Z car time line

A forum for official Nissan press releases, general information and online reviews. This is also the place to announce or discuss current and past Z-related events.
81na ZX
Posts: 233
Joined: Sat Jan 08, 2005 1:08 pm
Car: 81 280ZX, 69 Lotus Europa

Post

ZXR_KiD wrote:1981 or 82 280 ZX turbo introduced
Definatly 81 My GL Deluxe wasn't top of the line


User avatar
HashiriyaS14
Posts: 14966
Joined: Fri Dec 05, 2003 8:02 pm
Car: 95 S14, 08 CL9, 08 NPS50, 03 Ninja 250, '60 Super Cub
Location: DC Metro Area
Contact:

Post

I believe one very important Z has been forgotten here.

Anyone familiar with the Z432 and Z432-R?

These are factory S30-chassis cars that came stock with the S20 twincam inline 6-cyl from the KPGC10 "Hakosuka" GT-R.

Here's a picture of one (this is NOT a swap, it's a factory car):

And another:

More:







Definitely my favorite Z of all time, followed closely by the Shiro Z31.

User avatar
Ty SE-R_92B13
Posts: 205
Joined: Fri Nov 12, 2004 9:35 am
Car: 1992 Nissan Sentra SE-R, 2005 Nissan Altima 3.5 SE, 2001 Ford F-150 SCrew 4x2 Lariat

Post

Nice information guys. This will help me make a decision on whether to buy this;

User avatar
JDMEnthused
Posts: 1054
Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2005 6:04 pm
Car: Nissan 240SX
Contact:

Post

ooo nice time line and pics

hardcoreheeter
Posts: 33
Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 5:18 pm
Car: 1986 300zx

Post

ok so im new to owning a z but im guessing the 86 300zx was 3rd gen as well right??? and would anyone now wut the hore power rating on the stock n/a was for that year to flywheel or ground????

MontanaZ
Posts: 20
Joined: Sat Jan 06, 2007 10:37 am
Car: 1978 Datsun 280z

Post

freakonaleash1187 wrote:i like to look at this chart a lot. only bad thing is they don't have z33 on there.
Im not so sure that chart is 100% accurate. The weight on my title for my 78 says 2050lbs. Now its possible that could be wrong, but thats what it was listed at when it was first ever registered in the state of Cali. Also, I still disagree with the 9.4sec 0-60. When the roads get better here Im going to have to test that. My motor is stock and has not been rebuilt; it has 179,000 miles on it and I know it does 0-60 in less than the 9 + seconds listed there. Are they shifting at 2,000rpm when they test that speed??

NissanSportMag(Z31)
Posts: 89
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 3:59 pm
Car: A few Z31s.
Contact:

Post

MontanaZ wrote:Im not so sure that chart is 100% accurate. The weight on my title for my 78 says 2050lbs. Now its possible that could be wrong, but thats what it was listed at when it was first ever registered in the state of Cali. Also, I still disagree with the 9.4sec 0-60. When the roads get better here Im going to have to test that. My motor is stock and has not been rebuilt; it has 179,000 miles on it and I know it does 0-60 in less than the 9 + seconds listed there. Are they shifting at 2,000rpm when they test that speed??
Information found on titles is generally misleading. The only real data on there is the VIN, year, and owner. Most of the rest of it will vary depending on who and where the information was first entered. It's like people that believe the GVWR is the actual weight of their car. 2050 sounds rather low.

The 9.4 0-60 time is probably what was reported by a magazine of the time. Actual times may vary. It does seem much slower than one would expect though.

Also, realize the chart is generally describing information as it was available for the first year of that particular model. Keep in mind that changes could be made between years as well as mid year. So to make a chart with all that information would not be realistic. It's just a generalization.

