We made the cover!!

[mmagnus]

As a former Limey now living in the US, I like to subscribe to European magazines. One of my favorites is "Classiccars" magazine from the UK. For the month of January 04 they have decided to honor the 240Z as the featured car and for its cover. This is an amazing thing when you consider some of the cars that have been on this cover for the last 30 years. Ferraris, Jags, Aston Martins, etc.

There is a great article about when they took the Z around London with the badges covered and most of the brits thought it was either a Jag, Porsche or in some cases thought it was an early Ferrari. Pretty funny! Either way the magazine spoke very highly of our beloved Z (why wouldnt they). Check it out on their website

http://www.classiccarsmagazine.co.uk/nav?page=classiccars

[turbo240]

i read that article the other day at tower records, very interesting. i was glad to see the z get recognition like that

[Mike]

Nice! Where can I get a copy here in Oregon?

[mmagnus]

I first picked up a copy at an airport magazine shop. Usually W.H.Smiths. May also have a decent book store. You can subscribe online also.

Enjoy

Mark

[Dazza]

It is great to see the 240Z getting featured on the cover page.

Just for info: The following U.K. magazines have also done articles on the 240Z.

Thoroughbred and Classic Cars: April 2000: "Datsun 240Z - The Japanese sports car with desirability that defies it's badge".

Practical Classics: May 1999: 240Z, 260Z, 280Z - "Datsun 260Z - Orient Express".

Practical Classics: December 1994: Datsun 240Z's 25th Birthday".

[Dazza]

Oh, and another one,

Classic and Sports Car: January 1984: "Datsun 240Z - Japan's First Classic".

[v12horse]

I read the artlicle of the 240z in the classiccar mag today. I found it rather offensive towards the Z to say the least.

First of all, the writers went around with this beautiful Z that had the badges taped up and asked people that knew only that a car had four wheels, a few seats, and an engine what they thought of the car. Of course they are going to say something exotic like a Ferrari or a Jag. What they should have done is asked car enthusiasts what they thought of the car compared to other sports cars of the era.

Then they had to say that the car was designed by Goertz, the BMW guy. He had less to do with the Z than many think. Nissan put the idea of a sports car on the table in the mid 60's. Goertz designed a car for them, but it never was produced due to how expensive it would be to produce. Matsuo and his team of designers are who should be credited for the design of the Z, not Goertz. Also, many people that do not know much about the Z think that the car is so european. It definately has european influence, but the car is pure Japanese, and I think that is why we all love it whether we know it or not. Its sporty, compact, ergonomical, reliable. etc. Many things european cars of the time did not consist of.

The article also talked about how it looked like a million dollars, but did not perform as well as its competitors. Duh, compare it to an e-type or a 365gtb and of course it will be left in the dust. But, compare it to a 911, gt6, mgb, healey, and it will be at the top of its class.

All in all, bad article, great pictures of a Z with nice minilite wheels. I don't think that the writers meant wrong when writing the article, but I feel that their information was false. I am not trying to burst anyone's bubble, just laying out my opinion.

Regards,

Ben

[datto_240z]

Ben,

You say a 240z would be left in the dust of an E-type Jag. The 240z's performace spec.'s are better, if anything, then the E-types.

1969 240z 1969 E-Type coupe

Top spd. 201km/ph 191km/ph

0-100km/h 8sec 8sec

not very convincing but i couldn't find the 240z's 1/4 mile.

:tapemouth

Cheers

Chris Beattie

[Zrush]

BMW stands for Big Money Wasted, IMOLOL

[kmack]

I tried to find the article on their website....no dice. COuldn't find anything about it. Am I missing something?

[mmagnus]

Hey Ben,

Your are right you are entitled to your opinion and you make some valid points, but I think you are missing the point of the article. The point the writer was making is that most people wouldnt think of this design to be a great sports car without the fancy badge. Of course they wouldnt take it to "car enthusiasts" as they know what it is. Again, that is missing the point. All in all I felt that they proved a very valid point. People get caught up in name plates and badges. If that wasnt the case, Nissan would of never of discontued the 300ZX in 1996. Even though the 300ZX could out perform many BMW's etc, they couldnt justify the price to the public. The same holds true for the new 350Z. How many of them do you see on the road compared to new BMW's. I can tell you in California, its definately no comparison. And as a final note, I cant buy into the fact you feel this car looks Japanese. What other car in the early '70s look like the 240Z and was made in Japan. None that I can think of but I can think of several european models that it takes after. Especially the engine!

No offense, but this is my opinion.

[Zrush]

Most import (Japanese) cars of the early 70's were "shoe boxes". The Z design blew the market away with its stylish body lines. I remember it was called the poor mans Corvette.