Several car manufacturers have maintained lucrative and remarkable sports car nameplates. From Ford's Mustang to Porsche's 911, some names have transcended the decades. Though the vast majority of legendary nameplates originated from Europe and North America, Japan also came up with some of the oldest names in the automotive industry.

RELATED: Here's How The Nissan Z Nameplate Evolved Over The Years

Nissan's Z-Series has been around for as long as people can remember. Originally sold under the brand Datsun, the Z-Series would eventually become entirely part of Nissan's lineup. The most popular Z-cars in recent history remain the 300ZX, the 350Z, and of course the Nissan 370Z. The 370Z is among the coolest Nissans ever made for numerous legitimate reasons.

10 Predecessor

Black 2003 Nissan 350Z Parked Outside
via Mecum

First released in 1969, the Z-Series was at the time incapable of rivaling the meanest muscle cars out there. The original Nissan 240Z came with a 2.0-liter inline-six engine that made only 130 hp. Things improved over time, and Z-Series cars from the subsequent decades were increasingly attractive. The car released right before the 370Z set the stage for the 370Z's success.

RELATED: Ranking The 10 Greatest Nissan Sports Cars Ever

Black 2003 Nissan 350Z Parked Outside
via Mecum

There are several things piston heads did not know about Nissan's Z cars before really looking into the legendary nameplate. The 370Z, for example, is the logical successor to the 350Z. The 350Z revived a dying nameplate. The last Z-Series car that truly caught the attention of piston heads globally was the twin-turbocharged 300ZX. The 300ZX was discontinued in 2000. It would take a little over two years for Nissan to release a new Z car.

9 First Year

2009 Nissan 370Z
Mecum Auctions

The market for new cars was far from being in its prime in 2009. Following the Great Recession, it had become tough for the majority of people to splurge on a brand-new sports car. Anything German was simply out of reach. High-end domestic muscle cars were not appropriate for anyone trying to recover financially from the economic downturn.

2009 Nissan 370Z Cropped
Via mecum.com

Cars such as the C63 AMG or Shelby GT500 may have been out of reach to gearheads affected by the economic crisis. The 350Z could have been a great fallback, however the 370Z was made available in 2009. While the 350Z was a great car all around, it was a bit rough around the edges. Nissan rectified that by adopting a much more fluid design. The curves of both cars may be similar, but the 370Z has a modern feel to it that the 350Z no longer has.

8 Masterpiece

2009 Nissan 370Z Engine 2 Cropped
Via mecum.com

Japanese automakers may not be known for their big engines. As a matter of fact, it is rare to stumble across V8-powered Japanese cars. With that said, most emblematic Japanese motors are small but pack an indecent amount of power. Names such as RB26DETT and 2JZ-GTE are very popular among true car fans globally.

2009 Nissan 370Z Engine Cropped
Via mecum.com

Being the logical evolution of the VQ35VHR, the VQ37VHR is better than its predecessor. The 3.7-liter V6 puts out 332 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque. In comparison, the unit found in the 350Z makes 306 hp and 268 lb-ft of torque. The extra power given to the 370Z made a huge difference. The VQ37VHR is one of the greatest Japanese engines ever produced.

7 Race Car Material

2011 Nissan 370Z 2 Cropped
Via mecum.com

The Z-Series was always built with one thing in mind: racing. Despite not being as outrageously expensive and fast as some vehicles coming out of Europe and North America, Z-Series cars are far from disappointing. In fact, when looking at the MSRP of the 370Z and the parts that come stock with the car, it is fair to say that buyers are getting way more bang for their buck.

RELATED: Here Are The Best And Worst Nissan Sports Cars Over The Years

2011 Nissan 370Z Cropped
Via mecum.com

The 370Z is not just another small Japanese car with a bit of power. The Touring package, for example, comes with 19" rims fitted with Bridgestone Potenza tires, sports brakes, and Nissan's SynchroRev Match feature. The suspension remains the same double-wishbone system. Needless to say, the 370Z is made to navigate curvy roads.

6 Drop Top

Black 2011 Nissan 370Z Touring Convertible in a garage
Mecum Auctions

Not everybody wants to drive aggressively on a racetrack. Some people enjoy driving cars that are decently powered and inspire youthfulness and freedom. The best option is usually a convertible car. Though not appropriate in states like Minnesota or Washington, convertibles are the name of the game in sunny states such as California or Florida.

