Page 149 - Wayne Carini's Guide to Affordable Classics

For 1983, the last year of the 280ZX, the new miracle of digital dashboards made its appearance. Unfortunately, it was in its developmental stage and best forgotten. Rectangular gauges included a speedometer and a more or less unreadable tachometer that was a mix of digital and analog characters. Suspension was standardized, to the detriment of the Turbo which could have used stiffer springs. The Turbo was available in a blackout package with a Turbo stripe down the side. Prices continued to climb with the top level 280ZX Turbo now costing $17,299. Sales fell to 57,260 units, but a new 300ZX model would debut in 1984.
THE DRIVE
The first 240Z and the last 280ZX might have come from different parents. Not only did they look significantly different, but the latest cars weigh almost 600 pounds more than the early ones. The Turbo finally returned some of the performance with 7.4 seconds 0-60 mph and a 15.6 second quarter mile (one second and one and a half seconds faster) but the experience is totally different. The
first car is agile and noisy, the second was a muffled cocoon. Plus it cost almost five times as much.
The Jaguar E-Type coupe was the target for the 240Z and, built to a budget, the Datsun succeeds remarkably well. The long hood, and roomy cabin allow a sportsmanlike view from inside and out, the seats are comfortable and adjust well for tall drivers. Pedals are well-placed for heel-and-toeing.
The gauges are focused well – with a string of secondary instruments strung across the center of the dash. Without a back seat there’s plenty of room for luggage under an opening hatchback. Small underfloor compartments were fitted after the first couple of years. When the fuel tank was increased in size for the 280Z, the spare wheel no longer fit under the floor and occupies most of the rear compartment storage.
The engine revs willingly and the car is light enough that acceleration is brisk and the suspension compliant enough to
TOP: The 280ZX Turbo, launched in 1981, boosted output to 180 horsepower and was initially limited to an automatic transmission. LEFT: Conventional 280ZX instrument panel was replaced by digital version in 1983.
ABOVE: Simple, beautiful, fun, practical – it’s not hard to see why first generation Z-car prices have been appreciating quickly.
Datsun 240/260/280Z/280ZX
Wayne Carini  Affordable Classics  147