Lot 345: 1990 Nissan 300ZX Coupé

There had been Datsun sports cars before the 240Z, most notably the Fairlady series, but with the ‘Big Z’s arrival in 1969 the Japanese firm established itself as a major player in the sports/GT market. Boasting a 2.4-litre, overhead-camshaft, six-cylinder engine, five-speed manual (or three-speed automatic) transmission, independent suspension all round and a high trim level as standard, the keenly priced 240Z proved an outstanding success in the all-important North American market. 2.6-litre 260Z and 2.8-litre 280Z models followed before the last-of-the-line 300ZX arrived in 1984, by which time the cars were being marketed under the parent company’s name - Nissan. The 300ZX was powered by a 2,960cc version of the long-running OHC six producing 170bhp when normally aspirated or 228 horsepower in turbocharged form. Bigger and – inevitably – heavier with each succeeding model, the ‘Big Z’ had followed a well-trodden path, becoming more of a luxury GT than out-and-out sports car as development progressed. Its popularity though, remained undiminished and when production ceased in 1990 a total of 798,450 300ZXs had been sold.
Finished in red with black interior, this manual transmission Nissan 300ZX ‘T’-roof Coupé has been in the last owner’s possession for the past four years and comes with a full complement of expired MoTs confirming the recorded mileage of circa 79,000. Presented in generally excellent condition and reported to drive as well as it looks, the car is offered with service booklet, owner’s manual, MoT to 29th October 2008 and Swansea V5 registration document. No reserve.