Nissan Fairlady Z (S130)
| Nissan 280Z | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Also called | Datsun 280ZX |
| Production | 1978–1983 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Sports car/Grand tourer |
| Body style | 3-door hatchback |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Related | Nissan 510 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.0 L L20E I6 2.8 L L28E I6 2.8 L L28ET I6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 5-speed Borg-Warner T-5 manual 3-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Curb weight | 2825 lb (1281.4 kg) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Nissan 280Z |
| Successor | Nissan 300ZX |
The Nissan 280ZX (also known as the Datsun 280ZX) was a sports coupe produced from 1978 to 1983. It was the second generation Z-car, replacing the Datsun 280Z in late 1978. The 280ZX was replaced by the Nissan 300ZX in 1984. The 280ZX was Motor Trends Import Car of the Year for 1979.
Design goals
The 280ZX was a complete redesign, retaining only the L28 engine and other driveline components from the 280Z. Both 2-seater and 4-seater (2+2) designs were offered. For the first time, the 2+2 was a new design (rather than a stretched version of the 2-seater).
With the oil crisis of the late 1970s still in car designers' thinking, Nissan focused improvements over the first generation Z on fuel economy, emissions, and aerodynamics. In addition, the higher value of high-end audio systems were standard.
Engineering
The 280ZX adopted suspension similar to that of the concurrent 510 sedan, with MacPherson struts in front and semi-trailing arm independent in the rear. The wheelbase was down from its predecessor at just 91.3 in for the 2-seater.
The 280ZX's body was redesigned with aerodynamics in mind. Closing in the open grille of the first generation Z-car and other improvements taken from wind-tunnel testing, the cd was reduced from 0.467 to 0.385, and lift coefficient from 0.41 to 0.14. The new design had a lower center-of-gravity and near 50/50 weight distribution in both 2-seater and 2+2 designs. The rear of the car was stretched to accommodate a larger 80 L (21 1/8th Gal.) fuel tank. Overall, the new body design gave better fuel economy and high-speed stability (one of the known issues from the first generation Z-car).
Improvements were also made to braking, and steering. The 280ZX offered either unassisted rack-and-pinion steering, or Datsun 810-derived recirculating-ball with power assistance. Even with these improvements, one should beware of the 1982 Z-Series, for they have been known to have used lower-quality metals in the engine, transmission, turbo and wheels. This model should not be purchased for parts if it is running roughly, since the parts are cheaply made zinc and will deteriorate quickly.[citation needed]
It is a common misconception that the 280ZX's L28 engine had less power than the L24 engine of the 1970 240Z. In fact the difference is due to Nissan adopting the SAE net standard of power measurement, which resulted in lower power ratings than the earlier gross figures. However, Nissan designers deliberately sacrificed raw acceleration for improved fuel economy in the 280ZX, so 1979 models rated at 145 hp (103 kW) actually had slower acceleration than the 240Z, largely due to increases in weight. This performance deficit was not addressed until the release of the 280ZX Turbo in 1981.
Marketing and sales
The 280ZX was branded in the American and Australian markets as the Datsun 280ZX; and in the local Japanese market as the Fairlady Z. In the 1979 model year in the American market, it was co-branded Datsun by Nissan through the 1983 model year. These were considered transition years as Nissan began to phase in their new global brand under the Nissan name.
The Japanese market got both 2.0 L and 2.8 L engines. The 2.0 L-engined Fairlady Z used the L20 engine common in Nissan family cars of the same era. Export markets all got the L28-powered version. The preference for 2.0 L engines in the Japanese market was a by-product of taxation laws.
Two trim levels were offered in America, with a no-frills 2-seater and the Grand Luxury (GL) ZX carrying the full equipment list. Leather seats were optional, and an optional digital instrument cluster was introduced in 1982.
Changes
1979-1980
Early reviews of the 280ZX were mixed. Some lamented the transformation the Z-car had made to a grand tourer, while others appreciated the improvements in refinement, comfort, and overall market appeal. The sales figures soon proved the Nissan designers right, with the 280ZX becoming a sales success.
In 1979, Datsun homologated a high-downforce whale-tail type spoiler for the Datsun 280ZX by producing 1,001 280ZX-R cars. These cars also had distinctive body decals and ZX-R logos. These cars were identical to the other cars of this year with the exception of the whale-tail and decal package.
From 1980 onwards, the 280ZX asss available with a T-bar roof (on both the 2-seater and 2+2 body shapes). The T-bar roof panels could be removed and stored in bags in the rear of the car.
