Nissan's Ama-Z-ing Sports Car!
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- The Z cars didn’t singlehandedly kick start the boom in Japanese import cars. That came from the solid reliability and good value of regular passenger cars from Japan’s big three. And the biggest shot in the arm would come from the 1973 oil crisis and the rush to fuel economical cars. But the Z cars certainly helped, creating a halo car that showed that cheap and cheerful cars from a far off land can be exciting as well. Over the years the car has grown, and shrunk again, but it’s always stayed true to its roots.
Contents:
0:00 Intro
1:01 Early Nissan sports cars
2:16 Yutaka Katayama
5:15 Datsun 240Z
11:18 Datsun 260Z
12:10 Datsun 280Z
13:11 Datsun 280ZX
15:51 Nissan 300ZX
21:04 Nissan 350Z
24:35 Nissan 370Z
26:19 The future
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#bigcar - Auta a dopravní prostředky
Erratum: The 300ZX convertible was 1992, not 1982. The subtitles show it correctly.
Datsun 280Z are the 👑 of the Zee car with fuel injection 5 speed transmission’s bigger differential. 😎✌️
Have you thought about doing a video about car designs that haven't aged well? I thought of this today when I saw a late eighties Camaro in traffic and thought, 'I can't believe that was ever in style. It's hideous'. A video about designs that have and have not aged well might be interesting
Also “Erratum” there wasn’t a 240Z 2 + 2 only a 260Z version from 1974 onwards. I would also say that 240Z handling wasn’t ‘questionable’ back in the day being significantly more sophisticated with an IRS and front struts than the contemporary MGB and US offerings!
@@markbennett6658 en.wheelsage.org/nissan/fairlady/s30/42029/pictures
Big Car that is a Japanese market Fairlady version of the 2 + 2 and was marketed as a ‘Fairlady’ not a 240Z for the home market. it’s basically the later post ‘74 car as well with the revised dash and rear lights? I think I’m correct in saying that there were Fairlady versions with a 2 litre straight 6 engine the later ones having fuel injection
My next door neighbor used to have a Nissan 240Z, in the early 80s, the same exact color of the thumbnail. I remember going for rides in it as a kid, great memories. This was before neighbors were scared of each other and you knew their names.
The 240Z is one of those cars that make you fall in love instantly when you put your eyes on them.
Plus a damn fine car to drive!
And quite reliable too!
Oh yes the Devil
@@bandvitromaniaios1307 maybe the best car i ever drove for the price asked and as a classic it looks very sporty 70´s style wich the mitsubishi 2.0L smaller than it´s big brother eclipse was very similar in the 90´s ,wich was in my opinion better to drive than the eclipse from the same year, to big to handle in european roads, in the U.S. i don´t know ,they didn´t refer even to the 300zx smaller brother the sx1.8L turbo or 2.0L non turbo wich was more similar to Z early cars and very fun to drive,in my opinion the 2.0L was better without a turbo wich is not good if roads aren´t larger without turns, it jumps ,even when it´s not needed to, but i did love the 300ZX as one of the best cars of the 90´s and many others from diferent brands were not as good as like the last Z 3.0L wasn´t fast as the 300zx ,maybe that was the reason of not selling the expected ,compared to the 300zx twin turbo was really slow, but newer, it might start faster but a few meters ahead it´s good bye , regards
It does look rather tasty.
My dad had a 432Z about 50 years ago in Japan when I was kid.
He was really loved sports cars.
Coool!
My dad passed on his ‘77 280z to me. I’m 14 now and man I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of it! Great Video man really enjoyed it!!
so jealous. Take care of that car, man.
Ahhh, there's a future👍👍
cool
@@fuzzblightyear145 Don't worry. He is going to crash, just like the movies
Did you get all the rust fixed? Rocker panels, wheel wells, suspensions
I still remember how stunning and futuristic the z32 300zx tt looked at introduction in 1990. I almost fainted when i sat in one as a teen at a car show. It was unbelievably gorgeous in its day and still looks beautiful. The throaty growl of its v6 tt is still addictive.
Z32 is the best Z!
@@TheMICMusicInspirationChannel Yes :D
I love Japanese cars. Had to sell my Colt III a few years ago because the emission tax got too high. Those damn taxes. 😭
as a proud 280z owner, i can confirm theyre honestly still brilliant today! Ive had it for a decade now myself and i love it to bits even if its always a work in progress. So fun to drive.
I remember seeing a Nissan 300Z in the 1980’s & thinking that was an iconic design!
