Throwback Thursday 1972: Datsun 240Z vs Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV

"The 240Z has a very flat torque curve." we began. "It pulls very strongly throughout the rev range, whereas the GTV needs coaxing at the bottom.

"Seeing as power and weight are more or less equal, this makes the 240Z faster than the GTV – without ever scoring a runaway victory."

Indeed, in the 240Z, 0-60mph could be achieved in 8.0sec, while the GTV took 9.0sec.

The 240Z also had a redline of 7000rpm to the GTV's 6000rpm, so it could pull away thanks to its low-revs punch and the fact that less time was wasted through changing gear. Thus "the 240Z has the advantage for the lazy," we said, "and it pleases the enthusiast with its much higher intermediate maxima.

"The gearchanges themselves are both on the heavy sides, although totally different in character; the GTV has long movements in a smooth, well-defined gate, compared with the 240Z's shorter, vaguer shift."

Despite their differences, both cars achieved fuel consumption of between 23 and 24mpg.

We continued: "There is one fundamental difference between the two cars, and that is the weight distribution. The 240Z looks a nose-heavy beast, but that's because it has gained a long front through having its engine set well back. In fact, it has a weight distribution of 51/49. The GTV, on the other hand, comes in at 56/44.

"Among other things, this means that the 240Z can get away with higher-geared steering. The GTV's answer is to maintain its handling close to neutral, so that the driver doesn't have to indulge too much wheel-twirling except at low speeds. Considering the weight distribution, the fact that it does neutral-steer is a tribute to the cunning with which Alfa Romeo has tuned the chassis, using roll bars at each end. Especially with the extra power of the GTV, the limited slip differential is needed to maintain traction in situations where the inside rear wheel would otherwise lift and spin.

"The result is that the GTV is a very agile car on the open road and maintains its line very closely right up to the point where it runs out of roadholding and slithers sideways.

"The 240Z's handling is also close to neutral, but naturally so because of its weight distribution and suspension geometry. The use of MacPherson struts means that the roll axis is virtually level, and quite high. Otherwise, the 240Z's behaviour mirrors that of the GTV except that is better behaved over poor road surfaces because of its independent suspension. On a bumpy B-road, the GTV cannot stay with the 240Z if the latter is driven with determination, for this reason."

As for the brakes, the GTV had discs all round, while the Datsun had discs at the front and drums at the rear. Despite both being servo-assisted, they needed "a good deal of pedal pressure to stop quickly".

We continued: "Neither car suffers detectable fade even in hard driving, and the GTV's brakes in particular actually feel crisper when they're hot."

The 240Z was more softly sprung but more stiffly damped than the GTV, meaning the latter had the better low-speed ride. "The GTV's suspension is a good compromise over most surfaces," we said. "The 240Z, on the other hand, improves at high speed and gives a very comfortable motorway ride. It copes a great deal better with poor surfaces when travelling fast".

Both cars had negligible wind noise up to about 80mph, while the GTV had the nicer engine noise, with a "lively and distinctive bark" to the 240Z's "flatter, mechanical sound".

Inside, the GTV had "among the best seats fitted to any production car", offering great support, although its pedals were awkwardly placed. The 240Z's seats, meanwhile, were "comfortable and well-shaped". Both cars were comprehensively equipped, while the GTV had the bonus of two occasional rear seats.

As for which car was better, Autocar's testers, Jeffrey Daniels and Ray Hutton couldn't quite come to an agreement.

"These are two very similar cars with very different characters," Daniels said. "The trouble is that they're both very attractive characters in their own way, making a choice between them an agonising business.

"The GTV is the thoroughbred; the way it responds to the accelerator, brakes and steering almost put it in a class by itself. And it's surprisingly comfortable, even for my 6ft 1in. It's a car that repays driving skill and subtlety; there must be people driving Alfa Romeos who simply don't know how to get the best out of them.