Nissan's Ama-Z-ing Sports Car!

[@BigCar2]

Erratum: The 300ZX convertible was 1992, not 1982. The subtitles show it correctly.

[@ralphsmallblock4367]

Datsun 280Z are the 👑 of the Zee car with fuel injection 5 speed transmission’s bigger differential. 😎✌️

[@CLee-oo9yl]

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

[@markbennett6658]

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!

[@BigCar2]

@@markbennett6658 en.wheelsage.org/nissan/fairlady/s30/42029/pictures

[@markbennett6658]

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

[@wilburmcbride8096]

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.

[@marcwest7673]

The 240Z is one of those cars that make you fall in love instantly when you put your eyes on them.

[@shebbs1]

Plus a damn fine car to drive!

[@jonnycando]

And quite reliable too!

[@bandvitromaniaios1307]

Oh yes the Devil

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@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

[@MajorT0m]

It does look rather tasty.

[@vlogfuji]

My dad had a 432Z about 50 years ago in Japan when I was kid. He was really loved sports cars.

[@TheFarCobra]

Coool!

[@sunilayya8948]

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.

[@TheMICMusicInspirationChannel]

Z32 is the best Z!

[@StigDesign]

@@TheMICMusicInspirationChannel Yes :D

[@Snocone333]

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.

[@bananenrepublikdeutschland9043]

I love Japanese cars. Had to sell my Colt III a few years ago because the emission tax got too high. Those damn taxes. 😭

[@Super-tb9tp]

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!

[@SMX815]

I remember seeing a Nissan 300Z in the 1980’s & thinking that was an iconic design!

[@noahchristensen1630]

My buddy has a 240z in his garage in really good condition

[@thijs1415]

@@noahchristensen1630 i have one which doesn't have any rust

[@noahchristensen1630]

@@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

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@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

[@perfectsplit5515]

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.

[@admiraltiberius1989]

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.

[@BigCar2]

Glad you're enjoying it Admiral(!).

[@Primus54]

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.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

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!

[@BigCar2]

Thanks - this one took a long time to make!

[@dantesinfernopurgatory7826]

I had a 77 with the 5-speed manual. Fun times.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

@@dantesinfernopurgatory7826 👍

[@tommurphy4307]

HAVE you priced the transistor modules lately? nearly all the nissan parts for 280Zs are crazy expensive.

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

@@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.

[@watermelonlogic9398]

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

[@philiphema2678]

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!

[@brianrose666]

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.👍🏼

[@BigCar2]

Glad you're enjoying the videos Brian!

[@67tomcat]

Love all generations of the Z/ZX, but especially the Z32. Looking forward to seeing the next generation when it debuts. Great presentation too!

[@simonlloyd7557]

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

[@andrewnorth4857]

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.

[@TL98]

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

[@reubendobbs8011]

I remember racing against an uno turbo in my xr3i, it beat me.....easy!

[@RUfromthe40s]

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

[@Someone_that_is_very_tired]

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

[@VladoT]

Thank you for another good video from a happy owner of 350Z Nismo.

[@BigCar2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Ancientcaptain]

Be careful I wrapped an 04 model around a telephone pole , Keep it under 100 mph ,front tire blew out

[@lcprivatepilot1969]

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!

[@denmann364]

It’s a great car, fun to drive and reliable with the look of a super car.

[@ralphsmallblock4367]

The first 280z and the latest generation newest Nismo Z are my favourite’s. Naturally aspirated manual transmission they are a dream to drive

[@geek9642]

It would be great to see a video on the rise and fall of pop up headlights (no pun intended)

[@BigCar2]

Well we've got the title of the video! Yes, that would be a fun one to do.

[@RoamingAdhocrat]

@@BigCar2 can you beg/borrow/steal footage from Ronald Finger's channel for this?

[@stevenjones3822]

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

[@vanvinos]

Such a comprehensive approach produces great exposés. Thank you for the good work.

[@benjames648]

Ahhh, my Big Car fix 😋 Loved these cars when I was a kid

[@tomsmith5216]

I wish I hadn't let my wife talk me into getting rid of my '76 280Z. It was far from showroom, but damn, what a kick in the a** to drive!! I lusted after the '79 280ZX, such clean lines. They ruined it when they made the 2+2, which messed up the look of the fastback, and I was never a fan of T-tops

[@billcollins7009]

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!

[@tommurphy4307]

HAVE FUN RUINING (AND BUYING) TIRES

[@653j521]

@@tommurphy4307 Kill joy.

[@carloscarpinteyro332]

An excellent historical presentation for such an iconic car, thank you!

[@BigCar2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

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!

