There's no question about it: If you want to blow minds with a vintage sports car, a classic Ferrari, a Porsche, and even a Mustang are all surefire ways to do just that. And Lord knows we here at GQ Style love those cars. But if you want to blow the right minds—the connoisseurs, gearheads, speed freaks, and taste gods—it's all about the early-'70s Datsun 240Zs right now. These Japanese marvels of mechanical engineering entered the American market as reliable, affordable, high-performance alternatives to the European imports that dominated when it came to exotic horsepower. And despite several decades of ripping up the roads (and being made of some highly rust-prone steel), many of them have survived and remain worthy rivals to their more popular (and far more expensive) Western counterparts. Thanks to that and the laws of scarcity, they're hotter now than ever, and those who truly get it are rabid for them. Here, in the words of some of the most obsessed and lead-footed among them, is the story of the incredible Z-car.

Carl Beck (collector; owns three 240Zs—two original 1972s and the 1973 Pete Brock raced in Baja that same year): I was driving a Porsche, and I passed the Datsun dealership, and they had a 240Z sitting in the showroom. I saw it, and thought, Gee, what was that? I turned around and went back. Long story short, after a prolonged test-drive that evening, I bought it. The dealer couldn't take the Porsche on trade. It was worth too much. He would have had to give me money!

Rich Scharf (collector, restorer; owns four 240Zs, from 1970, '71, '72, and '74): My 1970 is my dad's original. I was 9 years old the day he brought it home brand new. I remember that moment. It was always the coolest car. He wouldn't let me touch it.

Chris Karl (collector; executive director, Z-Car Club Association): Delivered pizza. Saved up money. Mom helped me on the down payment. I paid her right back when I got paid. Champagne gold, five-speed, red velour interior of the time—not exactly tasteful. Every date I had thought it was a Porsche.

Scharf: It's that long front end that's very attractive. A lot of people say it was based off of the Ferrari, the 250 GT Ferrari. A lot of people said it looked like the Jaguar E-type. It's a head-turner.

Beck: I think the thing that makes the 240Z, gives it its longevity, is it moves from one generation to the next because it's a beautiful car. It was and still is a classic design. Coke-bottle shape, you know, long nose, short deck. A real art piece. It draws a crowd almost anywhere you stop.