In 1960, the Datsun Fairlady, an open two-seater whose name is due to a musical visit to Katayama in the United States, debuts. In 1963, the Fairlady 1500 appears in the style of the MGB - of which he can not be taken, because the Briton appears only after the Datsun. Nissan cooperates in the "Project Z" with the German designer Albrecht Graf von Goertz, whose first design is, however, through, the cooperation ends in 1964. Since 1969, the 240Z with six cylinders in series and 2.4-liter displacement, is the true contribution puzzled by the count on the Nippon coupe. In 1973, the 260Z (2.6 liters), 1978, the clearly grown 280ZX (2.8 liters). In 1983, the 300ZX (3.0 liters) debuts with a new front, V6 engine (also called turbo), and in 1989 the new 300ZX Twin Turbo.
At least the 300ZX had what the Porsche 944 was missing. A bearish three-liter V6 under the hood. In need space for rear passengers without thrombosis anxiety. The fabulous Targa roofs with which the ZX was so close to heaven. An electrically adjustable suspension. Nevertheless, the Datsun left the Porsche prospective cold the origin, you know ... Because even the 300ZX was missing something the past and the heritage something that every German car has in the genes.
Paradoxically, the 300ZX was even the fate of what testers praised him: Its still in the border area good-natured suspension, sophisticated tuned and controllable at any time. Too good for big boys of the 80s. Today, the young Japanese classic is no longer a suspect. Because the 300ZX, from 1985 as Nissan on the road, is anything but a guy without character. Closed, the sound of its 170 hp with pleasant vibrato penetrates into the driver's ear. His power steering stands out beneficially from today's power steering, reminiscent of kneading in too thin waffle dough. Then prefer direct - and reliable. Open and appropriately moved, the 300ZX becomes a car for men who smoke a pipe.
When the tinted Targa roofs are removed and the side windows are lowered, the wind blows on the driver's hair and shirt collar, as if he were sitting in a small sports plane that had forgotten to close the pulpit before departure. From the sonorous hum of a Lockheed Super Constellation, the V6 changes acoustically seamlessly to the roar of an imperial Japanese fighter pilot. Incidentally, in spite of Pearl Harbor, the Americans have never bothered - on the contrary, they literally tore Datsun's hands off the various generations of Fairlady. A true success story. Almost as in the musical.
Stoic-reliable technology, robust mechanics, solid body a Datsun / Nissan 300ZX stands out at most in that it is not noticeable - otherwise does has endurance qualities. The Targa coupe can still be easily moved in everyday life, with a little care and prudence keeps the sheet forever. Lots of space in the interior, pleasantly wide cockpit. Rear seat backs individually foldable, blinds through rear roller blind. Good standard equipment (power steering, electric windows, adjustable chassis, electric mirrors, stereo cassette radio, etc.). The tinted Targa roofs are still dense even after many years, but in the sunshine they quickly transform the interior into a sauna when mounted. The consumption is not exactly cheap, but with an average of 14 liters of super just acceptable - even if the 300ZX is not a thoroughbred sports car, but rather a tourer.
In Germany , the 300ZX is an exotic it was already as a new car. Accordingly manageable is the number of still rolling copies. Frustration-free is the search for mechanical components, Nissan can usually help. Many sheet metal parts are available as reproductions. The problem is with parts of the interior. The rear blinds to cover the trunk beats at 600 euros to book - but at least are still to have.
Rarely it was cheaper to drive classically (almost) openly. At moderate prices between 2500 and 6500 euros you get a decent 300ZX copy, part donors cost around 1000 euros. The market barometer for these models is increasing, but only very slowly and cautiously. The Targa flounder from the Far East is not a car for the mainstream taste and it will not be more.