First generation · S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) · 1970–1978

1970Nissan Z


The original Z — sold in the US as the Datsun 240Z (1970–1973, 2.4L L24 six), then 260Z (1974, 2.6L, added a 2+2) and 280Z (1975–1978, 2.8L fuel-injected). A long-hood fastback that made affordable performance a mainstream idea.

First generation · S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z)

1970 Datsun 240Z (S30) — front three-quarter view

Photo: “1970 Nissan Fairlady Z-L” by TTTNIS / Wikimedia Commons — CC0 1.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Quick facts

Engines
1offered2.4L L24 inline-six (twin SU-type carburetors)
Top output
151hp2.4L L24 inline-six (twin SU-type carburetors)

Body stylesCoupe (2-seat fastback)

The 1970 model year

Overview

The Datsun 240Z launched in the US in late 1969 as a 1970 model and was an instant phenomenon: a long-hood, fastback sports coupe with an inline-six, independent suspension, and styling that rivaled far costlier European GTs, all at an accessible price. It reset expectations for Japanese performance cars in America.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.4L L24 inline-six (twin SU-type carburetors)151 hp
Body styles
Coupe (2-seat fastback)

Year over year

What changed

  • US launch of the Datsun 240Z as a 1970 model.
  • Long-hood fastback with the 2.4L L24 inline-six and four-wheel independent suspension.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The original Z — the car that made affordable Japanese performance mainstream in the US.
  • Sold as a Datsun; the Nissan name came later.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Rust (rear arches, floors, frame rails) is the chief concern on survivors; mechanically the L-series six is robust.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1970 Z on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1970 Nissan Z. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
6
Scheduled topics
6
Applicability stated
6
Exact references
2

Before ordering Identify your engine, options and build date. Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oilView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1970 · 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six · United States · The Nissan factory engine manual explicitly identifies the HLS30-U Datsun 240Z and L24 (SU-carburetor) engine but is undated; this is an engine-and-model-scoped factory table, not a claim that every chassis/body duty is shown.

    Published interval: 3,000 mi / 4,800 km · Factory engine maintenance table.

    Source: Nissan Motor Co. — Datsun 240Z HLS30-U L24 factory engine maintenance table · Engine General p. EG-7 — change engine oil every 3,000 miles · checked

  • Engine oil filterView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine oil filter

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1970 · 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six · United States · The Nissan factory engine manual explicitly identifies the HLS30-U Datsun 240Z and L24 (SU-carburetor) engine but is undated; this is an engine-and-model-scoped factory table, not a claim that every chassis/body duty is shown.

    Published interval: 6,000 mi / 10,000 km · Factory engine maintenance table.

    Source: Nissan Motor Co. — Datsun 240Z HLS30-U L24 factory engine maintenance table · Engine General p. EG-7 and Engine Tune-up p. ET-5 — replace oil filter every 6,000 miles · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Engine coolantView intervals, applicability and sources

    Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1970 · 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six · United States · The Nissan factory engine manual explicitly identifies the HLS30-U Datsun 240Z and L24 (SU-carburetor) engine but is undated; this is an engine-and-model-scoped factory table, not a claim that every chassis/body duty is shown.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 38,000 km · Factory engine maintenance table.

    Source: Nissan Motor Co. — Datsun 240Z HLS30-U L24 factory engine maintenance table · Engine General p. EG-7 — change cooling water at 24,000 miles · checked

  • Viscous-type air-cleaner elementView intervals, applicability and sources

    Viscous-type air-cleaner element

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1970 · 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six · United States · The Nissan factory engine manual explicitly identifies the HLS30-U Datsun 240Z and L24 (SU-carburetor) engine but is undated; this is an engine-and-model-scoped factory table, not a claim that every chassis/body duty is shown.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 38,000 km · Factory engine maintenance table.

    Source: Nissan Motor Co. — Datsun 240Z HLS30-U L24 factory engine maintenance table · Engine General p. EG-7 — change air-cleaner element at 24,000 miles · checked

  • Cartridge-type fuel strainerView intervals, applicability and sources

    Cartridge-type fuel strainer

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1970 · 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six · United States · The Nissan factory engine manual explicitly identifies the HLS30-U Datsun 240Z and L24 (SU-carburetor) engine but is undated; this is an engine-and-model-scoped factory table, not a claim that every chassis/body duty is shown.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 38,000 km · Factory engine maintenance table.

    Source: Nissan Motor Co. — Datsun 240Z HLS30-U L24 factory engine maintenance table · Engine General p. EG-7 — change cartridge-type fuel strainer at 24,000 miles · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Spark plugsView intervals, applicability and sources

    Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1970 · 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six · United States · The Nissan factory engine manual explicitly identifies the HLS30-U Datsun 240Z and L24 (SU-carburetor) engine but is undated; this is an engine-and-model-scoped factory table, not a claim that every chassis/body duty is shown.

    Published interval: 12,000 mi / 19,000 km · Factory engine maintenance table.

    Source: Nissan Motor Co. — Datsun 240Z HLS30-U L24 factory engine maintenance table · Engine General p. EG-7 — check at 6,000 miles and change at 12,000 miles · checked

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — "Nissan S30" (240Z/260Z/280Z)
  2. Wikipedia — "Nissan Z-car"
  3. Nissan USA — Heritage

Other First generation years

Explore the S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) generation →All First generation · S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) years →

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1970 Z

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

1factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

1versions shown
Browse 1 documented records — use the filters above to narrow the list

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