very first car. Serial number HLS30-00057. I had to order parts by the serial number since they made so many little changes in the first year of manufacture.

Twin SU carbs. Blood red. Not that orange red. What an awesome car.

Similarities to the Porsche - how about an engine that came alive at 3500 rpm, and redlined at 7000 rpm. Third gear was an easy 80 mph. Steering was nice and tight, and two wheel drifts were a breeze.

God I miss that car.

Jdub · 07-09-2002, 06:56 AM

The 240Z simply wiped out the X/9, MGB, and TR6, period. It was a car along the lines of the inline four cylinder Honda 750: simply blew the competition out of the water (for price point) when introduced. I met a guy here in Seattle who has one in each color (true story!).

John

Rot 911 · 07-09-2002, 07:04 AM

I had a '72 Z and loved the car. Plusses were great accelleration, above average handling, modern interior (even today they still look good), easy to work on, and air conditioning that really worked. One BIG minus: to keep weight down they used a very thin gauge sheet metal for the body. These cars rust while you watch. The unibody frame up in the wheel wells rusts out and that is the end of the car. That is why you see so few of them around. If you can find one with a good body, and that is a big if, parts are still readily available from Victoria British and other part suppliers.

BlkBird · 07-09-2002, 07:36 AM

Kurt,

That's where I come from - Victoria B.C.

Land of the sports cars!

07-09-2002, 08:24 AM

Thank you very much for the inputs! Hi Marc!

I have been made an intriguing offer (cash plus mint 72 240Z) for my 72S and wanted to check it out further.

Rot 911 · 07-09-2002, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Carlo A
I have been made an intriguing offer (cash plus mint 72 240Z) for my 72S and wanted to check it out further.

Well don't make it such a mystery. How much cash is the person offering?

MBAtarga · 07-09-2002, 08:59 AM

A '72 240Z was my second car at the age of eighteen. I still carry a picture of it in my wallet - even though I sold it about 12 years ago. It was that pumpkin orange color - got great comments on it everywhere I went. I can't offer any comments in regards to an early 911, but I do regret selling it since day one....

Efrain68912 · 07-09-2002, 09:39 AM

How interesting - I never wanted my 912, I wanted my uncle's 71 240Z. He gave it to me just after we finished the 912, and its still sitting in the back of the shop waiting for its resto. Its that orange color - parsimon I think. I think it and the early 911s are among the greatest looking cars ever.

dickster · 07-09-2002, 10:08 AM

ah the z, one of my old loves.

wasn't it the first japanese sports, and one of the most successful sports car ever built??

i've had the pleasure of two. first was red. head gasket gone, and floor/front chasis member gone! i bought it for £200 odd pounds and got it on the road. i cut a chasis leg out of a car that looked like it would fit. my welding skill came in handy!

the second was white. family car for years. i drove a couple of hours to view it, and then back down to pick up. had to trailer it 'cause it wasn't road worthy (pattern here).

got that back on the road and eventually trebled my money

didn't want to sell, just got a company car.

compared to the 911??

it doesn't compare. totally different drive. front engine, in line six. lovely gearbox. light rear end, rwd.

i prefer the uuummmpphhh of my carrera, but i can't remember the power output of the z, maybe 150?? that may compare better with older 9's??

i'd have both if i could......................and a triumph stag

RazorRacer · 07-09-2002, 11:18 AM

Is it just me or did the Datsun 240Z loose something when it went to the 260 and then the 280. The 280Z just doesn't do it for me like the 240Z does.

I had a chance to drive one in 2222 near Austin, Texas. I loved the way the rear would smoothly oversteer. How do the 280's compare?

A 240Z plus cash for a 912? I'd say it's a toss up depending on the amount of cash.

epbrown · 07-09-2002, 11:46 AM

Check back issues of magazines. I'm pretty sure that Classic and Sports Car, Pracilcal Classics, and Classic Cars have done articles on the 240Z. One article I read compared the 240Z to the 260 and 280, another compared the 240Z to the early Porsche 911 and Ferrari Dino.

Emanuel

Joe911 · 07-09-2002, 12:34 PM

A 1972 Datsun 240Z was my vehicle of choice at some point in the mid 70s. Drive very much like an XKE - loved it. Lots of low end torque - neutral handling - rusted just like the 911s. Also had a 1970 911E Targa and an 1972 280SE 4.5 Benz sedan. Then I got married!

targa911man · targa911man's Garage

I had a '72 240Z for a couple of years about 20 years ago. It was a rocket. I have only test driven a few early 911s, but from what I recall of the Z I think the early 911s handle a lot better, particularly in terms of predictibility. I agree that powersliding on the Z was easy to induce and control, but the problem was that the rear end would sometimes come around, radically, when you didn't expect it or want it to. I did a 180 once when I gave it too much gas on a sharp exit ramp, and this was not at high speed and I didn't "punch" it. Luckily, no one was behind me. After that happened I was of course more cautious in sharp turns, but I still had a couple more occasions where the back end unexpectedly started to come around with the power on but without a lot of side force. I think the problem is due to the huge (for that size car) engine up front and no weight in the rear. Cornering on rough pavement was also an adventure, for the same reason.
The oversteer on the 911s will bring the rear end around, but at a higher speed and much slower and more even rate than the early Z, IMO. My '85 911 holds corners at speeds much higher that what would have had the Z spinning out.

beamonk · 07-09-2002, 06:46 PM

I have has 3 240's and really loved them. I had a 280 which was heavier but very fast. Motor and trans were great, but the 240's never felt as robust as 911's. Brakes weren't even close to 911's. My 2000 roadster is somewhat buckboard compared to the z, but it is a blast to drive.