Second generation · S130 (280ZX) · 1979–1983
1979Nissan Z
The Datsun 280ZX moved the Z toward a softer grand-tourer, adding T-tops and, late in the run, a turbocharged engine. The 1980 10th Anniversary edition marked a decade of the Z.
Photo: “1979 Datsun 280ZX (S130) hatchback (25684001001)” by Jeremy from Sydney, Australia / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Start here
What do you need to know?
This page covers the whole 1979 Nissan Z model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.
Complete, source-verified lineup
Find your exact 1979 Z
Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified
We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for two-seat and 2+2 bodies, Deluxe and Grand Luxury grades, factory transmissions, and the 280ZX-R homologation model. Every version shown below has its own detail page.
Verified 2026-08-31 from Nissan Motor Co. — 1979 Datsun 280ZX factory service manual model-variation table, Datsun 280ZX-R homologation model record.
Datsun 280ZX Deluxe Four-speed Manual
- Body
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 4-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX Deluxe Five-speed Manual
- Body
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX Grand Luxury Five-speed Manual
- Body
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX Deluxe Automatic
- Body
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 3-speed automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX Grand Luxury Automatic
- Body
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 3-speed automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX 2+2 Deluxe Five-speed Manual
- Body
- Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX 2+2 Grand Luxury Five-speed Manual
- Body
- Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX 2+2 Deluxe Automatic
- Body
- Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 3-speed automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX 2+2 Grand Luxury Automatic
- Body
- Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 3-speed automatic
- Built
- Regular production
Datsun 280ZX-R Five-speed Manual
- Body
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive homologation fastback coupe
- Engine
- 2.8-liter L28E fuel-injected inline-six (135 hp)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual
- Built
- Regular production
No factory configuration matches those filters.
The 1979 model year
Overview
Preserved Datsun/Nissan U.S. factory literature documents 10 1979 Z configuration rows across 3 body and powertrain combinations. This S130 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 (135 hp)
- Transmissions
- 4-speed manual, 5-speed manual, 3-speed automatic
- Body styles
- Two-seat rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe, Four-seat 2+2 rear-wheel-drive fastback coupe, Two-seat rear-wheel-drive homologation fastback coupe
Year over year
What changed
- The 1979 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 10 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 1979 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 1979 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
- 6
- Factory intervals
- 5
- Fitment-scoped
- 6
- Exact references
- 1
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
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1979 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 53–55 — oil and filter replacement · checked
Fuel filter
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1979 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 53–55 — fuel-filter replacement at 30,000 miles / 24 months · checked
Engine coolant
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1979 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance table — engine coolant replacement at 30,000 miles / 24 months · checked
Engine air-filter element
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1979 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual maintenance table — air-cleaner filter replacement at 30,000 miles / 24 months · checked
Spark plugs
Sourced interval available
Source: Datsun — 1979 280ZX U.S. owner's manual maintenance schedule · Owner's manual pp. 53–55 — spark-plug replacement at 15,000 miles / 12 months · checked
Engine oil and fuel filters — catalog fitment
Exact reference available
Baldwin B120 / BF1105
This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not establish service intervals or a complete maintenance schedule.
Source: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 710, Nissan 1979 280ZX 6-2753cc (2.8L) FI row(s) · checked
Verified ordering references
- Validated equivalentBaldwin B120
Qty. 1 · Engine lubricating-oil filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1979 280ZX application shown; confirm the installed engine, component, and dimensions.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 710, Nissan 1979 280ZX 6-2753cc (2.8L) FI row — Lube — B120 · checked
Search this part on Amazon - Validated equivalentBaldwin BF1105
Qty. 1 · Fuel filter · catalog-listed
Cataloged for the 1979 280ZX application shown; confirm the installed engine, component, and dimensions.
Catalog: Baldwin Filters — Automotive Applications catalog (2017) · Printed catalog page 710, Nissan 1979 280ZX 6-2753cc (2.8L) FI row — Fuel — BF1105 · checked
Search this part on Amazon
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Sources
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