User avatar
evildky
Posts: 14713
Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:23 pm
Car: 71 240ZT, 87 300ZXN/A-T, 06 350Z GT, Tundra TRD RW
Location: Louisville, KY
Contact:

Post

there si no way taht your 280 weighs 2050, someone goofed, our titles don't have weights on KY, your car is likely closer to 2850lbs and I say get a g-tech or get on the drag strip if you don't believe the numbers it's hard to justify numbers using the seat o the pants moter

User avatar
needmydatsun
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:47 pm
Car: 1978 datsun 280z

Post

1969- The 240z goes up for sale in the U.S. on October 22, 1969. It’s equipped with an L24 engine (2.4 liter inline-6). The car produces 150 bhp and the 0-60 time is under 9 seconds. Price? Only $3,526 U.S.

1970- Less than a year after its released, the Kelly Blue Book rate is $4,000 for a used 240Z.The Datsun is taken to the track in SCCA competition and takes the C-Production national championship for Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE).

1971- The Datsun 240z gets its second C-Production national title with BRE.

1973- Towards the end of the 240Z's last model year, 116,712 cars were sold.

1974- The engine is increased to 2.6 liters(L26), and the car is re-named the 260Z. To meet emissions requirements, HP is decreased to 139. Also, the 1974 model brings the choice of a 2+2 body. The 2+2 had fold-down rear seats. '74 being the only year the 260Z was sold in the U.S, it set a single-year-Z-car sales record of 63,963 cars sold. The 260Z also took home another C-Production national championship.

1975- Tougher emissions means needing more complex technology, so Nissan Motors swap the L26 engine for the L28(2.8 liter), and add a version of Bosch's L-Jetronic fuel injection creating the 1975 280Z which produces 149 HP. The 280Z is entered in the IMSA GTU (Grand Touring under 2.5 Liter Engines) and wins 8 races and takes home the gold. It also wins another C-Production national championship.

1977- a 5-speed transmission becomes an option. HP is boosted to 170. 67,331 cars sold making the highest z-car sale year to date.

1978- The Black Pearl Edition 280Z is sold being the only Z painted black. This is the last year for the 1st generation body.

1979- The first year of the 2nd generation Z is sold, the 280ZX. It has a higher level of luxury to meet buyers demands. The 280ZX is named Motor Trend's "Import Car Of The Year" and it sets the highest Z-car sales record with 86,007 cars sold. It captures the Z-cars 10th consecutive SCCA C-Production national championship and wins another IMSA GTU title for Datsun( American version).A special edition 280ZXR is sold to the public.

1980- T-Tops are introduced as a new option for the 280ZX. Total Z-car sales reach the half million mark.

1981- The option for a turbo-charged engine appears. Sales remain brisk through 1983.

1982- The 280ZX wins the first IMSA GTO (Grand Touring Over 2.5 Liters) championship ever for Datsun.

1983- The last year of the 2nd generation Z-car.

1984- The 3rd generation Z-car makes debut, the 300ZX. The all new 3.0 liter V-6 engine puts out 160 HP while the turbo-charged engine put out 200 HP. This is the 2nd best selling year with 73,652 cars. A 50th Anniversary Edition is sold to commemorate Nissan Motor sports Of Japan's 50th year in existence (founded in 1934).

1985- The 300ZX turbo sets 10 track records.

Late 80's- minivans and SUV's become extremely popular setting the Z-car sales down. Nissan develops more of a performance orientated z-car to make debut in 1990. 1989 is the last year for the 3rd generation Z-car.

1990- The all new fourth generation z car, the new 300ZX has a more aggressive stance and features a DOHC( dual over-head cam) 3.0 liter V6 engine that produces 222 HP (VG30DE) for the normal model. The VG30DETT that is put in the twin turbo-charged model creates an amazing 300HP. The 300ZX turbo is named Motor Trend's "Import Car Of The Year" award, and also puts it as "One of the Top 10 Performance Cars". Automobile Magazine honors both models as its "Design Of The Year", and the twin turbo model in the "All Stars" category. Road and Track see's it as "One of the Ten Best Cars in the World". Car and Driver names it "One of the Ten Best Cars". Accumulative Z-car sales reach the 1,000,000 mark in 1990 making it the all-time best selling sports car ever.

