Car Model History

First generation · S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) · 1970–1978

1976Nissan Z

The original Z — sold in the US as the Datsun 240Z (1970–1973, 2.4L L24 six), then 260Z (1974, 2.6L, added a 2+2) and 280Z (1975–1978, 2.8L fuel-injected). A long-hood fastback that made affordable performance a mainstream idea.

First generation · S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z)

1976 Datsun 280Z (S30) — front three-quarter view

Photo: “1976 Datsun 240Z - Stierch” by Missvain / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1976 Nissan Z model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1976 Z

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

4factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

4versions shown
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

Datsun 280Z Four-speed Manual

Body
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

Datsun 280Z Automatic

Body
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six
Gearbox
3-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

Datsun 280Z 2+2 Four-speed Manual

Body
Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six
Gearbox
4-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

Datsun 280Z 2+2 Automatic

Body
Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
Engine
2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six
Gearbox
3-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1976 model year

Overview

Preserved Datsun/Nissan U.S. factory literature documents 4 1976 Z configuration rows across 2 body and powertrain combinations. This S30 roster keeps two-seat, 2+2, naturally aspirated, turbo, and transmission applicability within their exact model-year boundaries.

Specifications

Engines
  • 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six
Transmissions
4-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
Body styles
Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe, Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe

Year over year

What changed

  • The 1976 record includes only the body, engine, and transmission pairings supported by that model year's factory evidence; adjacent-year combinations and appearance packages are not inferred.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • The documented lineup exposes 4 source-backed configurations without turning standalone options into separate Z models.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Verify chassis code, engine, transmission, emissions equipment, and production date before ordering parts. Inspect rust and prior structural repair, cooling and fuel systems, timing-drive history where applicable, turbocharger condition on forced-induction cars, and modification quality.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1976 Z on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1976 Nissan Z. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
5
Factory intervals
5
Fitment-scoped
5
Exact references
3

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1976 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 6,250 mi / 10,000 km / 6 months · Whichever comes first; service more frequently under the manual's severe-use conditions.

    Source: Datsun — 1976 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — first service, then 6,250 miles / 6 months · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Engine coolant

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1976 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 25,000 mi / 40,000 km / 24 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Datsun — 1976 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — coolant replacement at 25,000 miles / 24 months · checked

  • Fuel filter

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1976 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 25,000 mi / 40,000 km / 24 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Datsun — 1976 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — fuel-filter replacement at 25,000 miles / 24 months · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Engine air-filter element

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1976 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 25,000 mi / 40,000 km / 24 months · Normal driving; service more often in dusty conditions.

    Source: Datsun — 1976 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — air-cleaner replacement at 25,000 miles / 24 months · checked

    Verified ordering references

  • Spark plugs

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1976 · 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six · United States

    Published interval: 12,500 mi / 20,000 km / 12 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Datsun — 1976 280Z U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance instructions — spark-plug replacement at 12,500 miles / 12 months · checked

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. Datsun — 1975 280Z and 280Z 2+2 U.S. sales brochure

Other First generation years

Explore the S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) generation →All First generation · S30 (240Z / 260Z / 280Z) years →

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