My buddy has a 240z in his garage in really good condition
@@noahchristensen1630 i have one which doesn't have any rust
@@thijs1415 his doesnt have run from what I can see it's been in a garage most its life i dont think it even had 50k miles on it there nice he said one day he will let me drive it so I'm hoping that day comes
@@noahchristensen1630 stoped cars for that time ,it needs to be opened and substitute all weaker parts , it will feel very slow compared to his specifications ,it´s one of the current problems with 2nd hand ferraris they get slow, they are made to be running not stoped, if one car is driven for a lot of years and one is stoped, the one with thousands of km´s or miles if well maintained is far faster and better, normally older people buy ferraris as a 2nd car to be driven at some weekends or holidays , it destroys the engine either than getting slower, the horses want to run they run faster from a car stopped than a driven one, regards
I LOVED the 83-86 300ZX when I was a kid in 6th grade! My first favorite car ever. The “eyelid” semi-pop-up headlights were the coolest thing ever! I got 300 ZX brochure from the local Nissan dealer. It was so beautiful in the movie “Blind Date” with Bruce Willis and Kim Basinger. And in the 80’s cartoon Mask. I always wished my parents would buy one.
First Z I drove was a good friend’s ‘71 240Z in English Racing Green. Beautiful head-turner and a blast to drive on twisting 2-lane roads. I later owned a ‘79 280ZX in the two-tone blue/silver special addition, and then an ‘83 Turbo (my favorite). While I loved all of them for reliability, the thin metal was always a major rust-attracter, especially in the climates I live.
I been becoming more fascinated in learning everything about these cars in the recent years, I've grown up with a 280zx just sitting in my driveway and its soon going to be my first car
Wow! Hi from New Zealand!
I’ve just discovered your channel and love it. Great to see many cars you’ve featured that I’ve grown up with from my youth growing up in the seventies as a kid.
I’ve owned every Cortina except the MK1, owned various Capri models from MK1 V4 GT, MK2 2lt Pinto and 3lt V6 models.
I also owned a1986 white 300zx turbo t-top 5speed manual with 220kph speedo which was unique having never seeing another of this combination here in NZ as you stated that they only imported the non turbo model to Aus/NZ. It was a great car being the fastest and most luxurious car I had driven at that stage in my younger years (early 20’s) and that long front bonnet /bumper came in handy when I misjudged a 50kph bend at 90kph and ploughed through the barrier into a stand of trees writing the car off! I barely felt the impact but the car definitely came off the worse.
Great videos to binge watch on a rainy winter Sunday reminiscing about the good old days as a young lad blasting around the back streets of south Auckland (no compulsory insurance so you could get your driver’s license at 15years old and drive a V8 if you wanted} life was so much simpler back then. I’m surprised I survived!
Keep up the great work, I’ve really enjoyed the visual journey back in motoring history of some of the greatest cars of our past.👍🏼
Glad you're enjoying the videos Brian!
Thank you for another good video from a happy owner of 350Z Nismo.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Be careful I wrapped an 04 model around a telephone pole , Keep it under 100 mph ,front tire blew out
I am a lifetime Nissan enthusiast, have owned many and 2nd owner of a mint ‘90 Z32. I was looking forward to this episode and you did not disappoint! Thank you!
Absolutely love your channel, been binge watching it like crazy. Your voice is absolutely calming and clear. And the way you convey information is perfect.
Also the 300 ZX along with the 3000 GT by Mitsubishi are two of my favorite hot Japanese fast fast machines ever. Both look absolutely fantastic even 20 plus years later.
Glad you're enjoying it Admiral(!).
Love all generations of the Z/ZX, but especially the Z32. Looking forward to seeing the next generation when it debuts. Great presentation too!
Great video! Bought a "28-ounce" Datsun new in '77. Still have it. Still love it. Really enjoy your channel and so appreciate the obvious effort you put into every post. Thank you!
Thanks - this one took a long time to make!
I had a 77 with the 5-speed manual. Fun times.
@@dantesinfernopurgatory7826 👍
HAVE you priced the transistor modules lately? nearly all the nissan parts for 280Zs are crazy expensive.
@@tommurphy4307 The older we get, the more we need in the budget for upkeep if we're gonna stay on the road. Sad, but true.
I've always loved everything automotive and I grew up during the Z's heyday. So I truly love the Z family and I thoroughly enjoyed this historical perspective.
I finally found a Z to call my own, a 350Z Roadster in La Mans Sunset orange. And just like that, driving is fun again!
HAVE FUN RUINING (AND BUYING) TIRES
@@tommurphy4307 Kill joy.
