Datsun 280ZX History

The S130, sold in the US as the Datsun 280ZX, replaced the S30 for the 1979 model year. Motor Trend named it Import Car of the Year for 1979, and US buyers responded — sales figures exceeded 86,000 units in 1979 alone. It kept the 2.8-liter inline-six but shifted the car's character in a more luxurious, grand-touring direction.

A turbocharged variant (280ZX Turbo) arrived for 1981, delivering 180 hp and genuine performance credibility in an increasingly smog-conscious era. The 280ZX was sold in the US from the 1979 through 1983 model years, during which time packaging evolved to include a targa-top and a 2+2 configuration. From 1983 the car was co-branded 'Datsun by Nissan' as Nissan prepared to retire the Datsun name in the US; the Z-car became the Nissan 300ZX for 1984.