2011 Nissan 370Z Touring Convertible 2 Cropped
Via mecum.com

The convertible version of the 370Z definitely deserves the Fairlady moniker. Even if the 370Z Roadster seems more feminine than the coupe version, it still comes with all the bells and whistles found on other 370Zs. The 3.7-liter V6 pumps out the same amount of power, and that power is still sent to the back wheels thanks to a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission. On top of having everything a gearhead could ask for, Nissan added heated leather seats.

5 Custom

370Z Turbo Kit 2 Cropped
Via chicagomotorcars.com

True gearheads started noticing the potential of Japanese sports cars way before Fast And Furious was released. Starting in the early '90s, cars such as the Subaru Impreza WRX or the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo were tearing up the asphalt. In the WRC, Japanese cars won several championships. Whether those cars were driven by Colin McRae or Tommi Makinen, they often occupied the highest spot on the podium.

370Z Turbo Kit Cropped
Via greddy.com

Z cars are outstanding to begin with. While it is undeniable that the weight/ power ratio is simply amazing, it is sometimes not enough for some demented car fans out there. The greatest part about the 370Z, and Z cars in general, is the fact that it can be turned into a true beast relatively easily. 800+ hp twin-turbo 370Zs may not be a dime a dozen, but they do exist.

4 JDM Legend

Custom Nissan 370Z Cropped
Via nissanusa.com

Customizing Japanese cars is not a new phenomenon. Way before the Fast And Furious craze started, some Japanese car owners were already turning their pocket sports cars into beasts that could easily destroy a high-end German car. As Nissan's latest Z car was either admired or hated, Nissan decided to launch a PR campaign that would attract its fans and intrigue its haters.

Custom Nissan 370Z 2 Cropped
Via nissanusa.com

When looking at the JDM cars made available over the decades, it is fair to say that the 370Z is one of the greatest Japanese cars ever made. Realizing the potential of its nervous coupe, Nissan decided to create several events where gearheads got to either participate in a project sponsored by the carmaker or go home with a souped-up 370Z.

3 Showing Teeth

2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo Cropped
Via millermotorcars.com

BMW and its M Division have the reputation of turning regular cars into track-ready beasts. Though slightly different, Ford and Shelby, as well as Chevy and Yenko, have a similar relationship and do produce some peculiar vehicles. In Japan, Toyota with TRD and Nissan with Nismo have worked tirelessly to come up with the meanest sports cars.

RELATED: This Is How Much A 2017 Nissan 370Z Nismo Costs Today

2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo 2 Cropped
Via millermotorcars.com

There are a myriad of reasons why gearheads would love to own a Nissan 370Z Nismo. A quick glance at the 370Z Nismo will have anyone wondering what is going on underneath the hood. The same 3.7-liter V6 is nestled in the engine bay. However, Nissan cranked up the power output to 350 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque. Originally sold for $46,300, the 370Z Nismo is a classic in the making.

2 Track Ready

Nissan 370Z Clubsport Cropped
Via usa.nissannews.com

Every single industry has its own major yearly event. The event that trumps them all. For custom cars, SEMA show is the event companies cannot afford to miss.

Nissan 370Z Clubsport 2 Cropped
Via usa.nissannews.com

For SEMA 2018, Nissan came up with the 370Z that should have been in very limited numbers. The Project Clubsport 23 is equipped with a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter VR30DDTT that makes a hefty 400 hp at the crankshaft. Nissan made sure to include new performance parts, so that monster could easily zoom down a racetrack. Sadly, the Clubsport never materialized into anything but a one-off project.

1 Celebration

2020 Nissan 370Z, White
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Whenever a great car, or a great company, is around for more than 30 years, it is fair to assume that the company will release a special edition of its current top-line vehicle. Ford, for example, released a 50th Anniversary Edition of its Mustang Bullitt. Dodge did the same thing with its Charger Hellcat Widebody.

2020 Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition 2 Cropped
Via en.wikipedia.org

The Z-Series was introduced to the American market a little over 50 years ago. To celebrate that milestone, Nissan released a special edition that comes with a two-tone paint job and badges that will remind anyone that this particular 370Z is not your average 370Z. The powerplant remains untouched. However, since only 1,000 units were made, it is fair to assume that this particular 370Z will appreciate in value in the future.