Jay Leno’s modern-day Datsun 240Z

If you’re a fan of cars, you’ll probably know that Jay Leno is a BIG fan of cars. Now the American comedian and chat show host has been given the chance to envisage his ideal future incarnation of the classic Datsun 240Z.

“One week after the Americans walked on the moon the Japanese introduced this sports car,” says Leno. It wasn’t the first ever Japanese performance car, but “this one hit it right on the mark,” believes the star.

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“Price, performance, reliability – those are three things that made the 240Z.” He’s right. And he’s also right in suggesting Nissan need a modern version of that car.

Could it be Leno is closer to the truth than he realises? 2014 will mark the 80th anniversary of Nissan, with significant rumours that the Japanese firm will resurrect the 240Z for the occasion.

It already has the 370Z, but a lighter, less powerful two-seater, intent on chasing down the Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ, would certainly be an extremely interesting proposition.

Hence the intrigue surrounding Leno’s trip to a top secret Nissan design studio to offer his input on a modern day incarnation of the legendary Z car.

“The original is really timeless and a good looking design”, according to Leno, and he wanted to see what a future 240Z could look like.

After 10 minutes with a Nissan designer Leno was suitably impressed with the work:

“The basic shape is so pleasing. It’s fun to go back to the old style and shape and has been a very cool experience. But I could never draw like that. It takes an artist to draw like that.”

This hints that if Nissan were to release a modern reimagining of the 240Z for 2014 it could well echo the proportions of the original car. However, any new version would more than likely get a four-cylinder engine, rather than repeat the straight-six of the classic.

Power could therefore come from the firm’s existing 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol motor, with around 200hp on tap – a similar output to the jointly developed Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ.

We’ll be watching and waiting for more information, and will let you know as and when it comes.

Top 10: car mad celebrities – Jay Leno

On Bing: see images of Jay Leno’s car collection