Nissan's Line of Sports Cars

In the 1950s, Nissan decided to expand into worldwide markets. Nissan management realized their Datsun small car line would fill an unmet need in markets such as Australia and the world's largest car market, the United States. They first showed the Datsun Bluebird at the 1958 Los Angeles Auto Show. The company formed a U.S. subsidiary, Nissan Motor Corporation U.S.A., in Gardena, California in 1960, headed by Yutaka Katayama. Nissan continued to improve their sedans with the latest technological advancements and chic Italianate styling in sporty cars such as the Datsun Fairlady roadsters, the race-winning 411 series, the Datsun 510 and the Datsun 240Z. By 1970, Nissan had become one of the world's largest exporters of automobiles.

Datsun Fairlady Z (Datsun 240Z)

Launching in November of 1969, the Fairlady Z premiered the first generation of Z Cars in Japan. Manufactured for 9 years, the Fairlady Z earned international acclaim when it worked with its U.S. counterpart, the Datsun 240Z, to sell over 520,000 units – a record for sports cars within a single model.

Specifications

  • Transmission: 4-speed manual (3-speed automatic optional)
  • Base Price: $3,626
  • Horsepower: 150 @ 6000 rpm
  • Torque: 148 pound-feet @ 4400 rpm
  • Engine: single-overhead-cam inline-6
  • Curb Weight: 2,238 lbs
  • Quarter-mile 17.1 seconds @ 84.5 mph

Datsun 280Z

The next of the Datsun Z-Cars to launch was the 280Z in August 1978. The new styling attracted interest, featuring the traditional long nose and short deck blended with sharper lines and a grille-less front end for a unified look. The 280Z was available as Z-L and Z-T, the latter equipped with standard air conditioning, power windows, and aluminum wheels.

Specifications

  • Transmission: 5 speed, floor shift
  • Suspension (front, rear): Strut, semi trailing-arm
  • Engine Max. power: 107W (145PS)/5,200rpm
  • Engine Max. torque: 226Nm (23kgm)/4,000rpm
  • Engine: L28E (6-cyl. in line, OHC), 2,753cc
  • Curb Weight: 2,700 lbs.
  • Brakes (front, rear): Ventilated disc, disc


Nissan 300ZX (Z31)

The winning car of the 1985 All Japan Rally Championships, the Nissan 300ZX, was introduced to American markets in 1983. This third-generation Z (Z31) car brought with it standard air conditioning, leather upholstery, and offered an affordable entry point for sports car enthusiasts similar to its’ predecessors.

Specifcations

  • Engine Max. power: 169W (230PS)/5,200rpm
  • Suspension (front, rear): Strut, semi trailing-arm
  • Engine Max. torque: 333Nm (34kgm)/3,600rpm
  • Engine: VG30ET (V6, OHC), 2,960cc
  • Curb Weight: 2,921 lbs.
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive
  • Brakes (front, rear): Ventilated disc, disc

Nissan 300ZX (Z32)

The fourth-generation model, 300ZX (Z32), was launched in July 1989 and remained in production until 1996. It was both bold and beautiful with its wide, low-proportioned styling, distinctive front mask featuring headlights slanted at over 60 degrees, a lively silhouette, and the short overhang that accentuated its excellent maneuverability.

Specifcations

  • Suspension (front, rear): Multilink
  • Engine Max. power: 206W (280PS)/6,400rpm
  • Engine Max. torque: 388Nm (39.6kgm)/3,600rpm
  • Engine: VG30DETT (V6, DOHC), 2,960cc
  • Curb Weight: 3461.3 lbs.
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive
  • Brakes (front, rear): Ventilated disc, disc
  • Transmission: 5-speed MT

Nissan 350Z

The Nissan 350Z kicked off production for the 5th generation of Nissan Z-Cars in 2002 and ended the 6-year production hiatus in the US. Originally only made in a coupe, the 350Z roadster premiered for the 2004 model year. 350Z, with its’ sleek redesign of 240Z DNA, helped rejuvenate Nissan’s market presence going into the latter half of the decade.

Specifcations

  • Transmission: 6-speed close-ratio manual
  • Engine: VQ35DE, VQ35HR (V6, DOHC)
  • Horsepower 287-307 hp
  • Torque: 274-284 ft-lbs
  • Curb Weight: 3,197 lbs
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive
  • Brakes (front, rear): Ventilated disc, disc

Nissan 370Z

Informed by historical Nissan Z-Cars, the Nissan 370Z available in coupe and roadster models brings the legendary Z into the future. The 6th-gen sports car began production in 2009 and remains in American markets as a staple of the Nissan brand even 10 years later.

Specifcations

  • Transmission: 6-speed close-ratio manual
  • Horsepower: 332-354hp
  • Engine: 3.7-L VQ37VHR DOHC 24-Valve V6 Aluminum Alloy
  • Torque: 270ft-lbs
  • Curb Weight: 3333 lbs
  • Drivetrain: Rear-wheel Drive
  • Brakes (front, rear): Ventilated disc, disc

Nissan GTR (KPGC10, KPGC110, R32, R33, R34, R35)

The GTR Line has been around as long as the Z line, having two hiatuses in its entire history. There have been six generations of GTR's that are still made to this day. Each with legendary status among the car world and many having been featured in movies such as the fast and the furious. They boast some of the highest hp tuned and built street cars ever made.

Specifications

  • Transmission: 5 Speed MT, 6 speed MT, 6 speed Dual Clutch AT
  • Horsepower: 160-604hp
  • Engine: 2.0 L S20 I6, RB26DETT I6, RB28DETT I6, VR38DETT V6
  • Torque: 122-567ft-lbs
  • Curb Weight: 2487-3763 lbs
  • Drivetrain: All-wheel Drive
  • Brakes (front, rear): Ventilated disc, disc