Datsun 280Z


The Datsun 280Z was a high performance sports car that began manufacture in the seventies and was one of the Datsun Z series vehicles, the others being the 240Z and the 260Z. The vehicle began production in 1968, however it was not until 1970 that the Z240 hit the American market, and later the fuel injection L-Jetronic was added to the 280Z, after the 40 and 60 were on the market in 1975 – a modification to get the vehicle to cope with the recent emission changes which had seen the old twin one barrel side draft carburetors changed and they were forced to use something less powerful. The 280Z had a 2.8 L engine that was increased in late 1975 by increasing the bore of the L26 engine making it an L28, along with the fuel injection system previously mentioned. The Datsun 280Z also had a better heavier impact absorbing set of bumpers added and a 5-speed manual transmission added in 1977. The 1978 also saw the availability of a special limited edition 280Z called “The Black Pearl” which had all options as standard and had a paint coat in, well you guessed it, black pearl. Only about a thousand of these 280Z’s were produced.

The Datsun 280Z was easily modified, even though it was heavy and smog controlled, all it needed was the removal of the heavy front bumper and adding spoilers to make it stable at high speeds, along with many after market mods that could be added, making the 280Z comparable to other much newer sports cars. There are free-flowing exhaust and header kits that allow it to have greater air intake and much more horsepower. The engine was exceptionally powerful but because of the limitations imposed by the government was never quite able to reach its full potential, there are many more things it could have done but was unable to do because of government regulations. However if you own a Datsun 280Z you can modify it and make it live up to its full potential. The last model was the 1978, with the S30 series replacing the Z in 1979 (a crime against humanity).

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  1. Walt says:

    Correction: The S130 series (280ZX) replaced the 280Z in 1979. The 240-280Z were the S30 series.

    Thanks,
    Walt

  2. Shenron says:

    Thx a lot for your correction. I guess my original research had some flaws. I’ll be editing the post later on as soon as I can put my hands on the editor.

    Regards,

    Shenron

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