*This is a translation done by a machine.

This is an SP & SR type Fair Lady that gained popularity in the 60's as an open two-seater sports car. It is not always the correct answer that the Fairlady Z (S30) was developed as a successor model. Of course, the main market for SR Fairlady was already North America, but it is said that there was no instruction from management to make a model change immediately. In other words, it wasn't developed from the beginning as a successor model.

What kind of sports cars are popular in overseas markets? What is the next generation cool sports car? It was a project started by a very small group of Nissan designers who raised such independent issues.

The latter half of the 1960s was a time when new knowledge of design and technology was pouring in from the United States. As a result of the engineers' acceptance of the original sports car proposal designed in secret, the ale from the American market, and the request of "Fairlady with a high-performance six-cylinder engine" that the management of the time wanted, the official development of the unparalleled GT sports car later called the Fairlady Z (export name is Datsun Z) began.

During the 10 years between its debut in 1969 and 1978, approximately 530,000 units were produced, most of which were sold overseas, particularly in North America. In 1970, when sales started, the dealer was flooded with orders and immediately waited more than half a year for delivery. Production in Japan was also increased, but it was still surprising that 80% of it was exported to the United States during the first 4 years. It is still known as "DATSUN Z" and is popular among many sports car enthusiasts.

The engine installed was basically an L-type inline six-cylinder SOHC. From the time of its debut, three grades of Japanese specifications were available: the 2-liter (L20) Z (4MT) and the fully-equipped Z-L (5MT) normal grades, and the Z432 (4 valves, 3 carburetors, 2 camshafts) with the 2-liter inline 6-cylinder DOHC engine of the famous S20 model, the only one that was not an L model. In 1970, a 3AT was added to the stock model, and in 1971, the 240Z series, including the 240ZG with a aerodynamics nose (commonly known as the G-nose), and in 1974, a 2-by-2 model with an extended wheelbase and roof and a +2 seater. By the way, the Z432 and 240ZG are exclusive models in Japan, and now they are known as collectors' items representing Japanese cars in the world.

For the US market, the 2.4-liter (L24) Datsun 240Z (4MT, with 3AT added later) was launched, followed by the 2.6-liter 260Z and the 2.8-liter 280Z, but it was very popular and the grade structure was kept simple.

It has been active as a motor sport in safari rallies in Africa and SCCA races in the U.S., and the Fairlady Z has quickly become a favorite of young people around the world. It was said that the price was much cheaper than the world's famous sports cars such as Porsche, but the price in Japan at the time of its debut was about 20 times higher than the starting salary of a college graduate, and the Z432 was 40 times higher.

Current owners of the fanatical S30Z mania have discovered that it was a left-hand drive model for the North American market, a Datsun 240Z, produced very early, in March 1970.

The current owner fell in love with the tattered "DATSUN Z" that came and went on the freeway when he was training in America. After returning to Japan in 1999, I saw this car at a famous Japanese shop. It was a highly original car, having spent almost 30 years with its owner near Los Angeles, so he decided to fully restore it and continue to drive it.

As the current owner is obsessed with originality, this car retains almost the same precious early features. The only difference is the body color, tires and wheels. Originally, the color of this car was "Universal Blue(Color Code 903)", which was set for export only for the first 2 years, but it looked too plain under ultraviolet rays in Japan, so the owner had it painted in the owner's favorite color "Bayside Blue", the current owner's favorite color for the R34 Skyline GT-R.

As for tires and wheels, normal size tires and steel wheels and wheel covers with D marks are also included. You can enjoy the 1970 style alloy wheels as they are, restore them to their original state, or repaint them in their original colors. Everything else is in original condition, and the unique metallic interior is valuable. The seats and door trim are restored, but the others seem to be those of the time.

For detailed specifications and selling points, please refer to the owner's "Direct Report" section. I test drove it around and the engine woke up smoothly and was very easy to ride, and the body and undercarriage were in good condition. I could feel that the car was going to be ridden without any worries for the time being, so it is a proof that the current owner is taking good care of it.

Notably, this car has made three trips to and from the Pacific Ocean in the past. The first time, of course, was when it was exported as a new car and then reverse-imported into Japan. The second time (in 2000) and the third time (in 2004) was when the current owner participated in ZCON, which is held every year in the United States. On both those occasions, he won first place in his class at the competition in recognition of the high original conditions.

By the way, it seems that the combination of body color 903 and blue interior (There were black, brown, and blue for export.) is quite rare. Speaking of the Datsun 240Z, a car with a green body and a tea interior manufactured in April 1970 called HLS30-04684 was sold at a past auction for 310,000 dollars due to a miracle preservation. Excluding Z432R, it became the highest price ever. This car, which is an early model of a rare color combination, also has a great charm.

The most attractive feature of this car is that the features of the early model remain firmly. Let's list the attractions.

・The emblem is all made of metal.
・A let tail gate with two air outs.
・The C-pillar emblem is engraved as "240Z".
・Includes stock early model caps (letter D) and steel wheels with tires.
・Engine camshaft cover with the letters 2400OHC.
・The center console has both a choke lever and a hand throttle lever.
・A plastic tool cover is behind the backrest.
・a steering wheel with spokes without holes.
・Flat map light cover with no shade.
・A simple 3-layer louver type center air vent.
・The blue interior was set only for the first two years.
・Seat belt hook at seat back side.
・A stylish round coat hanger with chrome plating.
・An interior mirror stay with a beautiful leg length design.
・Autotuning AM radio.

For the US market, the engine number is required to be written on the body number plate, and of course the L24 engine of this car is a matching number. The compression ratio of the E31 head was set higher at 9.0:1 for the initial model only. The L24 engine for the Japanese 240Z/ZG, which was introduced in October 1971, is an E88 with a compression ratio of 8.8:1. In other words, the E31 type L24 with 2400OHC stated on the engine camshaft cover is an engine that does not exist in domestic specifications. The mission is a 4-speed F4W71A with a Warner type synchromesh. This is the type that later became the mainstream of Nissan cars. The rear differential has an R180 gear ratio of 3.364 and is designed to cruise 60 miles (100km/h) at 4-speed and 2500rpm.

I'm the type of person who can't be convinced that everything from a single screw to a hose band isn't original. All parts are not ornaments and must function properly, so I want to stick to the original even if I cannot see them.

It's original when you run, original when you touch it, and original when you switch it on. From small lights to 8-Track, it's designed to keep things moving. In other words, there are no unfortunate points that old cars tend to have! The seatbelt tags, plastic covers, and other parts that tend to get damaged and thrown away are all properly attached. So are in-vehicle tools. All of the four cars that I exhibited this time are the ones that I got on with full enjoyment of being original.