FAST

FACTS

In 1973, tightening emissions requirements forced the switch to flat-top Hitachi carbs. While advertised power output remained the same, these new carbs weren’t as easy to tune, nor were they as reliable as the old setup. Nicknamed “boat anchors” by enthusiasts who remove them, these flat tops are complex and hard to find parts for. Switching to the older round top carbs of the earlier models is a straightforward and common upgrade
The 240Z produced respectable performance numbers for a $3500 sports car. For example, it made more horsepower than the same year Porsche 911 (which cost substantially more). Car and driver recorded a 16.1 second 1/4 mile at 86.5 mph back in 1970. This was a full second faster (and 9mph quicker) than the Triumph TR6 (a market competitor to the Z)
The story between Datsun and Nissan can get a bit lengthy, but to keep it short – they were the same company since the 1930’s. “Nissan” was the name of the company, and “Datsun” was the name of the car. While Datsun was known for producing economy cars in America in the 50’s, Nissan wanted to create a new image in the U.S market by selling sports cars under the new name “Nissan”. However, they weren’t sure if Americans wanted a Japanese sports car right after WWII, so rather than risk tarnishing the name “Nissan”, they stuck with Datsun for the time being
Nissan/Datsun’s sports car line was named “Fair Lady” by Nissan President Kawamata after he attended the Broadway Musical “My Fair Lady” in the U.S
Kawamata thought the connection would “promote an image of beauty for the car” (this is common practice within Japanese culture when choosing automotive names). This is why the Z is referred to as the “Fairlady” in Japan
However, this naming practice isn’t popular in American culture, so Nissan did what most other foreign carmakers were doing in the U.S market – use engine displacement as the model name. (such as 240Z = 2.40 liter engine)

Key Model Year Changes:

The final year of the 240z, known as the Series IV
New 2.5 mph bumper guards
E-88 cylinder head is revised w/ low compression to meet ’73 emissions standards
The switch is made to flat-top Hitachi carbs
Features a redesigned dash layout, with backlight heater/vent controls and new hazard switch design. Intermittent windshield wipers are now standard equipment
Headlight buckets are now steel (from fiberglass)
Flame resistant materials were added to the interior
The automatic transmission was available from 1971-1973

Specs: