Is the 260Z the redheaded........

[daprezz]

Why so little about my beloved ''74 260Z model?

[Arne]

Several reasons. The first is obvious - not that many sold in that single year offered here in the USA, not compared to 240Zs and 280Zs. Also, some 240Z owners look down on them because they came with crappy carbs and bigger bumpers. But in reality, there were enough improvements in the rest of the car that once you deal with the carbs, a 260Z makes a great daily driver.

[geezer]

Ask some of the questions you have. Although information may be lacking in the archives of this site, there are a lot of knowledgable members that frequently read these posts. I might even be able to answer 1 or 2.

[280~Master]

I think there is only one reason the 260 sits where it does.

ONLY 1 YEAR OF PRODUCTION IN THE US.

We all know the 260 is a 280 with carbs and a smaller engine.

[=Enigma=]

It was only offered for one year here in the US with approx 41,000 units produced for sale in NA. It believe it was sold for a few more years in europe but I'm not up to speed on that info. That said, much of the info you'll find here applies all to Zs from 1970-78. Check www.zhome.com for historical info.

[hls30.com]

In the USA the 260Z was a transition car, the model that moved Z technology and DOT/Emmissions/performance standards from those of the '73 240Z to those of the '75 280Z-that one year saw all of the changes required by or resulting from the DOT mandated safety standards made. Some of the changes were more an attempt to recover the performance lost in the conforming to the more strict emissions standards.

The rght hand drive world did not get a 280Z, so in the most strict of standards, in the USA version 260z is the rarest model of the Left hand drive S30, the RLS30.

FYI, The red headed step child of the Z cars is actually the Z31...

Will