Why are 72's considered best Z

[Carl Beck]

Seems like everyone refers to the 1972 240 as the best around and I was wondering what prompts that attitude. Why different than 73 or 71?

Hi Roger:

Setting aside all the excellent rational for the differing perspectives as to just what the word "best" means; when the context is not specific enough, or which specific cases one can consider; ... if we take your question to mean which model year 240-Z, as delivered from the factory, represented Nissan's Best Effort to deliver a 240-Z that meet their Customers' Requirements/Desires and was as free from defects or troubles as possible... then I believe the answer is most certainly the 1972 Model Year.

As many have mentioned - by the 1972 Model Year Nissan had made many improvements to the 240-Z, based in large part on experience and feedback from their Dealers...who used to listen carefully to their Customers and report that feedback to Nissan Motors USA (at least here in America)

To a lesser extent "issues" already known to the Nissan Engineers were also addressed in the 72 Model Year.

I know this to be a fact, because I was both a Salesman and New Car Sales Manager for a Datsun Dealer in 72/73.

Why Different Than 71?

The long list of improvements made for the 72.

Why Different Than 73?

The Federal Emissions and Safety Standards for 73 - which had little or nothing to do with what the Customers "wanted".

No question in my mind that "Stock" for "Stock" the 72 240-Z was the "Best of Breed" for the new car buyers. It would also be my first choice for any stock 240-Z that I wanted to drive across the State or across the Country.

Start making modifications or taking exceptions to "stock" .. and all bets are off...

Just my "opinion" based on owning and driving them all for the past 36 years, for what its worth.

The "best" 240-Z that you can find today - is the one that is closest to original, stock with the most rust free body!!

Carl B.

[Ed]

In stock condition it would be one thing. But so many have been modified or changed in the last 30 years trying to decide which one is the "best" is in the eye of the beholder.

Maybe we should ask which body, completely naked is the best? This way there are no modifications involved.

Would you rather have a 72 that has had serious surgery or a 73 that has been well taken care of?

[RB30-ZED]

Dont forget that it would appear that it was only the USA that the 1973 was found to be lacking. Here in Australia the 1973 had round top SU's a 5 speed with 2.9:1 first, 3.9 final drive and only a PCV system.

Got to be luck some times.

[Carl Beck]

Dont forget that it would appear that it was only the USA that the 1973 was found to be lacking. Here in Australia the 1973 had round top SU's a 5 speed with 2.9:1 first, 3.9 final drive and only a PCV system.

Got to be luck some times.

Hi Steven:

We didn't forget... we just try to ignore the fact that our friends in Australia continued to run leaded fuels and drive dirty emissions vehicle for years after we attempted to set a high standard for purity here in the US. { just kidding of course...}

regards,

Carl B.

BTW - I see that we can celebrate our birthdays together...

[madkaw]

Then there is titled 71 models that are built late in the year like my 9/71 that have some of the "upgrades" like the curved bar for the easy r200 swap but doesn't have the pockets in the floor for the retractable seat belts. Wether or not i have the better trans "71b" or not is inmaterial because i am putting the BW 5 speed in. I know mine is the best year because it's the one i own !!

[richard1]

Carl,I am not an expert but I agree with you.

Way back in 1974, my wife bought a used 70 z. At the time we were living in Quebec. The car was a nightmare to live with: Frame rust, hatch hinges broken, carbs, brakes......

To set-up the lawsuit, Nissan Canada gave us a big discount for a 710 Coupe that have been our main car for four years without problems.

The 72 I bought from a museum in 2001 was a more civilized machine and with better quality controls about the frame rails that were so prone to corrosion. The car was so original that the black spray quality control ckeck marks were still on the frame and front radiator frame assembly.

It is always a pleasure to drive this car anytime I can as a full stock version down to the hubcaps..... mainly original orange paint.

[ZYAL8R]

Is the 72 that much heavier than the early cars?

[240znz]

Is the 72 that much heavier than the early cars?

Some web sites state that the series 1 was 200lbs lighter than later models of the 240z.

The series 1 had slightly thinner sheet metal and the lack of steel about the top of the B pillar meant that the lead filled seam where the roof meets the hatch cracked. Mine has classic signs of this and I will be adding just a wee bit more steel to stop it happening again.

So which is best? I'd point to the early VINs first then a rust free any year model a very close second.