The Nissan S30 (sold in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and in other markets as the Datsun 240Z, then later as the 260Z and 280Z) was the first generation of Z GT two-seat coupe, produced by Nissan Motors, Ltd. of Japan from 1969 to 1978.
All variants had a 4-wheel independent suspension consisting of MacPherson struts in front (borrowed from the Nissan Laurel C30) and Chapman struts in back. Front disc brakes and rear drums were standard.
The 240Z and 260Z used twin, variable venturi Hitachi one-barrel side-draft SU-like carburetors. The carburetors were changed beginning with model year 1973 to comply with emissions regulations, but the earlier carburetors were superior for performance as compared to the later Webers. Fuel injection (L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, designed by Bosch) was added for the 280Z in 1975 for the US. This was primarily in order to cope with the difficulty faced in getting enough power using carburetors while still meeting US emissions regulations.
Three homologation special variants were available. The first was the Fairlady ZG, which had extended fiberglass nose with a set of acrylic headlight covers for better aerodynamic properties, a rear spoiler, riveted over-fenders and fender-mounted wing mirrors. It was originally a Japan-only option, but later Nissan sold the nose kit as an optional extra to make it eligible to compete in the US. Another special variants were the Z432 and Z432R, both were powered by Nissan's S20 engine similar to that of Nissan Skyline GT-R's. The 432 stands for 4 valves (per cylinder, owing to S20's 24 valve head design), 3 (Mikuni twin-barrel) carburetors, and two camshafts. The Z432 was known for being a rare limited edition variant with approximately 420 units sold and some of which were used as police cars, while the Z432R was known to be a rally homologation special, weighing at 100 kg lighter than the Z432 and sported a rear spoiler (optional on Z432), aluminium wheels, lighter-weight bonnet, doors, and front guards, and also a reworked engine. Only 20 were ever produced, and it was only available in orange.
All variants had a 4-wheel independent suspension consisting of MacPherson struts in front (borrowed from the Nissan Laurel C30) and Chapman struts in back. Front disc brakes and rear drums were standard.
The 240Z and 260Z used twin, variable venturi Hitachi one-barrel side-draft SU-like carburetors. The carburetors were changed beginning with model year 1973 to comply with emissions regulations, but the earlier carburetors were superior for performance as compared to the later Webers. Fuel injection (L-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, designed by Bosch) was added for the 280Z in 1975 for the US. This was primarily in order to cope with the difficulty faced in getting enough power using carburetors while still meeting US emissions regulations.
Three homologation special variants were available. The first was the Fairlady ZG, which had extended fiberglass nose with a set of acrylic headlight covers for better aerodynamic properties, a rear spoiler, riveted over-fenders and fender-mounted wing mirrors. It was originally a Japan-only option, but later Nissan sold the nose kit as an optional extra to make it eligible to compete in the US. Another special variants were the Z432 and Z432R, both were powered by Nissan's S20 engine similar to that of Nissan Skyline GT-R's. The 432 stands for 4 valves (per cylinder, owing to S20's 24 valve head design), 3 (Mikuni twin-barrel) carburetors, and two camshafts. The Z432 was known for being a rare limited edition variant with approximately 420 units sold and some of which were used as police cars, while the Z432R was known to be a rally homologation special, weighing at 100 kg lighter than the Z432 and sported a rear spoiler (optional on Z432), aluminium wheels, lighter-weight bonnet, doors, and front guards, and also a reworked engine. Only 20 were ever produced, and it was only available in orange.
