Car Model History

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

1972Nissan 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)

1972 Datsun 240Z (S30) — front three-quarter view

Photo: “1972 Datsun 240-Z, front right (2022 Ellwood City Fall Fest & Car Cruise)” by MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1972 Nissan Z model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1972 Z

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

2factory 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.

2versions shown
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

Datsun 240Z Manual

Body
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

Datsun 240Z Automatic

Body
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six
Gearbox
3-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1972 model year

Overview

Preserved Datsun/Nissan U.S. factory literature documents 2 1972 Z configuration rows across 1 body and powertrain combinations. This S30 roster keeps two-seat, 2+2, naturally aspirated, turbo, and transmission applicability within their exact model-year boundaries.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six
Transmissions
4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Body styles
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

Year over year

What changed

  • The 1972 record includes only the body, engine, and transmission pairings supported by that model year's factory evidence; adjacent-year combinations and appearance packages are not inferred.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The documented lineup exposes 2 source-backed configurations without turning standalone options into separate Z models.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Verify chassis code, engine, transmission, emissions equipment, and production date before ordering parts. Inspect rust and prior structural repair, cooling and fuel systems, timing-drive history where applicable, turbocharger condition on forced-induction cars, and modification quality.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1972 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 1972 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
2
Factory intervals
1
Fitment-scoped
2
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify 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.

  • Positive crankcase ventilation valve

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1972 · 2.4-liter L24 carbureted inline-six · United States · The free archive's page 33 establishes this PCV duty. Its full-file host was under maintenance when checked, so no other interval is inferred from a neighboring year.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 38,000 km / 24 months · Replace; inspect the valve, hoses, and piping every 12,000 miles / 12 months.

    Source: Datsun — 1972 240Z U.S. owner's manual, air-pollution-control maintenance · Owner's manual p. 33 — PCV-valve replacement and inspection paragraph · checked

  • Engine oil and fuel filters — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Baldwin B120 / Baldwin BF928

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish service intervals or a complete maintenance schedule.

    Applies to: 1972 · L24 · United States · Baldwin's pre-1980 Nissan table identifies the 240Z 2393cc carbureted application. Confirm the installed L24 engine, filter dimensions, and fuel-line fittings before ordering.

    Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 710, Nissan 1972 240Z 6-2393cc (2.4L) Carb. row · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

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

Sources

  1. Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A. — 1971 Datsun 240-Z sales brochure
  2. Nissan S30 U.S. transmission applicability record

Other First generation years

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

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