Not me, but was certainly familiar with 240, 260 and 280Z’s, and respected them. In the late 70s as I ripped up the straight line pavement in a 72 V code 442, my best friend‘s older brother had a 240Z that ran the historic and beautiful PA rural roads quite nicely.

He never could beat me in a straight line, and I couldn’t catch him on the winding back roads of Chester county, but we both sure had a hell of a lot of fun.

The nomenclature of this particular Z car is quite intriguing, and closely aligned with our beloved Oldsmobile performance machines.

4 valves per cylinder
3 carbs
2 camshafts


https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/a35432585/datsun-240z-fairlady-z432r-history/

 

Z cars were a little out of my price range but I always liked them. 240, 260 and 280 Z were fantastic. When the 280 and especially 300 Zx showed up, they turned into disco pimp mobiles. The legendary performance was still there but the cars just looked Studio 54.

A guy who lived in the same apartment complex I did in early 80s had a French Beige 300Zx with, I kid you not, a MAGENTA interior. He was a real lounge lizard and the car suited him well.

 

Multi national numerical performance models, circa 1972:


442


432

 

Memory lane today. Saw an Olds that reminded me of my brother and now Z's. My Mom, had a really nice light metallic blue 77 280Z that she bought from the original owner, a neighbor who worked for Lockheed as an aerospace engineer on classified defense projects. Funny things you remember, like the guys in suits that used to come by the neighborhood once every couple of years and ask if we knew the neighbor at 3986 and they'd ask if he ever talked about his work and stuff like that. Literal Men in Black look. Pretty fascinating for a 6 or 7 year old. That Z was a really amazing handler on corners. There is a really windy freeway that leads to and from the beach and that Z would just carve up those roads. Not the fastest from light to light but it was pretty fun to drive. Unfortunately, my Mom passed away pretty young. Coincidentally, today, 8/12 would have marked the 60th wedding anniversary for her and my Dad.