The 240Z was wildly successful, with over 160,000 units sold in America alone, and Nissan quickly followed the first-generation car up with the mechanically-similar 260Z and 280Z.
Unveiled in 1970, the Cherry was Datsun’s first front-wheel drive car and a continuation of a project that Prince had worked on before Nissan’s takeover in 1966.
The car sold well in Europe and survived several generations. Although economical, affordable, and dependable, the Cherry picked up a reputation as a rather boring car.
Before the launch of the 240Z solidified Datsun’s name as a serious player, the 510 proved the manufacturer could make a sports sedan that could compete with America’s best.
The first Nissan Silvia was initially called the Datsun Coupe 1500 when it was revealed in 1964, but the badge was eventually changed to Nissan when it launched.