{"id":44243,"date":"2023-03-05T09:03:17","date_gmt":"2023-03-05T14:03:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=44243"},"modified":"2023-03-05T09:03:17","modified_gmt":"2023-03-05T14:03:17","slug":"1138865_an-original-nissan-z-rolls-into-jay-leno-s-garage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=44243","title":{"rendered":"An original Nissan Z rolls into Jay Leno’s Garage"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Nissan Z first came to the U.S. in the late 1960s as the Datsun 240Z<\/a>, but in Japan this first-generation model (code-named S30) was known as the Nissan Fairlady Z. On a recent episode of “Jay Leno’s Garage,” Z specialist Jay Ataka shows off an early example of the version sold in Japan.<\/p>\n

While sold in both markets, the 240Z was designed with the U.S. in mind. Yutaka Katayama, then head of Nissan’s West Coast operations and known as Mr. K to Z car fans, pushed for the car and, concerned that Americans wouldn’t like the Fairlady name, advocated for the 240Z name instead. Like other U.S.-market Nissan models of the period, the sports car was also badged a Datsun.<\/p>\n

The car shown here is easily identifiable as a JDM model by its fender-mounted mirrors, a common feature on cars sold in Japan. It also has covered headlights, grille-mounted turn signals, and, because this is a base model, plain steel wheels without hub caps. This car also has a locking gas cap, which wasn’t offered in the U.S. as a factory option.<\/p>\n

The U.S.-spec 240Z launched with a 2.4-liter inline-6 producing 130 hp, but that was later downgraded to 125 hp partway through 1971. However, Japanese-market base models like this car left the factory with a 2.0-liter version of this engine, and also started production a bit earlier, in late 1969. This car features an upgraded head that boosted output to 125 hp, with a 5-speed manual transmission.\u00a0<\/p>\n