1991- The twin turbo model is once again named Car and Drivers "Ten Best" and Automobile Magazine's "All-Stars".

1992- For the third straight year the twin turbo model is in Car and Drivers "Ten Best" and Automobile Magazine's "All Stars".

1993- The twin turbo model for the fourth straight year is named Car and Driver "All-Stars" and Automobile Magazines "Ten Best" list. first year for the convertible.

1994- A race made Z wins the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours at Sebring, and wins the GTS class in the 24 Hours of Lemans, making it the only car to ever win all three in one year. For the fifth straight year the twin turbo model is named Car and Driver's "All-Stars" and Automobile Magazine's "Ten Best".

1995- '95 marks the 25th anniversary for Z-cars. The 300ZXTT is named once again, Car and Driver's "All-Stars" for the sixth year straight.

1996- Because it did not meet the U.S. safety and emissions standards, this is the last year the 300ZX/TT is sold.

1997- People start hearing rumors of another Z-car in progress.

2003- Nissan designed the all new 350Z. The new Z-car was equipped with a new engine, the VQ35DE and put out 287HP and 274ft/lbs of torque.

2004- the introduction of the 350Z roadster.

Modified by needmydatsun at 12:26 PM 3/29/2007

Modified by needmydatsun at 7:55 AM 4/10/2007
Modified by needmydatsun at 1:30 PM 4/10/2007

User avatar
evildky
Posts: 14713
Joined: Sat Jan 31, 2004 9:23 pm
Car: 71 240ZT, 87 300ZXN/A-T, 06 350Z GT, Tundra TRD RW
Location: Louisville, KY
Contact:

Post

you got some misinformation on the 350Z, nissan didn't chop the G, they designed the FMZ chassis as the basis for the Z and the infiniti as well, and I believe the g35 coupe has the same wheelbase even? might have to look that one up, and in 2003 the 350z came tih 287 hp not sure on the tq but shoud be similar, maybe you got the maxima tune ratings? and you skipped the introduction of the 350z roadster in 2004

and 93 I believe was first factory convertible Z

User avatar
needmydatsun
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:47 pm
Car: 1978 datsun 280z

Post

those were the numbers on the dyno slip i saw and it was for the base base model, like no options at all so i used that

User avatar
AZ-ZBum
Posts: 1282
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2003 9:48 am
Car: 05 Murano, 84 Z31 AE, 88 Z31 Vert
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Contact:

Post

If you're going to plagurize a site word for word like that, you should at least cite your source: http://zhome.com/History/timeline.html

Gee, that looks familiar.

Also, your "research" SUCKS!

Every single Z33 the first two years had exactly the same power and torque. 287 hp and 274 ft-lbs. The track, anniversary, and grand touring roadster models of 2005 came with 300 hp and 260 ft-lbs while the rest of the line retained the previous year's numbers.
»2006– Nissan came out with a supercharged 350z concept, the gt-s, released for 2007

2007– Nissan develops a concept for the Nissan 450z wich will feature a 400hp 4.5 liter v-8 engine, it is said the 450z will be all-wheel drive and is being made to compete with the new 911 turbo and the new r35 skyline
Maybe you should have also put in the original "New Z" concept release dates and unveilings. This information is rather pointless as concept cars rarely actually hit production floors.
Last edited by AZ-ZBum on Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:34 am, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
needmydatsun
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:47 pm
Car: 1978 datsun 280z

Post

well i never said that the concepts hit production floors and im sorry if that was implied and did you see the dyno slip? no, you didnt, that was for one car, i dont know if there was anything wrong with it, all i know is it was a base model. and yes i did get a lot of information from zhome.com the rest came from wikipedia.com and various links off of google.com that i didnt care to wright down, and you might think that informayion is pointless but i like to know about concepts and maybe someone else on this site would but i dont think its important to know the exact date the concept came out, just that there was a concept

