Datsun 240Z: The Japanese Sports Car That Started a Global Automotive Revolution

Launched at the end of the 1960s, the Datsun 240Z changed how the world viewed Japanese engineering. More than five decades later its influence still echoes in the modern Nissan Z (2026). This article examines the 240Z’s impact, the 1971 contemporary reporting that saw the shift coming, and how lessons learned then shaped the global car industry.

The Rise of Nissan: From 2,000 to 100,000 Cars in the UK

In 1970 Nissan’s presence in the United Kingdom was small — barely 2,000 cars sold. By 2024 that number had grown to over 100,000. That growth mirrors Japan’s broader ascent in the global automotive market. While some Western firms were hampered by industrial unrest and outdated factory practices, Japanese makers quietly perfected reliability, value and engineering — and the Datsun 240Z became the symbol of that transformation.

A Quick Look: Datsun 240Z Key Specifications (1971)

The 1971 Autocar Revelation

A key contemporary account from 1971 offered more than a road test — it explained the strategy behind the cars. The article observed that Datsun had risen to become one of the world’s top automakers and that Japanese companies were not merely copying Western designs but actively improving them. Exports were growing fast, and cars like the 240Z were purpose-built for international markets where performance and value mattered.

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Why that contemporary reporting mattered

The 1971 reportage provided a snapshot of a wider shift: Japan’s manufacturers were learning rapidly, listening to critics and customers, and applying engineering changes far quicker than many Western rivals. That approach would ultimately reshape global perceptions of quality and value.

The World in 1971: Japan’s Roads and Export Ambitions

Japan in the early 1970s was still rebuilding. The road network was limited and domestic car ownership was only just rising. Companies like Datsun realized that domestic markets could not fuel long-term growth — exports would. So they designed cars for Europe and America, not only for Japan. The 240Z is a perfect example: a sports coupe made for buyers who wanted performance without an astronomical price tag.

How Datsun Outsmarted the West

Datsun’s engineers did something simple and powerful — they listened. Rather than defending their designs on principle, they asked testers, journalists and dealers what needed improvement and then fixed it. The result was rapid progress in areas where some earlier Japanese exports had lagged: brakes, damping, gearbox feel and overall refinement.

• They asked Western testers which elements were weakest and addressed those directly.
• They improved brake and suspension components to match expected performance levels.
• They refined gearbox feel and interior comfort through continuous testing and iteration.
• They supported dealers and parts distribution for export markets, ensuring reliability for owners abroad.

The Cherry, Transverse Engines and Kaizen

While the 240Z grabbed headlines, Datsun’s smaller models — like the Cherry — showed how the company embraced new layouts such as transverse front-wheel drive for compact cars. This adoption of new engineering philosophies and a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen) helped Japanese manufacturers leap ahead in both small and large segments.

240Z: The Car Built for the World

The 240Z wasn’t designed primarily for the Japanese domestic market — it was a car made for export buyers who wanted sports-car performance at accessible cost. It competed against European icons and in many tests matched or bettered the performance of more expensive rivals, proving that Japanese firms could deliver genuine sporting credentials.

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Real world performance and pricing

In road tests the 240Z recorded top speeds and acceleration figures comparable to several pricier European machines, while costing significantly less — a disruptive combination that attracted buyers who wanted sportscar thrills without an overwhelming price tag.

Why Britain Didn’t See It Coming

There were structural reasons Western manufacturers underestimated Japan. Japanese factories — even if they appeared less advanced at first glance — applied efficiency and a team-based culture that focused on product quality. Company-based unions in Japan encouraged long-term relationships between management and workers, while some Western factories suffered from trade-based union fragmentation and inconsistent output.

The motorcycle industry gave an early warning: Japanese bikes outperformed British rivals in weight, reliability and value. The same pattern repeated with cars — and by the time the scale of the change was obvious, significant market share had already shifted.

Legacy of the Datsun 240Z

The 240Z did more than sell well — it changed minds. It proved that Japanese engineering could produce evocative design, spirited performance and robust value. The success of the 240Z paved the way for successive Z models: the 280ZX, 300ZX, 350Z, 370Z and the contemporary 2026 Nissan Z — each generation inheriting the core DNA of driver focus, rear-wheel drive layout and an emphasis on balance between performance and affordability.

Datsun 240Z vs.  Modern Nissan Z (2026) — Legacy Comparison

What Made the Japanese Strategy So Powerful

1. Attention to detail: incremental improvements to every component improved overall quality.
2. Customer feedback: engineers listened to journalists, drivers and dealers, then acted.
3. Efficiency over pride: a willingness to change processes and adopt better methods quickly.
4. Quality over quantity: a reputation for reliability and well-built cars that buyers trusted.

Final Thoughts: The 240Z’s Enduring Spirit

The Datsun 240Z was not just a car of its era — it was a forecast. It showed that humility, learning and continuous engineering could defeat complacency and tradition. The legacy of the 240Z is visible in today’s sports cars that balance performance with everyday usability. From the 240Z in 1971 to the Nissan Z of 2026, the Z lineage traces a path of steady evolution that transformed a national industry into a global leader.