You know it’s a Z off a quick passing glance—elongated bodylines streamlining the road, hugging every turn with muscle and precision performance.

One of the most iconic cars from Nissan, and one could argue one of the most iconic sports cars around, is currently celebrating its 40^th birthday.

Hearkening back to the original 1970 240 Z with the Datsun marque, crafted with every detail in mind by Yoshihiko Matsuo, Chief of Design, to today’s sixth generation 370Z Roadster, this sports car has evolved into one of the best and most affordable around.

Sure, the Z jalopies are out there and still rolling on all four wheels, faded and cracked paint jobs a distant memory of several owners or just years of wear and tear. But take a look at a cherry job on say a 240Z or 280Z and it’s something out of a comic book.

The newer 370Z’s are nothing to scoff at either. Not only do these road sharks zip from 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds of quick time, but their quarter mile times make it the fastest 370Z in production.

The Z is an auto that truly revolutionized the sports car world. It was made to be practical without skipping a beat in regards to speed. The early models featured comfortable interior spacing, a big 6-cylinder engine, a sweet rolling dashboard to house its esoteric gauges and a bigger trunk area that threw consumers for a loop, prompting many to buy this beloved head-turner.

Nowadays you’ll still find elements of the old in the new, as the 370Z keeps a close tie to its predecessors.

So, drive on you Z enthusiasts and keep reveling in those passions that make this particular model so special!

Watch more about this enthralling vehicle here.