| In the 1970's the US experienced a pretty significant recession. Datsun and Mazda came along at the right time with the 240Z & RX-7 to give americans Porsche 911 performance on, well, a datsun budget. Throughout the 70's, the Z cars largely remained the same. There were increases in displacement to keep up with emissions regulations and the added weight of collision standards, but to the untrained eye, there is little discernable difference between the 240z and 280z. Towards the end of the 1970's, the outlook for world markets improved. In order to compete for the everyman dollar, Datsun needed to ensure that the Z car line was going to stand shoulder to shoulder with the Corvette, Camaro, Mustang, and european competition as well. That means gadgets and power. By 1978, the Z as we knew it was extinct. the ZX ushered in a new era, catering to global excess. A turbocharger was added in 81, and in 84 the (all new) Anniversary edition 300ZX turbo had a talking lady and seats that vibrated with the stereo. The 80's RX-7, Supra, Skyline and 300ZX were now competing neck and neck in a war for dollars. Nissan had developed the RB & VG series of engines and the cars were wildly successful. In 1989, Nissan established themselves as the world beater, sending everyone back to the drawing boards. They released not one, but two super cars, the Z32 and R32. Both were wildly successful, but only one would move on in its logical evolutionary path. The internal infighting between the Z & Skyline camps is well known and eventually a sinking US dollar lead to the death of the ZX line. So, in 03, just a few years after the last Z32 was made, and while some Z32's were still in showrooms, we have the 350Z, a 'reset' of the Z car line. Nissan is now leveraging the R35 globally, setting it as THE Nissan Supercar, and the Z will retake its place competing with the original spirit of the 911, the Porsche Cayman. Thats how I see the evolution anyways. I believe Mr K has reflected on some of the failures of the Z car, and wishes that the model line had stayed a little closer to its roots, like the Miata.
1993 Ultra Red Z32 TT Convertible
2003 R50 2+2 4WD 
"boobies have power" - Bernie(NoVA) |
02:14:07 11/28/10