It’s a great car, fun to drive and reliable with the look of a super car.
Ahhh, my Big Car fix 😋
Loved these cars when I was a kid
The first 280z and the latest generation newest Nismo Z are my favourite’s. Naturally aspirated manual transmission they are a dream to drive
Such a comprehensive approach produces great exposés. Thank you for the good work.
Great video, especially the history part. Thank you!
I remember when i was a kid in the 70's seeing the odd Z car parked up. they seemed impossibly exotic. In about 1981 there used to be a lime green one parked up on my way to school. A horrible colour but so of the period. By 1982 it was a rusted hulk...Ahhh Datsun.
haha..it was this colour!! 11:10
I bought a 280Z in the late 1980's and hv never got over the feeling of driving it. One morning I realised it had been broken into and it was like an assault on a family member.
I still think of my 280Z car with great memories.
Thank you Japan!
A married couple showed up at our house with a brand new, fully loaded white 300zx back in 1984 (I’d just turned 15), w/digital instruments!
I’m still feeling the insanely exciting effects of seeing, touching, hearing and smelling it for the very first time … to this very day!
Another excellent video, great history, great images! Thank you!👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great stuff ! Not a single Z , I don't like . That designer guy ; what a legend 👌
indeed he also designed a new Z Called The Phantom Z Sport Wagon
It would be great to see a video on the rise and fall of pop up headlights (no pun intended)
Well we've got the title of the video! Yes, that would be a fun one to do.
@@BigCar2 can you beg/borrow/steal footage from Ronald Finger's channel for this?
Sir, I just LOVE your videos! Thank you very much.
Z ! Not Zeeee Nice one. Another fantastic video - and the music intro is fun too. Sort of an in joke for us old ones. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
Exactly!
An excellent historical presentation for such an iconic car, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
It is always a pleasure to watch your content: well-researched, soberly presented, and highly informative.
Great vlog as always. The 240z is iconic. The two Nissan I have driven is the 100A, my mothers, and the Bluebird. The car I learned to drive in. Be safe, and stay safe my friend!
Another quality, informative video. Thank you big car, i look forward to the next.
Glad you enjoyed it
This is a Great channel for historical car documentaries. Detailed research and analysis !
Great vid yet again. Been a lover of the 240z since I received one for my scalextric at Chirstmas 1973
I had a 280 Z. My Beautiful Beast. Thanks for the memories.
Datsun! Datsun! It was always that for me up to the early 1980's!!!
Excellent video and thanks for uploading!!!
Glad you enjoyed it!
The theme from Zed Cars, I see what you did there.
Whats Z Cars?
Nicely edited, eloquently narrated, and so watchable. Even if the car featured isn't one of my favourites, I can still enjoy the video. Thank you.
The all-electric dashboard was also a feature of a popular yet *DEADLY* hot hatch of the 80s: the Fiat Uno Turbo.
There, i gave some inputs for a future car story
I remember racing against an uno turbo in my xr3i, it beat me.....easy!
i bought one new and i was amazed with it, but sold it in less than a year , just to try it and it was a real death car .The kids who´s fathers had money to buy one , were at a certain point lucky because when you ask for a car and the dad hears fiat uno ,ok , but was the death of much 18 years old young man, the same happened with the polo g40 from VW, that the reason they are so rare now and most of the ones for sale were made from bits of wrecked cars with a good chassi or not, regards
The Uno Turbo was one of the most luxuos cars in Brazil in the 90s, we didn't have any factory-turbored car until then, it was just awesome and a dream to every single teenager here
Sadly the eletronic panel was never here, to cut expenses I think, but still, it was our super-sporty car at that time
I know I always say it, but another great video. Great research and presentation. Thank you.
Thanks! A lot of work went into this one.
Thank you. These are always the best.
Ah the old Z Cars theme tune at the start, I saw what you did there :)
Yeah - a little easter egg for people like me that could remember it.
yes I noticed that too, probably have to be "a certain age" to know it though :)
Not forgetting that its also the Everton FC theme tune - thanks for that!
Can u give the timestamp
16 seconds in.
I loved the transition thru the years at the end of the video.
Great mini doco. So many pics and videos well put together. Also good not be yelled at. Top work IMHO
Thanks!
Good topic, interesting and well presented. Many of my tech colleagues back in the day had Datsun Zs. All these beautiful cars and all I can remember is the Cray CS6400 :)
Been waiting for this one!
