The Nissan Z-series, a sports car model line produced by Nissan since 1969, has spanned multiple generations, each with its own distinct design and performance characteristics. The original 240Z was introduced to meet the growing demand for affordable, reliable sports cars, and its success solidified Nissan's position in the global automotive market. Throughout its history, the Z-series has been powered by a variety of six-cylinder and four-cylinder engines, featuring both naturally aspirated and turbocharged options. Notable models include the 280ZX, known for its luxurious features, and the 300ZX, which introduced advanced technologies like twin-turbocharging. The Z-series has also seen success in motorsport, further enhancing its reputation for performance. Reintroduced in 2002 after a brief hiatus, the 350Z and its successor, the 370Z, continued the Z-car legacy. The newest model of the Z series was revived again as the Nissan Z in 2020, although not available to the public until 2023.
The Yamaha YX-30 prototype, a collaborative effort between Nissan and Yamaha, was developed in 1961.
The joint project between Nissan and Yamaha for a new sports car ended in 1964.
Nissan acquired the Prince Motor Company in 1966, gaining access to their engineering expertise and the Prince Skyline.
Sales of the Nissan Z-cars (S30/Z29) began in October 1969.
The Datsun 240Z was released in America on October 22, 1969.
The Nissan Z-series began production in 1969.
The original Nissan Fairlady Z was released in Japan in October 1969. It was marketed internationally as the Datsun 240Z.
The Nissan Z-cars were released for the 1970 model year.
The 240Z achieved over 50,000 sales in 1972.
Sales of the Datsun 240Z reached over 40,000 units in 1973.
The Nissan 260Z, including a 2+2 model option, was released in 1974. Engine displacement increased to 2.6L.
The 280Z, featuring fuel injection and a 2.8L engine, was released in North America in 1975.
The Datsun 280ZX was introduced in late 1978 for export markets outside North America.
The Datsun/Nissan 280ZX was introduced in export markets, and Toyota launched the Supra in 1978.
The 280ZX was named Motor Trend's Import Car of the Year in 1979 and set a Z-car sales record.
The second-generation Nissan Z-car, the S130, was introduced in 1979, featuring a complete redesign but retaining the L28 engine.
T-tops were introduced as an option for the 280ZX in 1980.
A turbocharged model of the 280ZX was introduced in 1981.
A turbocharged option was introduced for the S130 in 1981, boosting performance.
In 1983, the Electramotive 280ZX Turbo demonstrated impressive performance figures.
The 300ZX achieved multiple wins in showroom stock racing during 1984 and 1985.
The Nissan/Datsun 300ZX was released in the US in 1984, along with a special 50th Anniversary Edition.
The completely redesigned 300ZX was released in 1984, introducing Nissan's 3.0-liter V6 engine.
The third-generation Z-car, the 300ZX (Z31), was released in 1984, featuring a 3.0L V6 engine.
In 1985, Nissan discontinued the Datsun brand name, although dealerships retained the Datsun name. The 300ZX received updates, including a water-cooled turbocharger and smoked taillights. Paul Newman achieved his fourth national championship by winning the 1985 GT1 Challenge.
The 300ZX continued its racing success in showroom stock racing in 1985.
The Electramotive GTP ZX-Turbo began racing in the IMSA GT Championship and All Japan Sports Prototype Championship.
The 1986 300ZX featured wider flared wheel wells, body-color bumpers, redesigned rear quarter panels for ground effects, and a standard hood on turbo models, replacing the turbo "scoop".
The 300ZX secured a Trans Am victory at Lime Rock in 1986, driven by Paul Newman for Bob Sharp Racing.
The 1987 300ZX underwent a redesign with new rounded bumpers, headlights, and taillights. Turbo models received charcoal trim, smoked turbo-finned wheels, an upgraded manual transmission, larger brakes, and a clutch-type limited-slip differential from April 1987 onward.
The GTP ZX-Turbo underwent further development in 1987.
In 1988, the 300ZX's turbocharger was switched to a lower-inertia T25, and the engine compression ratio was increased. Interior aluminum and chrome accents were replaced with color-matched parts. A special "Shiro Special" (SS) edition was released, featuring pearl white paint, analog gauges, black interior, stiffer suspension, Recaro seats, a limited-slip differential, and a front lip spoiler.
The GTP ZX-Turbo became a dominant force in the IMSA GT Championship in 1988.
The GTP ZX-Turbo, using a similar engine to the 300ZX, dominated IMSA GTP races in 1988.
There were no documented changes between the 1988 and 1989 models of the Nissan 300ZX. The 1989 model year is less common due to Nissan beginning to wind down production.
ZCON, the largest annual gathering of Z car enthusiasts in America, was first held in 1988.
Production of the Z31 300ZX ended in 1989.
The 1989 300ZX models remained largely unchanged from 1988, but production was scaled back as Nissan prepared for the next generation.
The GTP ZX-Turbo continued its dominance in IMSA GTP racing in 1989.
JUN's Z32 reached speeds of 339.2 km/h at Yatabe and 373 km/h at Bonneville.
Steve Millen started driving the twin-turbo 300ZX for Clayton Cunningham Racing in IMSA.
The 300ZX earned several awards in 1990, including Motor Trend's "Import Car of the Year" and "One of the Top Ten Performance Cars," Automobile Magazine's "Design of the Year," Road & Track's "One of the Ten Best Cars in the World," and inclusion in Car and Driver's 10Best. U.S. Z-car sales reached 1 million units.
