Talk of it being a ‘baby E-Type’ is probably stretching things a bit but there’s no doubt the arrival of the sleekly styled 240Z rather upset the established sports car market. The early-‘70s offered a good choice of coupes in the UK – the likes of the MGB GT and Ford Capri being obvious ones – but the Japanese contender offered a tempting blend of performance, handling ability, comfort and reliability.
The 2.4-litre straight-six engine ensured it was no slouch, its 150bhp enough to deliver 125mph and 0-60mph in 8.0 seconds. The 260Z that arrived in 1974 provided more torque, but its longer stroke meant it wasn’t quite as revvy as the earlier car. That said, either model provides plenty of entertainment today so you won’t be disappointed whichever you choose.
There were numerous detail changes throughout production, including the introduction of a more practical 2+2, but the fundamentals remained the same and that was no bad thing. It was finally replaced by the 280ZX in 1979, a model that dialled back the sportiness and became more of a relaxed cruiser. Fast forward the best part of five decades
