Dare to Be Different in a Datsun 240Z

Owner Dave Scholz, shares his connection with a Japanese cult classic that could easily be regarded as the 911 of Japan. Its iconic beauty, modular mechanics, and desirability inspired Dave to heed to Datsun's famous racing campaign of the '70s, "Dare to be different."

American heads spun when the 1970s ultimately snuffed out their beloved horsepower-drunk muscle cars. As the world watched them squirm for performance, Japan was busy developing the 240Z to bring a new thrill to American roads using balance, harmony, and technology.

"Datsun didn't invent the overhead cam engine, or disc brakes, or independent suspension but it has a habit of incorporating these sophisticated systems into brilliantly conceived and easily affordable cars." (Car and Driver; June, 1970)







Drive Tastefully®

[mzondi]

I come back once a month just for the beautiful sound the car makes

[marspa]

This was the first video by Petrolicious I watched and I was 15 at the time. I started saving money and looked basically over the whole US on craigslist. A couple weeks ago I found the perfect Z down in Tennessee and had it shipped up. 2 years of saving and now I have an awesome 78 Black Pearl.

[mzondi]

Hard to believe it's been 8 years but I still come back to listen

[mzondi]

Still watching this video 5 years later. This is why you don't put an LS in a Datsun this sounds so fantastic

[Thughes]

7 years later.. Because of this video, I finally own a 240z. I still watch this video regularly

[chrislaswell]

a year ago I watched this video and I wanted a Z more than anything. This vid lit some kind of hellacious fire under my ass and I set out to find one. After about 6 months I found one. 1977 z in 411 yellow.... I'm a broke college kid and ended up selling my 2001 Jetta and took the money to buy the z.... and I've never looked back since. Thank you Dave for causing me to make one of the best decisions I've ever made. 

[AmericanInAustria]

Still monkeying around with this car and loving it! Hello there 1M views, kinda cool! 👌

[jefflatker]

I had a Rebello powered '74.5 260Z as my daily driver from 1987-1993. Widened, lowered, well over 300 HP, and insanely fun to drive. I come back to this youtube video from time to time to wax nostalgic and remember when all I had to do was walk out to the driveway if I wanted to hear this sound. The owner in the video's description of the lag below 5000 rpm is spot on, the backfire and flame throwing is also accurate. Irrespective of the sound, the thing I miss the most is getting in, turning the key and driving off in the morning. Even if work sucked, driving that car was a daily pleasure that I never took for granted. I lived in a condo complex and would get notes on my windshield from time to time from my neighbors who didn't appreciate their 5:30 am wakeup every weekday. Funny, none of them ever complained to me in person on Saturday or Sunday. I wonder why? For some reason, I have no pictures of the car, so all I have left are the memories, this video and the license plate I am looking at: Virginia - 1 QuickZ.

[grantsewellaustin]

I remember messaging Dave on Instagram back in 2014 after buying my first 280z. We kept up here and there on social media. Years later on a whim, I told him I’d be making a road trip out to so-cal with a dear friend of mine. On a perfect summer day in 2019 we drove up his driveway and he met us with a couple of cold Lacroixs and showed us his Z. To make it even better he offered to take me on a spin around the block. He ended up pulling off and tossing me the keys to drive it back. I reminisce now back to that day. Dave is such a cool guy and yes - the emotions you feel watching this video are 10x more enhanced experiencing it in person. One of my favorite memories.

[ricksays]

There is nothing like an old sportscar.  It truly makes someone alive when they drive one with the smell of petrol, the looks of the car, the feel of its handling and speed, and the noise.  Whether it is a muscle car, an old japanese or european sports car, these type of cars are timeless.

[Celicarz]

That exhaust sound is perfect...one of the best vintage 6 cylinder sounds I`ve ever heard!!! Amazing car dude!!!

[FixingWithFriends]

My great aunt used to do costume design in Hollywood back in the '60s & 70's.

Back when they came out she had a choice between the 240Z and a Porsche. She chose the 240Z (It's not what I would have done, but It's not like either is a bad choice ). Pushing 100 years old and she still raves about it. To this day, whenever I visit the first things she wants to know ishow my car (280Z) is doing.

Not many cars these days inspire that level of passion.

[PeloMR]

Absolutely stunning! This car is just loaded with style and character.

[enthusiastjunkies]

Still have my 240z and just bought some triple mukuni carbs for it yesterday.. i used to watch this video all the time. That sound and look is absolutely timeless at this point. Enjoy them while they are here ...

[erinboatguy]

I built a wicked 72 240z back in 1990 I pulled the tired 240 out and put in a built 280ZX motor with carbs. I fully polished everything on that engine. I spent an entire summer doing the bodywork and paint. I put on a real nice body kit from the Z shop in Orange California. I made a awesome custom grill and put on headlight covers. I had a smoke peal yellow PPG custom color mixed by Stan Betz a famous hotrod paint mixer guy. I shot it my self with with ghosted flames on the hood and fenders and when the hood opened they continued down on the inner fender wells. I also shot the same scheme on my jet ski to match. Paint job was flawless took the car to Boyds hotrods and they said it was the best paint job they had ever seen. Car would top out at 138 MPH on the freeway and to me at age 21 that was amazing. I kept the automatic transmission in it as it had a over ride switch under the gas pedal that made it shift at redline that made that car a mustang killer. Big second gear chirp G ride. I really regret selling that one....I went into vintage 912 Porsches after the Z days. Lots of hot steamy lovers lane makeout seasons in that beast with my little hot blonde girlfriend back then. Plush tan sheepskin seat covers a good heater and 1000 watt Alpine system with 2 12 inch Pyle driver Pro woofers that put out massive bass in a custom box I made. I was a legend.

[ozziewaldo]

Found this video around my junior year(2015) of HS and fell in love with the 240. Years later in 2024 I was able to buy my 73 240z. Life really is a dream

[shahram]

Video brought a tear to my eye. This was my first car. I loved it. Yours is so awesome and the sound is magical. I would love to just sit in it and feel 18 again.

[anaqibuilders]

After 9 years later...I'm still watching this video and listen to this 240z sound over and over again 🥰

[markwoodrow]

I've lost count how many times I've come back here to watch this video. Simply stunning....

[adrianweglarz]

I’m good friends with Dave and he still has this Z in his possession. My true inspiration is this video to get my 240Z done one day