Datsun 280ZX Overview

The Datsun 280ZX debuted to mixed reviews despite strong sales. Its evolution from a budget sports car into a more luxurious touring vehicle drew criticism from purists but earned it mainstream appeal, including Motor Trend’s 1979 Car of the Year award. That same year, Datsun launched a special edition 280ZX-R, featuring a high-downforce spoiler and ZX-R insignia, though mechanically it remained unchanged.

1980

1980 introduced optional T-tops and the release of 3,000 10th Anniversary Editions. Of these, 2,500 came in black-and-gold, while just 500 were offered in a rare black-and-red scheme. These special models included leather interiors, color-matched wheel inserts, and other premium touches.

1981

The year saw the debut of the turbocharged 280ZXT, which rivaled the performance of high-end European cars and was among the fastest Japanese imports of its time. It featured a single Garrett T3 turbo, adjusted compression ratios, reinforced internals, and was only available with a 3-speed 3N71B automatic transmission. However, its softened suspension led to widespread criticism for poor handling in corners.

1982–1983

Significant upgrades came in 1982. Both turbo and naturally aspirated models received rack-and-pinion steering, replacing the older recirculating ball system. Power steering became standard, new alloy wheels were introduced, and styling updates were made to the hood scoops and pillar trim. Most importantly, the turbo model was finally offered with a 5-speed manual transmission and suspension tweaks corrected the previous year's handling flaws.