Another Road & Track article from January 1975, reviewing the new 280Z with fuel injection.
A two page article.
Fittipaldi had won the 1974 F1 Championship and Mark Donohue was preparing for 1975 F1 Series.
ALSO included an article from the March 1977 Issue “Road Test Update” Datsun 280Z 5-Speed.
A one page article.
In the classifieds a 1969 Dodge Hemi Charger R/T. Clean factory Hemi car. Fresh 426cu.in. 425-bhp. $2,950.00
Road & Track had increased to $1.25 an issue.
Colin, The older one.

At the risk of losing some friends, I have to say this was the final 'acceptable' modification made to the great Z car. After this, they became bloated whales, with airconditioning, "venetian blinds" on the hatch, power steering, power windows, 2+2 seating, 40lbs of carpet and padding, and automatic transmissions. The bumpers and wheels looked like something transferred from Detroit and the interiors whispered the name, "Thunderbird". I'm surpriZed they never offered wheel skirtz and a Continental kit or a rear bumper tow-hitch!

Don't get me wrong ~ for a cross-country highway cruiser they were great; plenty of comfort and luxury, with lots of doo-dads to entertain yourself with as the miles flew by.

But for us guyz who looked at the Z as a lightweight, nimble little sportscar which would willingly wind itself to redline in each gear and leave most other street cars in the mirrors, the next changes to the Z gave me thoughts of Elvis in his final years.

And now I won't receive any Christmas cards from many of my Z Buddies. (But they know I'm right).

Frank T
Apr/70 240Z

Hhmmm

Well, I'm referring to the first series body shell, Phil......

a rear bumper tow-hitch!

Believe it or don't, I've got one of those that I made up for towing jet skis around to central Texas lakes. (not to mention a road trip to Wisconsin and New England) Since those daze are long gone,I did'nt put it back on after the latest paint job. Still got it tho...

Glad I came across this. What an excellent read. So what year was power steering added? When the Zx came out? So 79?

Frank is spot-on. The last Z that could strictly be called a "sports car", in my humble opinion, was the 1973 240Z. I might be stretching it a bit even at that as the '73's performance suffered with those damn flat top carbs. The 260Z and 280Z were still in the sports car mold but with some creature comforts added. So for argument's sake, let's say that the Z of 1970-78 were true sports cars.

The MARKET (it's all about sales folks!) dictated the changes in the Z beginning in 1979 with the 280ZX. Consumers wanted luxury to go with their sportiness, just take a look at the Corvettes and Porsches of that era. As much as I hate to admit it, Mazda took hold of the "sports car" market in 1979 with the introduction of the RX7. Sales figures of the 280ZX skyrocketed proving that the trend the car was going in was correct from a corporate standpoint. I believe that the 1979 280ZX was the biggest selling Z ever with over 80,000 sold. The Z31 continued the trend toward a Grand Touring car with more power added to enhance performance to go along with your leather seats, power windows and air conditioning.

The Z32 totally strayed from the original Z market and entered the "supercar" realm. Great, great car but no longer a everyman sports car with great bang for the buck.

The 350Z tried to return to the roots and did so successfully IMO, a great value in 2003-08 dollars. I see the 370Z pretty much the same, although it's cost is again getting ahead of the traditional Z buyer's market.

So yes, the 240Z was a SPORTS CAR. The 280Z began a transition to the GT class which continued through the 1990s.

My 240 cents....

_________________
John Taddonio
President, Z Car Club of Rochester NY
zcarnut@hotmail.com
FB: Zccr zcarclubofrochester