Nissan 300ZX

The Nissan 300ZX, also known as the Nissan Fairlady Z is a sports car produced by Nissan Motor Company. It comprises the third and fourth generations of Nissan's Z-car line-up, respectively given the chassis designations Z31 and Z32.

Z31

The Z31 chassis designation was first introduced in 1983 as a 1984 model and the third-generation Datsun/Nissan Z-car. The car was designated as a Datsun/Nissan 300ZX in its 1984 premiere, but the Datsun badge was dropped in 1985 when Nissan standardised their brand name worldwide. The car was designed by Kazumasu Takagi and his team of developers, and featured a new, more aerodynamic body than its 280ZX predecessor. It also had a more powerful line-up of V6 engines instead of the old I6 used in the 280ZX. According to Nissan, "the V6 engine was supposed to re-create the spirit of the original Fairlady Z." (Datsun 280 Nissan 300ZX, p.65) This new V6 (2960cc) SOHC engine was available as a naturally-aspirated VG30E or a turbocharged VG30ET producing 160 and 200 horsepower respectively. The engines were either a type A or type B series engine from 1984-1986 and later a W series from 1987-1989 which produced 165 and 205 horsepower.

On the home market, the list of models included the 3-litre 300ZX and the 2-litre Z, ZG, ZR, and ZR II spec. The 300ZX in Japan was not subject to tough emissions regulations as in the US therefore producing 230 horsepower . The 2-litre models used either a VG20ET or RB20ET engine and developed between 170-180 horsepower . This was to, "make the most of the local taxation laws." (Datsun 280 Nissan 300ZX, p.69)

The chassis remained somewhat similar to the 280ZX, with the same 91.3in (2319 mm) wheelbase and MacPherson strut/trailing arm independent suspension, however the 300ZX both handled and accelerated better than the 280ZX it replaced. All turbo charged models featured 3-way electronically adjustable shock absorbers.

There were also two special models produced. In 1984, the 300ZX 50th Anniversary Edition was released in celebration of the company's 50th anniversary. In 1988 Nissan released a pearl white 300ZX "Shiro Special" (AKA SS) with stiffer springs, matched shocks and no available options. There were no stellar differences setting the SS apart from a regular 1988 model 300ZX Turbo except for the pearl white paint, front air dam, wheels, suspension and a viscous limited-slip differential in place of the clutch type.