User avatar
needmydatsun
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:47 pm
Car: 1978 datsun 280z

Post

my 78 280 weighs 3100 something pounds

User avatar
AZ-ZBum
Posts: 1282
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2003 9:48 am
Car: 05 Murano, 84 Z31 AE, 88 Z31 Vert
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Contact:

Post

needmydatsun wrote:well i never said that the concepts hit production floors and im sorry if that was implied and did you see the dyno slip? no, you didnt, that was for one car, i dont know if there was anything wrong with it, all i know is it was a base model. and yes i did get a lot of information from zhome.com the rest came from wikipedia.com and various links off of google.com that i didnt care to wright down, and you might think that informayion is pointless but i like to know about concepts and maybe someone else on this site would but i dont think its important to know the exact date the concept came out, just that there was a concept
Here's the problem. You're posting flywheel HP for all the other models, then change to one person's experience with a rear wheel dyno for the Z33. You're comparing apples and oranges. No sales brochure ever mentions rear wheel horsepower. So to use a rear wheel dyno results for the Z33 while using manufacturer posted flywheel results for all other models is just stupid.

You posted about two Z33 concept cars that no one really cares about since they will never hit showroom floors. But you neglect to post about the New Z concept when it was introduced a couple years before the Z33 hit the showrooms? Make up your mind. Concepts are or are not worthy.

My point is you should be consistent with your information.

What scales did you use to find the weight of your 280Z? That sounds really heavy. You should try taking the bricks out of the trunk and reweighing it.

User avatar
rsmithdrift
Posts: 1984
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:18 pm
Car: 1993 240sx fastback se.

Post

I find it so amusing that the wieght of the cars has gone up every time they changed it.

Going from 2300 lb 240z to 2800 lb 280z to the 3,000 lb z31 to the 3200 lb z32 and now the 3300 lb 350z

You'd think they'd get lighter as time progressed due to newer lighter weight materials, but no. They almost double their weight. Damnit.

Just curious, what's the curb wieght of the z33

User avatar
rsmithdrift
Posts: 1984
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 2:18 pm
Car: 1993 240sx fastback se.

Post

needmydatsun wrote:my 78 280 weighs 3100 something pounds
I believe your looking at gross vehichle weight. GVW on my z31 was 3600 For a 2+2 it's 3800. In 87 the 2 seater's GVW was 3700 and the z32 I believe is 4200 or something rediculous.

Curb weight is what's important and their can be a 1,000 lb difference in the two.

User avatar
AZ-ZBum
Posts: 1282
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2003 9:48 am
Car: 05 Murano, 84 Z31 AE, 88 Z31 Vert
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Contact:

Post

rsmithdrift wrote:I find it so amusing that the wieght of the cars has gone up every time they changed it.

Going from 2300 lb 240z to 2800 lb 280z to the 3,000 lb z31 to the 3200 lb z32 and now the 3300 lb 350z

You'd think they'd get lighter as time progressed due to newer lighter weight materials, but no. They almost double their weight. Damnit.

Just curious, what's the curb wieght of the z33
Safety equipment, government regulations on crash safety, passenger comfort, stronger metals, etc all play into the weight gains. A 1970 240Z would NEVER pass todays governments requirements for crash safety ratings. And most people would want the creature comforts and extra sound insullation/damping that the newer cars have that the original 240Z lacks.

User avatar
needmydatsun
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:47 pm
Car: 1978 datsun 280z

Post

i was looking at the GVW, i thought that was the actual weight, i do want to weigh my car though. and sorry i thought they were RWHP numbers, i'll change that

User avatar
needmydatsun
Posts: 66
Joined: Sat Feb 24, 2007 10:47 pm
Car: 1978 datsun 280z

Post

on my registration for my car the sclwt says 2417 lbs. does that sound right?

User avatar
Spraguepsycho1
Posts: 12
Joined: Tue May 29, 2007 1:07 pm
Car: '79, '82 Datsun 280 ZX, '80 280ZX 2+2 parts car.