Great video! In the mid 80's, my mother had a 70 240Z and a few years later I bought a 71. I didn't get to enjoy that car as much as I would have liked, and to own one now is a not so small investment (if you can find one in good shape).
I was today years old when learning the reason why the name Datsun was used. Thank you. Always loved the early versions of this car.
As an Everton fan, I approve of the soundtrack LOL - Hope you and Mrs Big/Little car are staying well
We've had a 1970 240Z in the family since the 70s... second owner. It was a cool car then and still is! It has been garaged for a long time but could very well be going back on the road based on recent discussions. It hadn't occurred to me that it's had its 50th birthday until I saw this video!
280ZX 79-83. My favourite car. Love the design.
Grew up with a friend who drove a 300zx in high school. We went every where with that car. With the T-top down, a truly a great memory of my teen age years. When I had my first job, got a 92 NSX and that took it to another level.
Happy memories! I had a 280Z and a 300ZX in the 1990s. Brilliant cars.
Ahh yes, the tea roof, perfect refreshment for a balmy summer evening.
Great video - good job!
Thank you! Excellent video. My favorite is the '89 model. Non turbo. 👍
Had a 72 Z car. Loved it. When driving was fun.
A 1987 Nissan 300ZX (old style) was one of the best cars I ever owned 👍
Big Car ; Always interesting content delivered smoothly - much like Nissan
Wow!This video is wonderful and cool!
Thanks Big Car!
You're welcome!
the best one was the 240Z love the design..
Very cool. My dad had a 260Z and then a 280ZX turbo when I was a kid. Always loved the turbo because it sounded like a jet when the turbo spooled up. Love the Scirocco shirt btw. I had an 86 16v and it was a lot of fun.
12:02 I mean come on, what a beautiful shot, it captures perfectly everything that we love about these cars. I had a 1972 240Z back in 1982 when I was 18. I loved those cars from the first time I saw them as a kid. Now, the one I owned looked great on the outside but underneath it was beat, rusted out. I discovered shortly after I bought it had a crack in the body rail right by the firewall. That was actually a huge problem with them, while they were beautiful and the best bang for the buck as far as looks and performance was concerned the bodies on them rotted out fast and the frames broke unless you were in a nice yearly dry sort of area. I live in Canada and when driven all year round they rusted out really fast. Anyway, I was 18 and at 18 it still felt pretty cool bootin around in it. When I see the price of them now I cry that I didn't keep it and fixed it up.
Great video! Didn’t now the gentleman responsible for the original Z, still got involved with the 350Z even after he retired, what a passionate person about his company and project!
And even after Nissan kicked him down multiple times! He was that dedicated. 😌
Bought a new 1977 208Z immediately after road testing a Toyota Supra - there was no comparison. In three years I put 190,000 km on it and every kilometer was a joy. It was silver in color and looked fantastic. Best of all, it was quiet and comfortable at higher speeds and easy on gas. Surprisingly, it was a good winter car too with excellent handling on snow covered roads (snow tires of course). I sold it when my wife and I had out first born and had to let it go. I'd like another 77, or a 78, but their prices have shot up past my budget. Even today, the 69-78 body style remains a visual delight.
Remember when black vinyl felt cheap?
I remember back in the day we use to put in a 350 Chevy engine in the 260Z, just for fun just like putting the 350 into a Vega.
Your 350 /8 may have had a bit more torque but a worked 2.6 wasn't far behind.... ;)
We had a kid back in H.S. that wrecked his V8 Vega, pulled out the nicest running Chevy 283 and Muncie 4speed out of it and put in a 280z that he got free from a lady that never changed her oil. The only sleeper car at school that could keep up with it (and just barely) was his best friend with a 327 powered AMC Gremlin...
Great video! Very informative & entertaining!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I remember my sister's boyfriend driving a 280z back in the 90s. His father had a 240z with dual carburetors and a mid 80s 2nd generation Toyota Supra all clean Florida car's. That might explain why when the 370 was released in 2009 I ordered a Monterey blue 6 speed with the sports package. That car was so sexy to look at and fun to drive with the Rev matching feature.
Waited ages for this nice one
Wonderful video, thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Love your videos. 99% facts and 1% your opinions which I agree with 99% of the time!
I tend to prefer things that are more factual and don't push opinions, so I always balk a bit when I do put in the opinion bit!
I had a 1987 second-gen 300ZX Z31 2+2 T-top for a while. I loved it.
