4 Attachment(s)
Datsun 280ZX / Nissan Fairlady Z (S130) 1976-1983
The Nissan S130 is a sports coupé produced by Nissan in Japan from 1978 to 1983. It was sold as the Datsun 280ZX, Nissan Fairlady Z and Nissan Fairlady 280Z, depending on the market. In Japan, it was exclusive to Nissan Bluebird Store locations. It was the second generation Z-car, replacing the Nissan S30 in late 1978. The 280ZX was the first time the "by Nissan" subscript was badged alongside the Datsun logo, along with Nissan trucks. The 280ZX was Motor Trend's import car of the year for 1979. The 280ZX was replaced by the Nissan 300ZX in 1984.
[B]Design goals[/B]
The 280ZX was a complete redesign, retaining only the L28 inline-six engine and other driveline components from the 280Z. Both two-seat and four-seat (2+2) designs were offered. Compared to the more overtly sporting earlier models, the 280ZX was a much softer, heavier car, with less focus on driving and more on driver comfort and refinement. Softer suspension, better sound insulation, more comfortable seats, and ample equipment including high-end audio systems defined the new ZX. In the spirit of the times, emissions controls and aerodynamics were markedly improved over the first generation Z-cars, while weight was down somewhat as long as the buyer did not pick much from the very long options list. The exterior design was evolutionary, less rounded and with better integrated safety bumpers. Many parts, including the rear-axle and the power steering came from the Datsun 810 luxury sedan. Most of the design effort went into the entirely different and much more modern interior. The car became a grand tourer rather than a sports car, particularly in the plush Grand Luxury versions.
[B]Engineering[/B]
The 280ZX adopted suspension similar to that of the concurrent Bluebird 910, with MacPherson struts in front and semi-trailing arm independent suspension in the rear. The wheelbase was up from its predecessor (90.7 in or 2,304 mm) to 91.3 in (2,319 mm) for the two-seater.
The 280ZX's body was redesigned with aerodynamics in mind. By closing in the open grille of the first generation Z-car and through other improvements taken from wind-tunnel testing, the drag coefficient was reduced from 0.467 to 0.385, and the lift coefficient from 0.41 to 0.14. The new design had a lower center-of-gravity and nearly 50/50 weight distribution in both the two-seater and 2+2 designs. The rear of the car was stretched to accommodate a larger 80 L (21.133 US liquid gallons) fuel tank. Overall, the new body design gave better fuel economy and high-speed stability (one of the known issues from the first generation Z-car).
Steering was changed: The 280ZX initially offered either unassisted rack-and-pinion steering or a Datsun 810-derived recirculating-ball with power assistance. Neither came in for much appreciation in period road tests. A new power-assisted rack-and-pinion replaced the recirculating-ball steering system for the 1981 turbo, becoming available on the naturally aspirated models the following year.
It is a common misconception that the 280ZX's L28 engine is less powerful than the L24 engine of the 1970 240Z or the L26 engine of the 260Z; the difference is due to Nissan adopting the SAE net standard of power measurement, which resulted in lower power ratings than the earlier gross figures and added emissions. However, Nissan designers deliberately sacrificed raw acceleration for improved fuel economy in the 280ZX, so the early 1979 models rated at 135 hp (101 kW) actually had slower acceleration than the 240Z, largely due to increases in weight and taller gearing, as well as power losses to emissions controls. This overall performance deficit was not addressed until the release of the 280ZX Turbo in 1981.
[B]Marketing and sales[/B]
The 280ZX was branded in the North American and Australian markets as the "Datsun 280ZX"; and in the local Japanese market as the "Fairlady Z". For the 1979 model year, in the American market, it was co-branded "Datsun by Nissan" through the 1983 model year. These were considered transitional years, as Nissan began to phase in their new global brand under the Nissan name.
The Japanese market got both 2.0 L and 2.8 L engines. The 2.0 L-engined Fairlady 200Z used the L20 engine common in Nissan family cars of the same era. The smaller engine was offered so that it would comply with Japanese government dimension regulations, while models with the larger engine were regarded as the top-level luxury model in Japan. Export markets all got the L28-powered version. In Japan the Fairlady was joined by a Nissan Skyline-derived sedan and coupé, called the Nissan Leopard TR-X, available at Nissan Japanese dealerships called "Nissan Bluebird Stores".
Two trim levels were offered in North America, with a no-frills two-seater and a fully equipped 2+2 GL. The GL package was also available for the two-seater, carrying the full equipment list. Leather seats were optional, and an optional digital instrument cluster was introduced in 1982. The T-bar roof was available on both bodystyles, but only in combination with the GL package. A "Blackout" package, without most of the chrome brightwork, was available for the standard two-seater.
[SIZE=1]Source: Wikipedia[/SIZE]
2 Attachment(s)
Datsun 280ZX (S130) 1976-1983
[B]First picture, Fairlady 280Z-L HS130[/B]
A second-generation Z (S130), equipped with a 6-cylinder in line 2,758cc L28 engine was launched in August 1978 as the 280Z. Attracting interest was the new styling, which featured the traditional long nose and short deck, blended with sharper lines, while the grille-less front end enhanced the unified look of the body. Both the 2-seater and the 2/2 offered more spacious interiors, further improving comfort.
[I]Specs[/I]
Overall length / width / height
4,420/1,690/1,295mm
Wheelbase
2,320mm
Tread (front/rear)
1,385/1,380mm
Curb weight
1,225kg
Engine
L28E (6-cyl. in line, OHC), 2,753cc
EngineMax. power
107W (145PS)/5,200rpm
EngineMax. torque
226Nm (23kgm)/4,000rpm
Transmission
5-speed, floor shift
Suspension (front, rear)
Strut, semi trailing-arm
Brakes (front, rear)
Ventilated disc, disc
Tires
195/70HR14 (front & rear)
[B]Second picture, Fairlady 280Z-T HGS130[/B]
Building on the original S30 concept, the second-generation Z (S130), launched in August 1978, was a sports car that aimed to offer even more in terms of comfort and ease of use. All models were now equipped with 4-wheel disc brakes. The 280Z was available as the Z-L and Z-T; the latter was equipped with air conditioner, power windows and aluminum wheels as standard.
[I]Specs[/I]
Overall length / width / height
4,620/1,690/1,305mm
Wheelbase
2,520mm
Tread (front/rear)
1,385/1,380mm
Curb weight
1,225kg
Engine
L28E (6-cyl. in line, OHC), 2,753cc
EngineMax. power
107W (145PS)/5,200rpm
EngineMax. torque
226Nm (23kgm)/4,000rpm
Transmission
3-speed AT, floor shift
Suspension
Strut, semi trailing-arm
Brakes
Ventilated disc, disc
Tires (front & rear)
195/70HR14 (6J aluminum)
[SIZE=1]Source: Nissan[/SIZE]