Kyosho Nissan Fairlady Z-L/Datsun 240Z

Newest Z replica recalls 20 years of greatness

- BILL BENNETT

It’s been about 20 years since Kyosho first decided to make a 1:18 scale diecast of Datsun’s 240Z. When the real car was first introduced, it set the automotive world ablaze. Anybody who could accept the limitations of driving a two-seat sports car wanted to have one. It was beautiful with shapely lines and a wind-cutting profile and layout similar to the Jaguar XKE, it offered solid performance but was reasonably priced. Many young adults (and some not so young) got in line to buy a Z. Kyosho’s rendition of the first-generation Z was beautifully executed. The shape and stance were spot-on 20 years ago, and they still are. Just recently Kyosho has released an updated version using the same casting, which goes to show just how ahead of its time that original model was. I would call it a 5-millimeter car; you could be that close and it still looks good. On the outside, the detail is all there. The car’s windows are completely glazed and crystal clear, and the rear hatch window has painted-on defroster strips. The side marker lights have little chromed bezels, and the little vents below the hatch window are photoetched. My original silver US-spec (left-hand-drive) Z sports a blue and gold California license plate that reads “71 240Z”, informing us of both the year and the American model name. The new release is a 1970 right-hand-drive car and carries a display plate announcing the Japanese domestic market (JDM) designation “Fairlady Z”. This version is quite similar to a version from a few years back that Kyosho called the “Street Sports” and it has a few other JDM features like the fender mounted mirrors (which I dislike!), and the more streamlined bumpers without the vertical bars (which I very much like!). There is also an aftermarket front air dam and rear ducktail spoiler that are reminiscent of the Z race cars which hold a special place in my heart (see BRE sidebar.)