The Z31 would be Nissan’s last “classic” Z-car, at least as defined as a direct decendant with a resemblance to the original 240Z, or Fairlady Z as they were known elsewhere. This crisp and clean 1988 Nissan 300ZX is described as being almost museum quality and I would have to agree. It can be found here on eBay in Winchester, California and the current bid price is $9,300 but the reserve isn’t met yet.
Most of us recognize this shape as a classic Datsun 240Z/260Z/280Z shape. The Z31 300ZX would be the last to have this body style before Nissan moved upscale a bit with the Z32 300ZX, an incredible car that is a future collectible, in my opinion. Not that this incredible car isn’t also collectible, especially in almost like-new condition.
I recently owned a 1983 Datsun-Nissan Sentra from the year when Nissan was phasing out the Datsun name in North America. The Nissan 300ZX came here in late-1983 as a 1984 model so the Datsun name was now officially gone. This particular car does look like it’s in museum quality condition, doesn’t it? It would be a shame to park it rather than removing the t-tops and driving it as it was meant to do.
That’s a fairly complicated steering wheel for 1988. Japanese cars from this era are famous for having a sea of tiny buttons, not exactly super friendly to operate with big winter gloves on. I hope that this isn’t a car that ever gets driven in the slushy, salty winter. As everyone else is doing, I’m looking for excessive wear and other things that would take away from the museum-quality claim. That’s just a natural human trait to want to prove someone wrong, I wonder why that is?
The engine is Nissan’s new V6, a VG30E with around 165 horsepower. There was also a turbo model with around 200 horsepower and that would have been even better as far as collectibility. This car has just under 61,000 miles on it so it’s not a low-mile car but there are three owners listed and it’s amazing that it’s been kept in this condition for over 30 years. Have any of you owned a 300ZX?
Nice car. I would be excited if it were the turbo but… I have an 88 Maxima with the same engine as this NA 300ZX. While is refined and a nice engine for the Maxima, it is far from exhilarating for a so-called sports car. On the other hand, my 81 280ZX turbo has some soul!
Someone’s baby – why aren’t all used cars like this
This one is perfect to keep waxed in the garage but also take out for a spin on the weekends.
Where can This be found for sale.? Can’t find it anywhere
Click on the ebay link above. It takes you directly to it.
Winchester is southeast of San Bernadino off the 215 freeway (east of Lake Elsinore)
The ad says it has an automatic transmission. It clearly is standard in the pictures. I hope the pictures are the car that is for sale. If it is someone really took good care of this 60,000 mile car. If it were not white, I would bid on it. Magnificent car!
I think Nissan Z-car “jumped the shark” when they added the “X” in 1979, and it didn’t recover until 1990. Seems like they were always driven by middle-aged accountants who were trying to be “cool” without going all the way. Kind of like the guys who bought their Harley-Davidson Sportster and their first leather jacket on the same day.
That being said, this is a lovely example of a car that generally doesn’t get much love.
Auction update: this one ended at $10,200 and no sale.