The second generation of the 300ZX, the Z32, was launched in 1990.
In 1993, Nissan introduced a convertible version of the 300ZX, and T-tops became standard. A small number of hardtop "slick tops" were also produced.
The JGTC (later Super GT) was established in 1994. The absence of Nissan in GT300 in 2011 marked the first time no Nissan vehicle participated since the series's inception.
The 300ZX race car switched to a V8 Nissan VH engine.
The JUN-BLITZ Bonneville Z32 set a land speed record at the Bonneville Speed Trial.
North American 300ZX sales ended in 1996 due to factors like the rising popularity of SUVs and a higher Yen:Dollar ratio, though more than 80,000 units were sold. Rising prices also contributed, with the MSRP increasing from around $30,000 to $50,000. A Commemorative Edition marked the final 300 units shipped to the U.S.
Production of the Z32 300ZX ended in 1996.
The Z-car entered a hiatus in the U.S. market from 1997 to 2002, as Nissan shifted focus to SUVs and addressed financial challenges.
A significant design change was implemented for the 300ZX in 1998 in an attempt to revive sales.
To maintain interest in the Z-car during its hiatus, Nissan initiated a restoration program in 1998, restoring and reselling original 240Zs through dealerships.
In 1999, Renault acquired a 44.4% stake in Nissan.
Nissan presented the 240Z Concept car at the 1999 North American International Auto Show, a functional, orange two-seater inspired by the original 240Z and built in 12 weeks.
Production of the 300ZX ended in 1999.
In March 2000, the design for the upcoming Z Concept car was chosen from competing designs submitted by Nissan's Japanese, European, and American design studios. The selected design came from Nissan's La Jolla, California studio.
Production of earlier Nissan Z models at the Hiratsuka plant ceased in 2000.
The Nissan 300ZX continued production after leaving North America in 1996, ultimately ceasing production worldwide in 2000.
The orange Z Concept car was introduced at the North American International Auto Show on January 8, 2001. Its design, chosen from entries by Nissan's design studios, aimed to address the pricing concerns of the 300ZX and benchmark against the Porsche Boxster.
After becoming CEO of Nissan in 2001, Carlos Ghosn publicly affirmed the company's plans to revive the Z-car and ensure its profitability.
The Nissan 350Z was launched in July 2002 in Japan through Nissan's reorganized dealerships called 'Nissan Blue Stage'.
The 350Z coupé was released in the U.S. on August 20, 2002, available in five trim packages and priced from $26,000.
In 2002, the Z-car hiatus was scheduled to conclude as Nissan planned to reintroduce the model.
Production of the 350Z and 370Z models began at the Oppama plant in 2002.
Hasemi Sports clinched the GT300 championship with the 350Z in 2003.
In 2003, Nissan re-entered the US sports car market with the 350Z.
A convertible version of the 350Z was released in 2004, expanding the model's options.
In 2004, Nismo secured the GT500 championship title with their heavily modified 350Z.
Production of the 350Z and 370Z models moved to the Tochigi plant in 2004.
In 2005, the 350Z's VQ35DE engine received an upgrade, increasing its output to 300 bhp and 260 lb⋅ft of torque.
The 2005 35th Anniversary Edition 350Z featured a revised engine with a higher redline of 7,000 rpm and increased power output to 300 hp.
The 350Z's engine was updated to the VQ35DE RevUp in 2005.
Similar to the 35th Anniversary Edition, the 2006 350Z also received the revised engine with the increased redline and power output.
In 2007, Nissan revised the 350Z's trim packages, discontinuing the "Track" version and introducing the "Nismo" edition. The Nismo featured performance upgrades like Brembo brakes, Rays Engineering wheels, a larger exhaust, and an aggressive body kit.
The 2007-2008 350Z models received the VQ35HR engine with a higher redline, increased power output, and a more linear powerband. A revised transmission addressed previous issues.
The 350Z received another engine update in 2007, this time to the VQ35HR.
In March 2008, a twin-turbo Z33 by Performance Motorsport claimed over 1,700 bhp and an 8.33-second quarter-mile time. Another Z33 by Injected Performance set a horsepower record and was featured on the cover of Turbo Magazine. Lazcano Racing's 370Z ran 1/4 at 6.0 @ 226MPH
On December 30, 2008, Nissan introduced the 370Z as a 2009 model.
In 2008, Nissan GT-Rs replaced the 350Zs in the GT500 class, but 350Zs continued in GT300, with MOLA winning both Drivers' and Teams' championships.
The 2007-2008 350Z remained popular among enthusiasts due to the upgraded engine and transmission.
In June 2009, the second-generation Nismo 370Z was released.
Hasemi Sports won their second GT300 title in 2010. With their subsequent withdrawal and MOLA's move to GT500, 2011 marked the first time since 1994 that no Nissan vehicles were in the GT300 class.
Nissan launched the 370Z Roadster in the late summer of 2009 as a 2010 model.
Nissan hinted at the development of a successor to the 370Z.
Nissan filed trademarks for new logos, including a redesigned Z-car logo.
Nissan released a video showcasing its updated lineup, including a preview of the new Z-car with retro styling.
Nissan revealed the prototype version of the new Z-car, named "Nissan Z Proto."
The production version of the 2023 Nissan Z was revealed in New York City. Notably, it's the first Z-car without a number in the model name.
Nissan confirmed that the new Z would use the RZ34 chassis code.
The latest generation of the Nissan Z, known simply as the Nissan Z, entered production in 2022.
The 2023 Nissan Z was released.