What you'll find here
Year-by-year archive pages with brochure PDFs, core specs, and links to related models.
240 Z – 260 Z – 280 Z15 PDFs
Datsun 240 Z – 260 Z – 280 Z
This archive contains 15 dealer brochures documenting the Datsun 240 Z from 1970 to 1982. The collection spans three generations of this groundbreaking sports car: the 240 Z, 260 Z, and 260 Z 2+2 models. Original literature from seven international markets reveals how Datsun positioned the Z across different regions and evolved its appeal over the decade. Essential for automotive historians, collectors, and researchers studying the Z's global impact and design evolution.
Multi-marketMarket
15PDFs
1970–1982Production
9Model years
Why it matters
Original manufacturer materials document equipment and options exactly as they were offered.
How to navigate
Use search or the year browser below. Each brochure card links to the full PDF download.
Browse by model year
Open a year to view details and download the brochure.
1970 Datsun 240 Z Brochure
The 1970 240 Z arrived with a complete package: a 2.4-litre inline-six producing 151 horsepower, a five-speed manual transmission, and independent double-wishbone suspension all tuned for genuine driver engagement. Priced at $3,565, it undercut European rivals while offering a long hood and short deck that spoke to American sports-car tradition without apology.
1971 Datsun 240 Z Brochure
When Datsun introduced the 240 Z to American buyers in 1970–71, it arrived as a direct challenger to the aging Jaguar E-Type and Triumph TR6. The 2.4-litre inline-six produced 150 horsepower and delivered the kind of handling balance European sports cars had perfected, but at a fraction of their price. For the first time, Japanese engineering was credible in the sports-car conv
1972 Datsun 240 Z Brochure
By 1972, the 240 Z had already proven itself against British roadsters and Italian coupes in markets worldwide, yet the updated model arrived with sharper focus. Buyers weighing it against the Jaguar E-Type or Porsche 911 found a car that delivered genuine performance without the temperamental service schedules. The 151-horsepower six-cylinder engine, paired with a five-speed g
1972 Datsun 240 Z Sport Brochure
The 240 Z Sport arrived in 1972 with Datsun's proven 2.4-litre straight-six, producing 151 horsepower and paired to a five-speed manual transmission. This powertrain combination made the Japanese coupé genuinely competitive against the Porsche 914 and Jaguar E-Type in acceleration and handling, yet at a fraction of the cost. The engine's reliability and the chassis's responsive
1971 Datsun 260 Z Brochure
The 260 Z arrived in North American showrooms when American muscle was faltering and Japanese engineering was still proving itself. Datsun's 2.6-litre inline-six, producing 151 horsepower, challenged the notion that a true sports car required European pedigree or American cubic inches. Its combination of affordability, reliability, and nimble handling found buyers who might nev
1974 Datsun 260 Z Brochure
By 1974, the Z had matured into a genuine sports car alternative for buyers seeking Japanese reliability without European price tags. The 2,6-litre straight-six, producing 162 horsepower, positioned it squarely against Porsche's 914 and the aging Triumph TR6. Datsun's Dutch distributors marketed it as the affordable performance choice—and the market listened.
1975 Datsun 260 Z Brochure
By 1975, the 260Z faced stiffening competition from the Porsche 914 and BMW 2002, yet Datsun's 2.6-litre inline-six—good for 162 horsepower—offered more displacement and a lower price point than either rival. American buyers found the Z-car's combination of accessible performance and Japanese reliability increasingly persuasive in an era of fuel uncertainty.
1976 Datsun 260 Z & 2+2 Brochure
By 1976, the 260Z had proven itself against Porsche 911 buyers willing to trade some prestige for reliability and value. The 2+2 arrived as Datsun's answer to those seeking genuine sports performance without the European service costs. Left-hand-drive exports to the UK and France carried the same 162-horsepower inline-six that had earned respect in American and Australian marke
1977 Datsun 260 Z 2+2 Brochure
The 260Z's 2.6-litre inline-six produced 162 horsepower—enough to keep pace with rivals like the Porsche 924 and Triumph TR7 in the British market. By 1977, this longer-wheelbase variant offered the practicality of a rear bench without sacrificing the Z's fundamental appeal as an affordable sports car that didn't compromise on straight-line pace.
1976 Datsun 280 Z Brochure
By 1976, Datsun offered the Z in three distinct body configurations across the US market: the fastback coupé, the 2+2 extended-wheelbase variant, and a T-top option that gave buyers an open-air alternative. The 2.8-litre inline six produced 149 horsepower, down slightly from earlier years due to emissions tuning, yet still competitive against Porsche 924 and Triumph TR7 buyers
1979 Datsun 280 ZX Brochure
By 1979, Datsun was positioning the 280 ZX as an affordable alternative to Porsche's 924, aiming at buyers who wanted European sports-car pretensions without the repair bills. The 2.8-litre inline-six produced 145 horsepower and proved bulletproof reliable—a quality American and Dutch showrooms emphasized heavily. Two brochure variants covered the same market, suggesting Datsun
1982 Datsun 280 ZX & ZXT Brochure
By 1982, the 280 ZX found itself squeezed between fading American muscle cars and the rising tide of European sports coupes. Nissan's 2.8-litre inline-six, producing 145 horsepower, offered reliable straight-line performance without the raw aggression younger buyers were beginning to demand. Yet for drivers seeking understated competence over theatrical drama, it remained a cre
Frequently asked questions
How many documents are in the Datsun 240 Z archive?
The archive contains 15 original documents covering the Datsun 240 Z and its variants. This collection includes brochures, dealer catalogs, and press materials spanning multiple markets and decades. Together, they provide comprehensive documentation of this iconic sports car's evolution.
What years does the archive cover?
The collection spans from 1970 to 1982, documenting the entire first-generation Z era. All major model years are represented, including transitions from the 240 Z through the 260 Z to later variants. This unbroken timeline allows you to track the model's development across these pivotal years.
Can these documents help with restoration research?
Absolutely. The original documents are invaluable for restoration projects. They contain detailed specifications, color options, equipment variations, and production details for each model year. Restorers can verify authenticity and ensure their work matches the original factory specifications.
What regional variants are represented in the collection?
Seven different markets and regional variants are documented in the archive. The materials show how Datsun adapted the 240 Z for different countries and regions. This is essential for collectors seeking to understand market-specific differences and production variations.
Which Z series and variants are documented?
The archive covers the 240 Z, 240 Z Sport, 260 Z, 260 Z and 2+2, and 260 Z 2+2. This documentation traces the Z-line's evolution from the original sports car to the extended coupe variants with additional seating. Each variant is represented in the source materials.
How does this archive page differ from the catalog page?
The archive page focuses on original source documents and digitized brochures, while the catalog page covers the vehicle's technical specifications and features. Here you explore historical materials and period literature; the catalog provides vehicle data and performance information.
How often is the archive updated with new documents?
The archive grows regularly as new authentic materials are discovered and digitized. Update frequency depends on acquisition of original documents from various sources. Check back periodically to discover newly added materials to the collection.