From the Archive: The popular Z-car is comprehensively upgraded, although emissions take a toll.
Handling is at the top of the 1974's improvement list. In the past, directional stability at highway speeds had been the Datsun's weak suit: Pre-'74 Z-cars wandered down a windy freeway as if they were piloted by inebriates. The problem centered around a complicated interaction of aerodynamics, steering geometry, and rubber bushings locating the steering rack. For the solution, Datsun has taken no small pains.
Spring rates are higher at both ends of the car largely to accommodate the extra weight of fortified bumpers and factory air conditioning. Since that weight has favored the front end, there is a built-in tendency toward understeer. But Datsun engineers have wisely side-stepped that bed of quicksand by adding a rear anti-roll bar as standard equipment. It shifts roll stiffness to the rear of the car to counteract the negative handling influence of a heavier front end.
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