There’s a new Z car in the latest F&F franchise, Fast X, and it’s the Datsun 240Z, the car that kickstarted the Nissan Z dream car craze. We first saw the Z car in the F&F franchise when both Takashi and Morimoto race their respective Nissan Fairlady Z, aka the 350Z in Tokyo Drift. In the latest Fast X trailer, there’s a yellow Datsun 240Z and there’s particular importance given to the car, given that it’s most likely driven by a new cast member with a major link to Dominic Toretto’s past. Daniela Melchior plays the unnamed character, last seen as Ratcatcher 2 in The Suicide Squad and the bright yellow Datsun 240Z looks like the perfect classic dream car, even as we see it crash in the trailer.
Given that this is Part One of Fast X, likely to be the penultimate movie of the franchise, or so tired fans hope, there will be tons of dream cars featured in the movie from modern marvels to classic rides. The 1970s Datsun 240Z is a true classic, and as a yellow widebody, it’s what restomod dream cars stand for…
The Datsun 240Z’s Punchy Engine Kickstarted The Z-Dream Car Craze
Nissan brought the Datsun 240Z to America in 1969, and this “personal GT car”, as the Japanese automaker described it, thrived despite the muscle car-killing malaise era. By 1972, this Japanese sports car was something everyone wanted, given that the inline-six mill could haul the 2,302-pound body to a top speed of 125 mph, letting it zip 0-to-60 mph in just 8.0 seconds. Its 2.4-liter inline-6 engine jetted 151 horses at 5,600 RPM and 146 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 RPM, not bad for the price tag of $3,600. This same engine drove the Datsun 240Z to success from 1969 to 1973, and sales doubled between 1970 and 1971.
It came with a beefy suspension, drove confidently, and came with a 4-speed manual transmission or a 3-speed automatic one. One of the things that made its engine rather unique, was that its intake and exhaust manifolds co-existed on the same side, which added to its quirks but detracted nothing from its driving ability. All this and more helped establish the 1970s Datsun 240Z as a sports car icon, translating to a classic dream car today.
The Datsun 240Z Makes An Impressive Debut In Fast X
Not much of the movie is visible from the trailer, but Fast X promises to be a surfeit of fast cars, heavy action, plenty of “family” dialogues from the car-crazy Vin Diesel, and some stunts that belong to DC/MCU.
Motorcycle-loving Jason Momoa, aka Dante, is out for Dominic Toretto’s blood and one of the links to his past seems to be a hitherto unnamed character (enter Daniela Melchior), whom we can see in a bright yellow Datsun 240Z. This classic dream car looks to be part of a significant “race”, and although we don’t see the car fully with Melchior behind the steering, there’s enough to make the same out.
We also see the car seemingly crash, an accident caused by the villain of the day, Momoa. As is with any car from F&F, once the popularity of the movie soars, so does the demand for that car. With a bright and visible yellow Datsun 240Z as one of the hero cars of Fast X, the demand for this Japanese classic is likely to soon shoot, especially when Melchior’s character and storyline become public.
Here’s a sneak peek from Melchior herself:
This Japanese Classic Is An Affordable Dream Car
For now, the 1970s Datsun 240Z might be the dream car of some, but the prices are not something you need to break the bank over. You may also get the Datsun 240Z as a JDM, with a five-speed manual transmission never available to the American public.
As is with all Japanese classics, it’s a very buildable dream car, meaning there’s a lot you can do with it, to it, and on it, much like the turbocharger we can see popping out of the Fast X Datsun 240Z. In the movie, it’s a stunning widebody, and according to media reports, someone spotted two Datsun 240Z at LAX, one being the hero car and the other the stunt model. Notice the fender mirrors?
If you want to cash on the Fast X Datsun 240Z, know that you can get a project model for as low as $5,000, although decent running ones will cost you around $30,000-40,000. Mint condition Datsun 240Z models can top $60,000 with some even touching the six-figure mark, although the latter are few and far between.
Overall, this Japanese classic is a dream car for many, and given the stunning looks of the yellow widebody Datsun 240Z in the Fast X trailer, we are lining up for one too!
Source: YouTube channel The Fast Saga, drive.com.au, Hemmings