Post

I have weighed both my '79 and '82 coupes on a DOT truck scale. The '79 showed 2950lbs on the scale, the '82 showed 2825lbs. Those readings were on different days, both with full tanks of fuel, and no passengers or cargo. The particular scale I used has shown as much as 200lbs difference weighing my 1 ton Ford PU on different days, so I'd guess anywhere in the 2800-2900 range would be fairly accurate when compaired to the factory curb weight.

User avatar
Osiris1977
Posts: 39
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2007 4:34 am
Car: 1985 Nissan 300ZX

Post

I finally decided to look at this post, and find it very interesting. I have one strange question, though. I am presuming the answer is no, but in 1996 most automakers changed from the OBD I to the OBD II. Did the 96 300 have the OBD II, or did they leave it as the OBD I since it was the last year for the Z32 production?

User avatar
AZ-ZBum
Posts: 1282
Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2003 9:48 am
Car: 05 Murano, 84 Z31 AE, 88 Z31 Vert
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Contact:

Post

Osiris1977 wrote:I finally decided to look at this post, and find it very interesting. I have one strange question, though. I am presuming the answer is no, but in 1996 most automakers changed from the OBD I to the OBD II. Did the 96 300 have the OBD II, or did they leave it as the OBD I since it was the last year for the Z32 production?
You would be better off asking in the Z32 section of this message board, but I believe the answer is yes.

manuelism
Posts: 17
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 3:21 pm
Car: 1987 Nissan Sunny (rz-1)
Contact:

Post

**** i love these things

meatish
Posts: 12
Joined: Sat Jun 10, 2006 11:04 am

Post

Nice. I love these.

thomasz
Posts: 9
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:11 pm
Contact:

Post

Wow I found so useful information here. Very nice.

BadQ45t
Posts: 3249
Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2002 7:54 am
Car: 21' Leaf SL Plus (wife's car)
05' X-Terra S 4x4
97' Q45t SOLD! Miss the old girl
84 300ZX (Original Owner)
2016 Mercedes Benz S550e V8 Power and 35 MPG
Location: Half Moon Bay, CA

Post

I find it hard to believe a few of the numbers on that chart, specifically the 1984 NA was not a 9 second 0-60 and there was no comparison between a 83' NA and a 84' NA in terms of 0-60. Nothing against anyone with one of those but it was really gutless, and they list the 83' Turbo as faster than a 84' Turbo, that I know for sure is not right.

User avatar
DachshundTooAteEZ
Posts: 254
Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 6:33 pm
Car: Datsun 280Z 1975
Contact:

Post

...Yeah, the 280Z's 3100 gross weight is dripping wet and loaded to max. cargo capacity. But keep in mind that the 240 was, by that token, weighed bone dry... So the difference is exaggerated in that and the weights for an S30 are likely converge to within a couple hundred pounds, between 25-2800 maybe.

Similarly, the 240's figure of 150 horsepower is gross, where the 280's 149 is net (the 280's gross is listed at 170, though I can't say with certainty what then the net for the 240 must be... 135 or so maybe?) With such old cars, it's hard to tell how things were as they were new...

So by that token, and by the seat of one's pants, I wouldn't say the 280 and 240 have as big of a performance difference as is shown by that chart, but delivery certainly differs.

User avatar
mn300zx
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:56 pm
Car: 1986 300zx turbo and 1979 fairlady 280z
Contact:

Post

OBD-II was required on all vehicles made for the '96 model year. some companies had it already installed but it wasn't required until '96 model year.


Sky240PWR
Posts: 1248
Joined: Sun Feb 27, 2005 9:27 pm
Car: 1991 Nissan 240SX

Post

Ok, i'm new to the older Zs, I'm in the middle of buying a 74 260z, the owner tells me it's rare cause it has the 240z body, is this true?(does this make it rare)He's not making any more money off telling me this cause I'm getting this car for 2g and it's in good shape, can somone please fill me in...thanks!


Return to “Z-Series News and Events”