Photo 15 -- Nissan 350Z

Like the Ford Mustang, the Nissan Z (formerly Datsun in North America) has a long and storied history. But unlike the Ford, the Z was not continuously sold in the U.S., on a hiatus between 1996 and 2003. The original 1970 Datsun 240Z was a smash hit in the United States thanks to its beautiful body, torquey inline six-cylinder engine, and snug two-seater configuration. When Nissan set out to create this latest Z-car, the philosophy of the original was more important than its appearance, resulting on one of the loosest interpretations of what’s considered retro-modern design. Like the original 240Z, today’s 350Z is a lightweight two-seater with a hatchback, a torquey six-cylinder engine, and rear wheel drive. There are even hints of the original in the hood detailing, the headlamps, and the ancillary gauges. But today’s car is a thoroughly modern automobile, and enjoys the same level of sales success and owner fanaticism as the original.