[@mikewhiles4635]

Z ! Not Zeeee Nice one. Another fantastic video - and the music intro is fun too. Sort of an in joke for us old ones. 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@BigCar2]

Exactly!

[@shaunw9270]

Great stuff ! Not a single Z , I don't like . That designer guy ; what a legend 👌

[@Insect_Expert1489]

indeed he also designed a new Z Called The Phantom Z Sport Wagon

[@plumerjr]

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.

[@sangkang6294]

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.

[@Johnnywhamo]

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.

[@johngrossbohlin7582]

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!

[@melesmelesfaber3866]

Datsun! Datsun! It was always that for me up to the early 1980's!!!

[@cdb989]

280ZX 79-83. My favourite car. Love the design.

[@ecologicaladam7262]

A 1987 Nissan 300ZX (old style) was one of the best cars I ever owned 👍

[@loonyhap8043]

the best one was the 240Z love the design..

[@ricardoubo8947]

This is a Great channel for historical car documentaries. Detailed research and analysis !

[@GixxerRider1991]

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.

[@mm7241]

Great mini doco. So many pics and videos well put together. Also good not be yelled at. Top work IMHO

[@BigCar2]

Thanks!

[@morenofranco9235]

I had a 280 Z. My Beautiful Beast. Thanks for the memories.

[@brahilly]

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.

[@DAVIDE-bk8by]

The theme from Zed Cars, I see what you did there.

[@1972dsrai]

Whats Z Cars?

[@hynestimothy411]

Another great Nissan was the infamous 510 , Nissan was king in the 70’s

[@MrGoogelaar]

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.

[@MiguelGarcia-vj7oo]

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......

[@marcbaur677]

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. ☺

[@edwarddegalan107]

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.

[@hynestimothy411]

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.

[@ricoremo4907]

I'd like to see manufacturers make cars of old design with modern mechanicals and electronics. That will be the most ideal-a true return to the roots...

[@agusbasmagi2605]

Well, that was the 400z concept. It was a mixture of the Z's generations

[@allanlees299]

It is always a pleasure to watch your content: well-researched, soberly presented, and highly informative.

[@MajorT0m]

Ahh yes, the tea roof, perfect refreshment for a balmy summer evening.

[@drawbardave6591]

Happy memories! I had a 280Z and a 300ZX in the 1990s. Brilliant cars.

[@cmadk3423]

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.

[@NewbombTurk.]

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).

[@martymeyer4125]

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!

[@mustafabeer1791]

Ah the old Z Cars theme tune at the start, I saw what you did there :)

[@BigCar2]

Yeah - a little easter egg for people like me that could remember it.

[@ThePsiclone]

yes I noticed that too, probably have to be "a certain age" to know it though :)

[@NicholasSadlier]

Not forgetting that its also the Everton FC theme tune - thanks for that!

[@Tom-li9xq]

Can u give the timestamp

[@mustafabeer1791]

16 seconds in.

[@rtta51]

Had a 72 Z car. Loved it. When driving was fun.

[@tomarmstrong1281]

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.

[@BigCar2]

He does!

[@OktoberFilms]

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.

[@Tech-Nobby]

As an Everton fan, I approve of the soundtrack LOL - Hope you and Mrs Big/Little car are staying well

[@tinniswood2577]

Drooled over the 240z brand new in the local Datsun dealers. Still think the shape is mighty fine.

[@rapidsqualor5367]

I loved the transition thru the years at the end of the video.

[@MindDezign]

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 !

[@BigCar2]

Thanks 👍

[@Christian---]

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.

[@trampslikeus3575]

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.

[@iainshallish2631]

Your 350 /8 may have had a bit more torque but a worked 2.6 wasn't far behind.... ;)

[@stephenkeebler732]

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...

[@CAMARSHALL144]

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

[@NEWCASTLE-UNITED-1892]

300zx is one of the most stunning cars ever its aged really well. That toyota 2000gt though 👍🏻

[@RUfromthe40s]

Is it´s only name 2000 GT ? i don´t remenber the model just know the celica and the celica supra or the MR-2, it´s more related with nissan 200SX (with turbo only 1.8L)this talking about the same type as the nissans from the same years, regards

[@tommurphy4307]

i think there were about 100 times more early Zs built than 200GTs

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@tommurphy4307 that is for sure ,regards

[@richcoleman469]

I wanted a 240Z when I got out of the USAF in '71 and still do

[@rochellecrozier2372]

I have a 1977 Datsun 280 Z...all aridgenal.. people going down the hwys keep trying to buy it.. oldman loves it..

[@maciejszumny6919]

Great video, especially the history part. Thank you!

