Datsun 240Z WRC Rally History
Datsun was founded in 1914 (some 20-years before Toyota) and is the oldest Japanese car manufacturer.
![Datsun 240Z](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_1024,h_768/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Datsun-240Z-rally-3.jpeg)
Datsun was the first Japanese car manufacturer to come out with a true in house rally program which started back in 1969. Datsun’s Japanese headquarters saw from the start there was a huge marketing potential in rallying and their main attention was always to race in specific events which was the rally races in Monte Carlo and the the African Safari.
![Datsun 240Z](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_849,h_545/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Datsun-240Z-rally.png)
The first Datsun 1600SSS (the 510 model) was a simple, saloon car which were simple and robust and hugely successful in Africa, which was the type of events the Datsun 510 was aimed at. Later, Datsun launched the Fairlady 240Z, a 6-cylinder sports coupé that was aimed for Rallye Monte Carlo success. But the 240Z was big and it was never successful in both rallies.
![](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_650,h_85/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/BHP-Infiniti-Thematic_Web-Banner_DSF_ENG_650x85_FA.jpg)
Today, as a road going car it is an appreciating asset and much sought after by car collectors around the world.
![Datsun 240Z](https://sp-ao.shortpixel.ai/client/to_webp,q_glossy,ret_img,w_1024,h_768/https://www.dsf.my/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Datsun-240Z-rally-2.jpeg)