Hi Andy. As a 14 year old I LUSTED after the sensuous 240Z. We got a gawky 120Y in brilliant red! Superb vid - fantastically well researched and vv. interesting, as always. Carl M. Brum
Enjoyed this video and love my Z👍🏽
Back in the 1980s, when I was working on getting my driver’s licence, the 280ZX was the dream car. In my native Iceland, the guys working on the fishing trawlers all had them and it was the car to have. I never did get one. I’ve had a 72 Mustang and a 2005 Mercedes cabrio, but this… oh, if only.
Love the content. Keep it up👍
Thanks!
Hey that was quite a presentation. I am impressed with your research and the amount of footages that go into this video is absolutely fantastic. The Z is an Impeccable car, love to own one some day. Cheers
Thanks! I had it reviewed by people who know the Z.
Great vdo
240 Z was my dream car in the day
G'day mate! I hope you're doing well. I remember the Datsun Z car and later the Nissan Z cars. My parents had a Datsun 280Z when I was a boy.
My first car was a '72 Z. Loved it!
I have a 370Z Sport and it's the most fun I've ever had with a car. Handling is phenomenal, and the power with only basic bolt on mods is impressive. When you rev it up and dump the clutch at a red light you take off like a rocket. It puts such a smile on my face.
The Z31s also came with 2.0 V6 as well as inline 6 engines in the VG20 and RB20, hat and the S30 are my favorites of the Z line.
Bought my 72 240Z out of a barn, from a guy that lost his license to a DUI. Had no idea what I was buying for $1,800. Bought it on the recommendation of a buddy who was into cars. It was the first car I had that was fun to drive. Banana yellow!
This guy does a really good job with these videos. Well researched and well presented. And I get the impression he enjoys the business of screwing them together. Which he does with style and flair.
He does!
First car I actually learned to work on cars I had a 1976 was my first z car fell in love I'm 48 now been working for Honda for 23 years now and just got my 5th z she doesn't run at the moment but she's beautiful she's a 1979 280zx the year the first back seats were added and the year before the 280zx turbo so she s a catch but she well feel the the wind again
Great video!
I wonder how many of us remember the show that tune came from.😃
Some great history in this one, amazing to think 1 guy was so behind the push that led to these great cars.
Yeah, I recorded the tune on my synth as a little easter egg to those "of an age" who'd remember the show. I was amazed it ran until 1980 or so.
My Uncle Jürgen was a Nissan dealer in the 70's and the Z cars were his showcase cars he really like to demonstrate.
Sir, your channel is hidden gem
Yet another seamless presentation from Mr BigCar.... This guys juju turns AutoHistory into a Beguiling Habit.....
All information is provided by your video is just amazing , presentation is very effective for understanding all aspects. Speech is the most important part of your video. I like your video so much. Keep it up.
Thanks a lot!
I want to know more about Suzuki cars from its manufacturing was started. I am using Maruti Suzuki car from last 12 years. I am very happy with it. And eager to listen about Suzuki history in your peaceful voice.
I remember driving a Z on my honeymoon back in 1987 lol. Driving thru the Sierra Nevada mtns was a blast! Windows down wind blowing thru the car man o man the memories.
Great video again!
Thanks!
Your work surprised me I was expecting a yawn fest....instead it was brisk, informative and entertaining.
That's BIG from a man like me that has driven, Sports Cars ,all my life, and resto modding 2 S30's ,currently.
So ,Thank You !
Thanks 👍
Another great Nissan was the infamous 510 , Nissan was king in the 70’s
The P510 was the car that put Nissan on the map...the Datsun 1600 SSS was an icon in the 70s...a great car indeed.
King in what way? The 510 was a budget copy and paste of the bmw 2002, literally copied suspension and body. The Ford escort , twin cam alfas, and 2002 were all better vehicles in the same vehicles class...... And in the 70s Porsche was dominating endurance and sports car racing, while bmw was dominating touring car with the 2002 and 3.0 CSL......
Here in Germany japanese cars had a bad Reputation till the 1990ies (like the first korean cars or chinese cars now), they where cheap cars for poor people who only need a thing to get from A to B. They are good cars, but it was hard for them to get their foots in the german market. ☺
Miguel Garcia in value. The 510 was 1/2 the price of some of those you mentioned. Datsun also sold more of them. The cars you mentioned are great cars, just more expensive with lower sales.
Nah the 510 was the car that gave Nissan (Datsun) a name in the US. Before that the only people who bought Japanese cars were people on welfare. This car was great, first with a sophisticated independent rear suspension and don’t forget about their success in racing, better than a 1972 maverick, few good small econo boxes then and you didn’t have to have an excuse for driving one, definitely a great car and a trend setter.