In 1980, a limited edition "10th Anniversary" car was released. Available in either black/gold or black/red two-tone paint, these cars came with leather seating, and other special trim features. A total of 3000 of these cars were built - 2500 in black and gold, and only 500 in the red and black.
1981
A turbocharged models (using the L28ET engine rated at 180 hp) was introduced in 1981, and was available only with a 3-speed automatic transmission. At the time of release, the 280ZX Turbo was the fastest Japanese import in the American market and was the fastest production car money could buy, apart from two exotics (the Porsche 911SC and 928).[citation needed]
The L28ET used a single Garrett AiResearch TB03 turbocharger and no intercooler. Boost was limited to 6.8 psi. Other modest changes were made to the turbo model, with compression reduced from 8.3:1 to 7.4:1, and some minor strengthening of the engine block and rings.
The normally aspirated 280ZX with a 3-speed automatic delivered 0-60 mph times of 7.8 seconds, and a very respectable quarter mile time of 16.6 seconds.
One criticism of the early 280ZX was a reduction in spring rates, giving a softer ride, and making the car rather difficult to drive hard through corners, without transient over steer, which was a feature of trailing-arm rear suspensions.
1982-1983
Nissan gave the 280ZX a face lift in 1982 with revised NACA ducting, new alloy wheels, and revised B-pillar garnish. Power steering became standard equipment with a new rack-and-pinion, rather than recirculating ball.
The Turbo was now offered with a manual transmission; this was a Borg-Warner T-5 5-speed model (this was the first Nissan which used a non-Japanese transmission; the T-5 was also used, most notably, in the GM F-bodies and Ford Mustang) in addition to numerous other American domestic vehicles.
Spring rates and sway bars were revised, which largely addressed the handling nervousness of the early 280ZX Turbo, and reviews confirmed that the 1982 280ZX Turbo was the most sporting Z-car since the original 240Z of 1970.
Racing
The 280ZX proved successful in various classes of racing, particularly in the US. Significant results include:
- 1979 SCCS C Production Category (Bob Sharp Racing 280ZX)
- 1979 and 1980 IMSA GTU Championship (Electramotive Datsun 280ZX)
- 1982 and 1983 IMSA GTO Championship (Electramotive Datsun 280ZX Turbo)
The 1983 Electramotive 280ZX Turbo produced 700 hp, and reached a terminal speed of 140 mph in the standing quarter mile.
Actor Paul Newman raced with the Bob Sharp Racing team.
Trivia
- Appeared in the movie "Corvette Summer" as a super modified show car on the Las Vegas strip while hero was looking for his Corvette.
- The 280ZX was the first time where the "By Nissan" subscript was badged alongside the Datsun logo, along with the Nissan trucks.
- Paul Newman raced a Datsun 280ZX, and starred in a series of commercials advocating seatbelt safety in 1981.
- Steve Wozniak, inventor of the Apple, Apple II and Apple IIGS, also starred in a Datsun 280ZX commercial in 1983. His tagline was "It is Awesome" [1].
- The 280ZX, which was specially modified for the series with gullwing doors, was made famous in Japan by the police TV drama series "Seibu Keisatsu" (西部警察)
- Although popular in a number of American sources, the most notable appearance of Z-cars was in the Transformers series, where 3 members of the 1984 to 1985 Autobots (Prowl, Bluestreak, and Smokescreen) turned into different models of the 280ZX.
- Datsun Australia offered several 280ZX cars, painted specially in Benson & Hedges gold, as prizes during the 1983 and 1984 World Series Cricket tournaments. One of these cars was won by Viv Richards of the West Indies.
- The 280ZX is featured in the Madonna video for her song Borderline; the singer spray paints on the white 280ZX.
- In the pilot episode of Lucy, Daughter of the Devil, a woman agrees to bear the child of Satan in exchange for a Datsun 280ZX.
- In the TV series Magnum P.I., the character Orville "Rick" Wright drives a Nissan 280ZX.
- In the movie Boogie Nights, the main character becomes successful and buys a Corvette Sting Ray. An associate that idolizes him cannot afford a Corvette, and buys a similarly colored but much cheaper 280ZX.
- Also in the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Stacey's date whom she lost her viginity to drove a 280ZX.
- In the anime hellsing Alucard drives a z-car.
References
Datsun 280ZX. Nissan Motor Company, 1978. Datsun 280Z & ZX. Brooklands Road Text Books.
