'Z' Datsun Garage (Shiro Edition info)

[ZfrkS62]

I know most of the inhabitants here at JW are fans of the supercar, and let's face it..Datsun's are on the other end of the scale. but regardless, they played a big role for alot of enthusiasts. If it wasn't for Datsun, there would not have been a 300ZXTT let alone a 350Z.

So, as a tribute to the Japanese marque, here is a quick history of Datsun and their sporty little vehicles.



The name Datsun actually evolved out of complexities of the Japanes language. In 1911, Sotaro Hasimoto began the Kwaishinsha Company to begin building cars badged as DAT, after his three financial backers.

In 1930 a small car called a Datson was born. However, in Japanese, 'son' means lose, so the name was changed to Datsun.
'32-'34 Datsun Roadster:

'35-'41 Road Star:

'52-'58 DC-3:





in 1937 the cars were being sold as Datsuns in one market (Europe/US) and Nissans in the Asian market. This continued up until the early 1980's when Nissan forever dropped the Datsun name with the end of the 280ZX run in 1983.


In the 1950's Nissan/Datsun built up their business quite quickly by manufacturing British Austins under license for the Japanese market. Then they went to producing Austin copies of their own wihle developing their own range of small cars. The first of which was the S211, a 1.2L 60BHP engine in 1959. it lasted to 1963.


From '61 to '69, Datsun released a series of small engined roadsters. In Japan these were known as the Fairlady SP310 and 311 and SR311. in the European and US these were known as the 1600 and 2000 respectively.

these cars did well in the US, which is where the majority of the 40,000+ examples were sold and was a prelude to the legend that was to follow in 1970.

In 1967 Britain's Austin Healey 3000 had been discontinued and it's replacement, the MG MGC was highly unpopular and was ceased in 1969.
Nissan/Datsun pounced in 1970 and released the 240Z in the US and the Fairlady Z and Z432 in Japan.

The 240Z had a 2.4L single overhead cam 150BHP, 149Ft-Lb torque, inline six coupled to a 4spd trans. which was offered with different gearing and differential ratios. The Fairlady had a 2L engine but only produced 130BHP.



The limited production Z432 was a 2L dual-overhead cam 160BHP engine. only 413 of these were produced. The 432 in this badge represented the 4 valves per cylinder, 3 carb, 2 cam engine.

Nissan entered the car in international rallies, and it paid off. The little Z won the East Africain Safari not once, but twice.

North American sales were doing well. In 1971 10,000 of these little beauties rolled off of showroom floors. In 1973, sales had shot up to 52,500.

In 1974 the 260Z rolled onto the scene with a 2.6L inline six but it wasn't any faster than it's predecessor. Sales did even better in North America with the 260 and 280. 310,497 were sold. 230,128 of those were the US only 280Z, sold from '76 to '78.

The 260Z came as a 2+2 which had a 12in longer wheelbase and a backseat. The 260Z's also came with an optional 3spd automatic transmission (which tops the car out at 95MPH instead of 120 that the 4spd trans allows. I haven't driven the 5spd so i don't know what that top speed is.)


1979 marked the entrance of the 280ZX, and the last car to be badged with the Datsun name.

Much heavier than previous Z cars, they were longer and wider but more efficient in terms of aerodynamics. They drew complaints from vetran Z drivers that they had lost their edge, but due to the fact that they came with power windows and cruise control, these drivers were in the minority.

They came with the T-top option, and as a 2+2. The 2+2 was only 7.9 inches longer and 200Lbs heavier. In 1981, only the North American market recieved the 280ZXT which put down 180BHP.
1983 markedthe end of the 280ZX and Datsun.


1984 started the 300ZX line which marked Nissan's switch from the long inline 6, to the compact V-6. The 300ZX lasted until 1996 in the US and was incarnated in two body styles.
The first echoed loudly the 280ZX and also came as a ZXT. That lasted until 1989 when the body changed to the more rounded version that ran from 1990-1996 that came as the highly sought after ZXTT.

But since the 300ZX isn't Datsun, i'll leave it alone for now


2nd Gen. 300ZX, amongst 3 240Zs (240Z's have 2 styling cues that seperate them from the 260/280Z's. The front turn signals are under the bumper on the 40, and up above the bumper in the grill on the 60/80. The reverse lights on the 240 are incorporated into the tail light assembly, and on the 60/80 they are between the tail lights and license[number] plate)

(more pics coming soon)