1984 Nissan 300ZX 'Targa' Coupe

Description

Nissan's only genuine sports car and its flagship model for more than four decades has been the legendary Z-car, beginning with the model that started it all, the 240Z of 1969 through to the current generation 370Z. By the time the third generation Z-car, the Z31 300ZX, appeared in 1984 the original concept of a small, high performance and affordable sports car had matured into a larger, more comfortable GT. At the heart of the new model was Nissan's refined and powerful new V6, the 3-litre unit featuring fuel injection and the option of turbocharging. Two transmissions were available, a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic. Sporting fashionable wedge-shaped bodywork that retained the 280ZX's t-bar lift-out roof panels, the 300ZX had all the usual '80s styling cliches like pop-up headlamps (an interesting styling detail, being semi-concealed) and a lift-back rear hatch, and like its predecessor, could be ordered as a two seater (in some markets) or longer wheelbase 2+2 (all Australian delivered cars sat on the 2520mm platform). As the flagship, Nissan ensured the 300ZX received every conceivable luxury feature, so the 300ZX was loaded with electric windows, seats, mirrors, cruise control and even a high-tech digital dashboard. Suspension was independent all round, with MacPherson struts with lower links and an anti-roll bar up front and there were disc brakes on all four wheels, plus power-assisted steering. Although the 300ZX came in for some criticism for being a softer car than rivals like the Porsche 944, it still managed very decent performance figures - Motor magazine recorded a top speed of 140 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 6.8 seconds from the turbocharged model and they were always an excellent high speed cruiser.