The Datsun/Nissan Z Series
Created | Updated Sep 21, 2005
Begun in the 1960's1, and thanks to Yutaka Katayama 2, the Z line of cars was quite an addition to automotive history.
A few of the influences:
..Jaguar XKE
..Porsche 911
..Toyota 2000GT
The Datsun Z series was acquired by Nissan in 19833, and one will find a short series of years with both names on the vehicles.
A few key important years.
1968 : The Z car makes its presence known with a Datsun 1970 model.
1973 : Datsun makes its 1 millionth vehicle sale in the United States.
1975 : Datsun firms its sales in becoming the top-selling import brand.
A breakdown of Z models:
1969-1974 240Z4 (Datsun)
1974-1979 260Z (Datsun)
1979-1981 280Z (Datsun)
1981-1983 280ZX (Datsun, and later Datsun by Nissan)
1983-1989 300ZX early5 (Nissan)
1990-19966 300ZX late7 (Nissan)
Discontinued.
2003-???? 350Z re-issued. (Nissan)
--awaiting further updates8--
11966 was a key year, as the Datsun developers found a market for a GT car.2Known to Z-fans as Mr. K.3In this year, Nissan's Tennessee plant began producing the first Datsun/Nissan banner labelled truck. All Datsun's soon followed.4Naming the Zs: This goes by engine size. 240--> 2.4 Liter engine. Later models changed names due partly to increased engine sizes.5The major Body difference between these 300ZXs is a large jump from the rounded, recessed headlight look with heavy Jaguar influences changes to a flat, "pop-up" headlight design, which came at a time to be competitive with other flat sports cars native to the US, such as the Corvette changing to a flat hood.6American's may recall a commercial on TV which sported a GI Joe look-a-like character speeding around in a miniature vehicle, and picking up a Barbie-like character from a dollhouse, much to Ken's dismay. The background score was Van Halen's "You Really Got Me." This was a Nissan commercial for the 300ZX. Trivia: In order for Nissan to get the rights for the song, they had to give each Van Halen member one of the cars. Three still have their cars, and one recently sold theirs in a fund-raising charity auction.7The Body difference again changes, this time rounding out the sharper corners, as well a major engine change, Nissan adapting to a V6, rather than its previous straight, or 'in-line 6' cylinders.8Thanks for your patience!