[@Cammi_Rosalie]

I miss my '86 300ZX When everyone in my town either didn't drive, or just drove minivans or econo-boxes, I had a 300ZX. Tuned up, 50-16's all 'round, upgraded exhaust, suspension and cooling. The dude I bought it from, came from money. So he and his brother got it all tuned up, had all the performance upgrades and such installed. They shared the car for like 2 years, but decided they were Dodge truck guys after that. So the ZX sat out in the back yard for several years. Only fired up when they wanted to do donuts out in their back field. Finally, they put it up for sale. 500 bucks. Just a little rust here & there, mud caked in the undercarriage. But it ran... oh boy did that s.o.b run! T-tops, 5-speed, red. Plus a sweet little "GT" steering wheel. My first test drive was a memorable experience. I was used to a Chevy Blazer, or a Buick Century. I hit the road in that ZX and damn near wet myself after turning the thing sideways right out of the driveway. "SOLD!" I took it home and cleaned it up. It cleaned up really nice. I had a LOT of fun in that car. I scared a friend half to death, because she kept nagging me to "just put it in "D" and stop playing with the lever." Because .."..all cars have "D"! They always had since they were invented in the 50's!" She also thought the clutch was the brakes and freaked out when I pushed in the pedal and the car didn't stop.. After about 20 minutes of endless nagging about putting it in "D" and how there was "..no such thing as a car without "D"!" and how my car was "broken and rigged with a second brake that didn't even work.." and "I know these things! My brothers are mechanics! " etc etc.. I finally took her home. Via a long stretch of empty hi-way, at 145 MPH. after drifting the entire on-ramp.. She screamed the whole time. - Many night-time runs down a hi-way with the t-tops out and some Ozzy or Metallica blasting. Lots of hugging the corners of winding backroads. Damn, it was a fun car! Sadly, the car developed an electrical gremlin that eventually lead to a fire that destroyed the car. Out in the middle of nowhere.. no phone service.. All I could do was toss out what I could save, and sit on the side of the road and watch it burn while I cried like a baby.

[@tjls]

Another excellent video, great history, great images! Thank you!👍

[@BigCar2]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@catjudo1]

My grandfather owned a silver 240Z when he could get one in Dallas, then later a 260Z. Don't you know that six year old me was absolutely determined to get that car, as it was one of the prettiest things I had seen, in green? When he sold it to his neighbor a couple of years later, I was very put out. Fast forward ten years and I had driven out to visit my grandparents and I looked out the front window. Across the street was the 260Z. Out the door I went. The car was still in good shape, excepting the worn paint and a crack in the dash (It's Texas and the sun is brutal on cars). It had been taken care of and was still going strong. I never saw the car again, but seeing her one last time was like running into an old girlfriend for which there are fond memories. She's still beautiful, but the thin lines show that time has passed, and even though she is with someone else now, seeing her again brings a smile.

[@grahamclews1571]

I owned a 1978 Datsun 280Z in the mid 90s when I lived in the USA... it is the one car that I regret selling.

[@danielstickney2400]

I had a '75 280Z. My brother had a '74 260Z. I did all of my own and most of my brother's maintenance., including new engines in both cars. Nissan made running changes during production, which meant that in order to get parts you had to give the dealer the year, serial number, and production month (mine was built in April). The most famous of these changes was the mid 1974 where they widened the entire chassis: the early 260s are built on the narrower 240 chassis and the later 260Zs on the wider 280Z chassis. The factory service manual was well over 300 pages, the Haynes service manual was a joke (it listed the oil capacity in imperial pints). The Bosch fuel injection had a ridiculously large computer in the driver's footwell with either a 64 or 128 (I forget) wire connector, diagnosis required checking each pin and wire with a ohm meter. Cracked and corroded engine harness wires were a constant headache. Finally, the lightweight high strength steel was extremely prone to corrosion meaning they rusted out at the drop of a hat. Mine had to have a whole new floor welded into it. I probably spent as much time wrenching on mine as I did driving it, though mine had been used pretty hard before I got it. I'd love to have another one but I sure wouldn't want to have that one back!

[@lazycalm41]

I would love an immaculate 240Z today over just about any other sports coupe from that era. Maybe a MK1 Capri 3000E might dissuade me but the 240 was gorgeous!

[@MrFlyingguy]

Big Car ; Always interesting content delivered smoothly - much like Nissan

[@stuartleckie]

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.

[@BigCar2]

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.

[@rayaspo4893]

Another quality, informative video. Thank you big car, i look forward to the next.

[@BigCar2]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@mibfox]

Sir, I just LOVE your videos! Thank you very much.

[@alexandermathar7780]

My Uncle Jürgen was a Nissan dealer in the 70's and the Z cars were his showcase cars he really like to demonstrate.

