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Automotive Lifestyle
VINTAGE: Z Fans Partying In Nashville
40th anniversary of 240Z celebrated at Datsun/Nissan enthusiasts' annual convention.
SPEED Staff  |  Posted July 30, 2010   Nashville, TN
The Datsun 240Z, a smash hit in its day, is revered today for its clean, purposeful design and strong performance. (Photo: Classic Motorsports)
Hundreds of Nissan Z enthusiasts are descending on Nashville, Tenn., this week to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the original Datsun 240Z.

The 23rd annual International Z Car Convention runs from July 28th through August 1st, with a car show Saturday on the front lawn of Nissan North America’s recently opened headquarters building in Franklin, Tennessee.

Convention events include a Z Cruise to the Jack Daniel’s Distillery, motorsports activities at Nashville Super Speedway, and tours of downtown Nashville and Nissan’s Smyrna, Tenn. manufacturing facility.

The 240Z is being recognized as a bona fide collector car; this example with custom wheels and tires sold for more than $14,000 at Barrett-Jackson's recent Orange County auction. (Photo: Barrett-Jackson)
A number of former Z racers will also be on hand, including John Morton, Peter Brock and Steve Millen.

Yutaka Katayama, or “Mr. K,” as he is affectionately known around the world, as well as “the father of the Z,” will appear by live video feed from Japan during the convention’s closing banquet. Mr. K celebrated his 100th birthday in late 2009.

“The Z® is so much a part of our company’s heritage and soul. We’re reminded at events like this that we must never forget the car and the racers that helped put Nissan on the map in North America,” said Jon Brancheau, vice president of Nissan Marketing.

In addition to the hundreds of privately owned Z cars, ranging from the early 240Z models through the latest 370Z, a number of well-known Z race cars will be on display, among them Millen’s IMSA GTS Championship 300ZX and a replica of the John Morton-driven 1970-71 SCCA Championship Brock Racing Enterprises 240Z.

Another famous vehicle on display will be Datsun 240Z Serial Number 006, the very first Z imported to the United States. This vehicle was the original display vehicle at the New York Auto Show in the fall of 1969 and was damaged when one of the attending models sat on the roof. The car was later shipped to Bob Sharp Racing where it had a long and successful racing career.

The full complement of current Nissan Z®s will also be on hand, including the 370Z Coupe and 370Z Roadster and the 350-horsepower NISMO 370Z. Nissan will also debut the redesigned 2011 Nissan Rogue crossover SUV at the event.

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