Datsun 280Z: the affordable GT image

When Nissan entered the international market in the 1960s, it was still a relatively small manufacturer with nothing particularly special to offer. However, Nissan's then-US representative, Yutaka Katayama, realized the importance of creating a high-profile sports car that could greatly enhance the company's international reputation. The only similar model offered up to that time was the Fairlady, which enjoyed some market success but could only compete with compact English and Italian roadsters. Thus arose the idea of creating a completely new line of GT cars that would be stylish, innovative and fast, but also relatively affordable, using interchangeable parts from other more mainstream Nissan models senzor debit aer pierburg pret.

Datsun 280Z: the affordable GT image

Key to the success of this program was the engineering expertise of the Prince Motor Company in developing powerful sports engines. In 1966, it became part of Nissan, and its Prince Skyline model became the basis for the creation of the most powerful sports car Nissan Skyline GT-R in 1969. In October of the same year, Nissan's first purebred sports coupe, designed by company designer Yoshihiko Matsuo, was introduced, which marked the beginning of the legendary Z series.

In this regard, it should be noted that the bulk of the company's passenger cars were sold abroad under the Datsun brand, which was only completely replaced by Nissan in the entire company's range in the early 1980s. That is why the new GT sports coupe from the Z series, introduced in the late 1960s, was initially known everywhere simply as the Datsun.

It is interesting to note that specific versions were offered for the Japanese and American markets in the first model year. While the Japanese version had a 2.0-liter inline-six L20A engine with a capacity of 130 hp (97 kW), the American Datsun 240Z was equipped with a 2.4-liter L24 engine with twin Hitachi SU carburetors, as a result of which the power was increased to 151 hp (113 kW). The third variant of the Z series from the early 1970s, designated Z432 (PS30), had a more powerful version of the 2-liter S20 engine used in the Nissan Skyline GT-R.

In 1974, the displacement was increased to 2.6 liters, which led to the name of the new model being changed to 260Z. An interesting feature of its design is that in some versions, the base was extended by 30 cm, which allowed for the installation of two fully functional rear seats. Maximum power increased to 154 hp (115 kW) in the Japanese and most export versions, while for the American market it was reduced to 139 hp (104 kW) with the installation of new camshafts and carburetors, as well as by lowering the compression ratio, in accordance with the new regulations for the permissible level of harmful emissions in the USA.

In 1975, the 2.8-liter 280Z was created specifically for the American market, with the main change being the introduction of a Bosch fuel injection system, replacing the previous SU carburetors. This resulted in an increase in power to 170 hp (127 kW), which compensated for the increased weight from the added luxury features and enlarged bumpers to meet US federal safety regulations. Other markets around the world received a similar model only towards the end of 1978 in the form of the Datsun 280ZX.

Car parts AutoPower
Car parts AutoPower

Key to the success of this program was the engineering expertise of the Prince Motor Company in developing powerful sports engines

In this regard, it should be noted that the bulk of the company's passenger cars were sold abroad under the Datsun brand, which was only completely replaced by Nissan in the entire company's range in the early 1980s