Datsun 240Z / Nissan Z

The 240Z arrived in 1969 (known as the Fairlady Z in Japan) with an inline-six engine, rear-wheel drive and a long-hood silhouette inspired by the European sports cars of the era, at a fraction of the price of a Jaguar E-Type or Porsche 911. It was an immediate hit in the United States, which became the Z lineage's main market for decades.

The following generations (260Z, 280Z, 280ZX, 300ZX) grew larger and more comfortable through the 1970s and 80s, drifting somewhat from the lean spirit of the original 240Z. Nissan paused the line between 1996 and 2002, when the 350Z brought the name back with a proposal closer to the pure sports car that started the lineage.

The 370Z ran from 2009 to 2020, and in 2023 Nissan launched the sixth generation, named simply Z, dropping the number as a direct nod to the original 240Z: a twin-turbo V6, styling that blends cues from several past generations, and a clear intent to reconnect with the lineage's history.

• In Japan the car was always called Fairlady Z; "240Z" was the export name, mainly used in the United States.
• The 240Z is often credited as the car that opened the American market to Japanese sports cars.
• Nissan paused the line between 1996 and 2002, before reviving it with the 350Z.
• The current generation (2023) is named simply "Z," with no number, a direct reference to the original 240Z.