[@TheHorsebox2]

I know I always say it, but another great video. Great research and presentation. Thank you.

[@BigCar2]

Thanks! A lot of work went into this one.

[@prepperjonpnw6482]

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.

[@robmuzz]

I had a 1987 second-gen 300ZX Z31 2+2 T-top for a while. I loved it.

[@MrMarty77]

Remember when black vinyl felt cheap?

[@salihahzem]

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!

[@ooohhenrybmblm]

And even after Nissan kicked him down multiple times! He was that dedicated. 😌

[@theotherebikeguy1473]

I had a 260Z and after a friend had a 240. I bought it cheap as the transmission was locked in 4th gear. I took off the shifter and manually pushed the exposed fork into neutral, reinstalled the shifter and never had the problem again. Many miles later I cashed in and sold it for a huge profit.

[@duckhive]

quite possibly the most beautiful car ever produced ?

[@jakekaywell5972]

Since beauty is an inherently subjective thing, I would argue no.

[@livinginvancouverbc2247]

15:36 I had a 1982 280ZX that I bought in '84. Painted it silver. It was a sweet car. T-roofs, exotic, and a an Alpine phone. That car got me some... you know, girls. My current car is a 2014 Challenger R/T with only 80,000 kms (50,000 miles) on it. I keep her in excellent shape.

[@wadestipp1833]

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.

[@dongordon4464]

I got to drive 240Zs right off the showroom floor in Hemet, CA. We took them out onto the street, brought it up to red line and dumped the clutch. We delivered them to a Japanese leasing company in L.A. Needless to say they were broke-in by the time we got there. At that time '74-'75 we went looking for new Corvettes usually we could shut them down.

[@christophermatthias3327]

I Remember. Garth Crooks Tottenham striker at the time stuck in traffic one Saturday afternoon on White Hart Lane junction with Tottenham High Rd on his way to a game in his 240Z back in the day he was escorted through by the police. I still like them to this day.

[@leno4920]

Yet another seamless presentation from Mr BigCar.... This guys juju turns AutoHistory into a Beguiling Habit.....

[@PaulEdgewatertheman]

Love your videos. 99% facts and 1% your opinions which I agree with 99% of the time!

[@BigCar2]

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!

[@richardc1792]

My first car was a '72 Z. Loved it!

[@dats3]

My dad had a '83 280zx. I remember as a kid wanting learn how to drive it, but he totaled it when I was 12. He was fine btw. My first car was a 1979 Datsun 210 which was slow as hell, but as a 16 year old in 1990 I was glad to have it. My next car was a Honda Accord (1980 2 door hatchback). I bought it used of course but it took me across the US three times before the head gasket blew. Honestly, the Honda was my favorite and I've been a Honda customer ever since. While in college and after my Honda died I bought a Ford Taurus and owned it for barely a year. It sucked and it broke down a lot. Then I bought a Nissan Frontier. What a truck. I loved that car so much and kept it for almost 10 years. Now the only cars I buy are Honda and Nissan. Great, reliable cars No more Fords or GM cars.

[@abhijeetvaze2845]

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.

[@BigCar2]

Thanks a lot!

[@abhijeetvaze2845]

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.

[@graycav56]

A car on my bucket list! A buddy had a 240, a teacher a 260 and I fell in love.

[@mikester1290]

Fell in love with the car?

[@graycav56]

Mike Creed The teacher was our football, wrestling and track coach named Ed. 😉

[@trey1531]

I can't believe we went from fighting the Japanese to buying their cars so quickly. It's great we are able to set aside our past.

[@perfectsplit5515]

I can’t believe there was actually a time when Japanese products were perceived as “inferior”???!!!

[@ridanann]

If Britain had invented the pizza you'd still be speaking English now lol also since the Invention of the Brownie I want to speak American cultural exchange via capitalism is technically the only thing that keeps humans behaving internationally. the oldest signs of whiskey brewing our in India what the hell my lot worth doing in India thousands and thousands of years ago to bring whisky back to where people assume it was invented I can only answer with the same reason yanks by Japanese cars capitalism is a force of nature. that's why you gotta regulate otherwise you'll end up with a garage full of stuff and no food individualist socialist Collective capitalism balance

[@pauldavies1863]

Loved this one. Would be interested if it had branched off to show the 240Z rolling chassis in the 1979 240KGT (aka Skyline mk1), it bred another line of great cars. Loved driving the 240KGT, mechanically superb for the year, but like all of this time, RUST!!!

[@kaitospence18]

Skyline Mk1? You mean Skyline Mk5?

[@tomupward9012]

One of these days there’ll be a 370Z on my driveway. When I own a driveway. Great vid!!

[@vincedibona4687]

Whatever, Kyle Miller.