We’ve seen a few “Datsun 280ZXs” on CC over the years, but how about the Nissan Fairlady Z? It’s the exact same, but with subtitles. And LHD, seat doilies, fender mirrors, a smaller engine… Come to think of it, there are quite a few things that did not translate from Japanese to English, with this one.
The JDM Turbo version made do with a 2-litre, as opposed to the 2.8 that (most) foreign countries got. The non-turbo 2.8 was available in Japan, but had less success than this smaller turbo version, which provided 145hp to play with, but was taxed less. The turbocharged 2.8 seen in global / US versions was even more potent (180hp), but the non-turbo 2.8 only packed 135hp, so in Japan, smaller was better indeed.
The Japanese call these “2nd generation Fairlady Z” or the Nissan S130 – sometimes with “Z2000 Turbo” after it, for this particular spec. One thing they do not call these is “ZX,” strangely enough. And it was never badged as a Datsun here, even upon its August 1978 launch (and unlike the first generation Fairlady Z). At least on the home market, people knew what Nissan was and were thus spared the “Datsun by Nissan” badging of the era.
That Fairlady name is really a tough sell outside Japan, especially for a manly 6-cyl. sports coupé. Offbeat names were something of a Nissan specialty (Cedric, Sylvia, Cherry…) and, in the ‘70s, those were usually accompanied by very questionable styling. On this last score though, the Fairlady Z is the exception that proves the rule.
OK, it’s not as awesome as the first generation was – by a long shot. But given the context of Nissan in the ‘70s, this was a remarkably restrained and tasteful design. They smartly decided to keep the original car’s styling template pretty much unchanged, with the E-Type-esque long nose and round headlamps, and the short fastback rear. They didn’t want to tinker with the formula too much – a wise choice.
The big difference with the previous generation was the level of luxury and sophistication, which Nissan cranked up a notch of two. It made for a heavier car, which was not especially a good thing in Japan, and it seems this generation was a bit less successful here than it was in places like North America, to the extent that some US-market cars are being shipped back to Japan nowadays to satisfy local demand.
Alongside from Donkey Kong, dying Soviet premiers and high interest rates, is there anything more early ‘80s than these wheels? I think these are the original alloys for the Turbo Z, but I’m not 100% sure, as I could not find sufficient source materials on the web. Finding info about the JDM career of this model is a bit more difficult than for the US, European or Australian side of the story.
So I’ll keep it nice and brief – there’s not much I can add that hasn’t been written already in one of the fine articles below. It’s just interesting to encounter the original version. Now if you’ll excuse me, it’s just about Suntory time…
Related posts:
Driveway Outtake: Datsun 280ZX 2+2 – Living the ’70s Dream, by PN
Curbside Classic: 1983 Datsun 280ZX – The Cutlass Supreme Brougham Z?, by Tom Klockau
CC Outtake: Datsun 280 ZX: Just The Ride For A Trip To The Dentist, by Chris O’Bryant
eBay Find: 1980 Datsun 280ZX – Enough To Make My Heart Melt, by Gerardo Solis
CC Capsule: 1983 Datsun 280ZX – Mission Creep Comes To The Z Car, by Jana Lingo
Vintage Ad: 1979 Datsun 280ZX – A Creature Of Comfort, by Perry Shoar
What a cool quirky find. I like it! But I always question the point of a 2.0L six. Back in the heyday of SCCA racing Zs in the ’70s, some guys would pull the L24/6/8 six and replace it with a built L20 four for better weight distribution.
Seeing that gear shift handle inspired a question: Are shift patterns different on RHD vehicles? Here, first gear is to the left (closest to the driver) and higher gears are to the right. Do RHD cars keep this practice or are they a mirror where first gear is closest to the driver there?
That’s a beautiful Fairlady, but it sure seems odd to see one without the rear window louvers!
The pattern is identical between RHD and LHD cars. My favorite thing along those lines are the old MGs that had the gearshift canted over to the right for driver’s convenience even though they built far more LHD ones for the US market.
All my RHD vehicles have had the same shift pattern.
Oddly my (later) Fairlady Z had all its gauges and such in English.
I’m surprised I didn’t think of this before, but I’m pretty sure that this would even be a USA built Borg-Warner T5 just like a Mustang or S-10. Not only is the pattern the same, but sometimes there might be something else familiar…
It should be noted that this is the 2+2 version.
When I lived in Denver about twenty years ago, I often drove to Boulder to meet the friends at the pubs. I was driving home on the Boulder Turnpike after the event, and a Datsun 280ZX was slowly overtaking me on the left lane. I was puzzled when glancing at the external rear view mirrors sticking out of fenders rather than doors then glancing again to see the driver and steering wheel on the right hand side.
Gee, I realised I was looking at Nissan Fairlady Z, not Datsun 280ZX. That was my only sighting of Fairlady…
The “Camaro Berlinetta” of Z-cars – I love it, even if it’s not my favorite. Agreed about the odd names of Datsun / Nissan models of the day. Well-shared!
I was never a fan but the period wheels and decals really do it for me.
I love the almost ZZ Top decal on the side.
This generation seems to have become the rarest of the Z-breed, at least as far as what I see around here, although early popup light 300ZX’s are mighty scarce as well.
The shape still looks pretty good, the 80’s two-tone hasn’t quite come back into vogue just yet (or maybe it has among the Radwood crowd?) and it wasn’t a bad drive. The “+2” does make it more ungainly, just like all the others as well.
Impressive find in Tokyo though, no matter the engine!
The car in the pics appears to be RHD. Maybe taken in a special mirror that keeps the nameplates and such right way round while only mirroring everything else…? 😉
I had a book from Nissan Japan that was 200 some odd pages about the development of the 280-ZX. It was so in depth about how this was a new path and they were aiming to be a luxurious touring car. The stereo systems alone had a dedicated chapter. Let’s just say I was underwhelmed with the actual product, seeing some of the ideas that eerily look like the first RX-7. The weeks look correct. The Turbo graphics do not. Period JDM commercial they aren’t seen:
Those were the Factory Alloy Wheels on the DATSUN 280ZX TURBO – they were available starting on the 1981 Model Year through the 1983 Model Year • I sold DATSUNS at the time and I purchased a brand new 1983 DATSUN 280ZX TURBO – 5 Speed Manual in 1983 in Jade Metallic over Medium Gray Leather Seats – That car was stolen – after owning it just 2 years, I wish that I still had this beauty !! Wonderful Sports Car with 180 HP at the time !
Quite a few Fairlady Z emigrated to here but now they are rare on the streets rust took its toll along with age and neglect and of course the shortage of parts.
Another great find. I can remember those factory wheels from the late 70’s/early 80’s and I think the graphics/decal package was a factory option also.
And a manual too…must be the owner’s pride and joy…
Lost in translation, say I. That ain’t no fair lady, and all the makeup in the world can’t hide it, despite the many layers trowelled on here.
Whilst admittedly above the aesthetic standard of ’70’s Nissans – perhaps a bit like saying that the also-’80’s Margaret Thatcher looked better than the back of a bus – that still leaves this one about as tasteful and restrained as an ’80’s discotheque throbbing with big hair, spandex and glitter balls. I’m sure I recall that the S130 keyrings came on a gold chain with a touch of pubey hairs attached.
So, not for me then, but this one listened to the beat of the time and decided I Will Survive was a set of instructions, so it did. Still streetside pollution ofcourse, but it deserves respect for doing so.