Datsun 240Z Vs 260Z Vs 280Z: What's The Difference?

Datsun 240Z Vs 260Z Vs 280Z: What's The Difference?

When most people think of iconic Japanese sports cars, things like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Mazda RX-7, and AE86 Toyota Corollas. However, if you step back a little further in history, the S30 chassis Datsun Z cars took the world by storm as an affordable, entry-level sports car that could throw punches with the priciest of sports cars.

The S30 chassis Datsun Z car includes the 240Z, 260Z, and 280Z. Known overseas as the Fairlady Z, this car is the birthplace of the lineup of Z cars that continues production to this day with the 2024 Nissan Z sports car.

If you're familiar with the naming scheme of Z cars in the U.S., you're likely to know that the number preceding the letter is in reference to the displacement of the engine. That being said, there are a handful of additional differences between the 240Z, 260Z, and 280Z. Let's dig into their differences.

240Z and the birth of the Z Car

Nissan (Datsun at the time) first started production of the 240Z in October 1969 for the 1970 model year. Allegedly designed as an answer to the Toyota 2000GT, the 240Z was an instant hit and would go on to demolish its Toyota counterpart. With an a...