Nowadays, there is a renaissance of sorts for some cars which we grew up with - pinned to our walls and racing on our video games consoles – the classic names of the '90s are back with the Toyota Supra and Nissan Z-car.
Of course, these new cars are cutting edge in some ways, while retaining some style and gasoline technology associated with their '90s ancestors, but they are still conceived with our hearts in mind.
For some of us, only the original classics will do, and the namesake of the 2023 Nissan Z is the Datsun Z car.
We take a look at the second coming of the original Z-car, a car with many names and a short but interesting history, one that would go on to create the iconic Nissan 300ZX.
1979-1983 Nissan Datsun 280ZX
- Naturally aspirated, rear drive powertrain
- More refinement and features than past models
- Iconic styling looks like more exotic machinery
- Model: 280ZX
- Engine/Motor: 2.8-liter I6; 2.8-liter I6, turbocharged
- Horsepower: 135-180 hp
- Torque: 148-203 lb-ft
- Drivetrain: Front engine, RWD
- Transmission: 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
- Comfortable and reasonably fun drive
- Turns heads and stands out in 2022
- Prices are still attainable for the 280ZX
- Engine less impressive in naturally-aspirated form
- Not as sharp as first-generation Z-cars
The Datsun 280ZX Has A Familiar Friend Under Its Hood
The Datsun 280ZX is also referred to as the Nissan Fairlady Z and Nissan Fairlady 280Z in some parts but is essentially the North American version of the Nissan S130.
It is the second generation of the iconic ‘Z-car,’ taking over from the Nissan S30 which encompasses the original 240Z, 260Z and 280Z – it carries over the same basic engine as the last of the S30 cars, the 2.8-liter, straight six.
With fuel injection and either a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic gearbox, it made around 135 hp – 145 hp over its 4-year life cycle.
Due to emissions and fuel economy constraints it wasn’t the fastest coupe in a straight line and didn’t make more power until the turbo version arrived for the 1981 year – this would be a sign of things to come with the subsequent mighty Nissan 300ZX twin-turbo.
Making around 180 hp from a single Garret turbocharger, this gave the 280ZX something it lacked before, ample muscle to back up its exotic-looking style.
On The Road, The Datsun 280ZX Is A Different Story
For the new 280ZX, the big surprise was the redesign of the body, chassis and focus on the luxury aspect of the junior Japanese sports car – it was to be bigger, heavier, more comfortable and filled to the brim with more equipment and features.
This meant it wasn’t as agile and focused as the earlier Z cars, referenced in contemporary car reviews such as Car And Driver’s 1978 review of the Datsun 280ZX: “typical of luxury cars, the ZX is not very interested in hurrying around racetracks. By nature, the car under steers. Under power, it will widen the radius of a turn in direct proportion to how far the driver has opened the throttle.”
Due to its focus on comfort, it arguably handles worse than a Porsche 911 from the era, but more comfortable cruising at normal speeds.
With a new rear suspension setup and other changes below the familiar-looking car, it is wider in track and in width and length, too.
Style, Equipment, And Luxury For A Focused, Lightweight Sports Car
So the ethos of the Datsun 280ZX shifts considerably from its predecessor even though at first glance the car looks the same albeit with a nip and tuck here and there.
Its body is different and larger in most directions, but not by much – the familiar lights on the front and back give the impression that not much changes from the last generation.
Inside, the comfort, reduced road noise and slick gear shift bring pleasure to everyday driving and the list of features on the higher trim level is great for the time if not exciting-sounding today.
There was power steering, cruise control, electric windows, power mirrors, an upgraded stereo, a rear wiper and washer, and even a dual fuel gauge.
The idea of the dual fuel gauge is that the second gauge would provide a breakdown of just the last quarter of the fuel tank, in order to not get caught short on the road with no gas station in sight.
With a 2+2 option as well as the standard 2-seater, the 280ZX looks like it has all the makings of a great tourer offering style and comfort and even considerable performance in the turbo version.
How Much It Costs Today For A Slice Of '90s Japanese Sports Car Pleasure
Of course the Datsun 240-280Z and this subsequent 280ZX are now older, rarer and arguably more desirable through the clinical, efficiency-focused glass lenses of 2022. However, they’re not up there value-wise with the Porsches or Ferraris of the same era.
As they are less prestigious due to their provenance and less impressive powertrains, this second generation Z-car’s values are relatively low.
Over on Classic.com’s sales history aggregator, average auction and sales prices over the last 5 years sit at around $15,000 based on 115 sold cars.
That’s not bad, and the good news is that some are as low as $1,600 while the highest was only $56,000 for a late-model, manual car with 8,000 miles on the odometer and in great condition.
For the star Z-car of the era, the 280ZX Turbo and its 180 hp, the same aggregator lists a similar $15,000 average value for 32 sales over 5 years and the highest sale being $37,000.
Sometimes overshadowed by its more modern and advanced 300ZX successor, the Datsun 280ZX could be the sweet spot in the range and perhaps the last great example of how exotic a relatively affordable sports can be; until the 2023 Nissan Z made us fall in love all over again.