The Fairlady Z introduced the first generation of Z Cars when it was introduced in 1969. The FairladyZ, sometimes referred to as the Datsun 240Z or “Z-car,” served as Nissan’s global brand ambassador for nine years during its production. It set a record for sports cars within a single model by selling more than 520,000 units.
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The name Fairlady’s etymology
The development of the sports automobile in Japan is closely related to the Fairlady heritage. Katsuji Kawamata, the president of Nissan at the time, was visiting the US in 1961 when he heard about the long-running Broadway musical “My Fair Lady.” The President decided it would be a good idea to name the automobile “Fairlady” in the hopes that it would prove to be as well-liked at the time as the Datsun sports car (SPL213) that Nissan was intending to introduce in North America.
The Datsun Sports (S211), which the Fairlady replaced, had been well-liked when it was displayed at the Los Angeles Imported Car Show two years previously, in 1959. The new name given to this enhanced version helped with the promotion because exports to the US had only recently begun, which led to a spike in sales.
Launched in 1961, the SPL213 was the first-generation Fairlady and featured a 1,189cc engine with 60 PS. The SP310, which is frequently misidentified as the first-generation model, was actually released the year after; it cost 850,000 yen and had a 1,488cc engine (71PS). In 1969, the Fairlady Z, which had a closed body, was introduced.
The Datsun Sports S211’s development was finished in the summer of 1958, and it was introduced in June of the following year. It had an open 4-seater body constructed of FRP and the Datsun 211 (988cc, 34PS engine) chassis. It could go as fast as 115 km/h.
The Meaning of Z
There is one more thing to consider: what does “Z” even mean? We’ve established the Fairlady component, but what does the final letter in a Fairlady Z stand for?
To cut a long story short, the Z stands for a Nissan Z-Car, which has been produced across six (and shortly to be seven) successive versions from 1969.
Since the majority of the other letters of the Roman alphabet having already been employed for earlier projects, Teiichi Hara, the designer of Nissan’s initial Z automobile, gave the car blueprints the file name “Type Z.” In essence, “Type Z” or “Z Car” served as the project’s “working name” and persisted.
The 1956 Broadway musical that inspired the Nissan Fairlady Z’s name
For many years, the Nissan Z has been a standard Japanese sports vehicle. Despite being unavailable on the market for half a decade, it has nonetheless become somewhat of a symbol in the United States. With the aid of Donut Media, let’s travel back in time and follow the iconic Z-path car’s through history.
The Nissan Z’s name is the most intriguing fact. Nissan used the moniker Datsun when it started selling automobiles in North America in the late 1950s, just in case the brand didn’t succeed. Despite never having produced a sports car, Datsun gave it a shot and unveiled the Datsun Fairlady in 1959. The president of Nissan suggested this name after watching the time-honored Broadway musical “My Fair Lady.” Americans adored the show but disliked the automobile.
Yutaka Katayama, the head of Nissan’s West Coast operations and a popular figure among enthusiasts of Z-cars as “Mr. K,” started to advocate for the creation of an affordable sports car. He supported a concept created by Nissan’s head of the sports car styling team, and Nissan built the automobile to be quick, dependable, and reasonably priced. The Nissan Fairlady Z was created as a result. Nissan changed the name to Datsun 240Z because they didn’t think Americans would like it. The market loved it since it had a 2.4-liter inline-6 engine that produced 151 horsepower.
The 260Z came next in 1974, and the 280Z, which was solely offered in North America, followed in 1975. But things quickly started to shift. Nissan debuted the Datsun 280ZX in 1978, focusing on the luxury market rather than the sports car industry. It was hardly what Z-car enthusiasts had grown to know and love and was more of a grand tourer than a sports car.
When a turbocharged model was released, the Z regained its mojo, matching the development of the Toyota Supra. The Datsun brand was dropped in 1984, and the Nissan 300ZX, which was now equipped with some serious power, entered the market.
With the release of the final 300ZX generation in 1990, the Nissan 300ZX finally hit its stride. It was fast, sporty, and opulent, but it was taken off the market in 1996 as a result of exorbitant prices and a dwindling demand for sports cars.
It wasn’t until 2002 that the Z vehicle would make a comeback as the 350Z, fully embracing its sports car roots. Of course, the 350Z paved the way for the contemporary 370Z.
But the Nissan Z’s future is less certain. It is said to change into a crossover, vanish totally, or even turn into a hybrid. We’ll be keeping an eye out for a new Z concept at this year’s Tokyo auto show because everything points to it.
Nintendo 350Z
The Nissan 350Z, the fifth iteration in Nissan’s Z-car line, is a two-door, two-seater sports car that was produced by Nissan Motor Corporation from 2002 until 2009. In Japan, it is known as the Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33). The 350Z started being produced in 2002 and began being sold and promoted as a 2003 model in August of the same year. Since the roadster did not make its debut until the following year, there was only a coupe the initial year. The Roadster was initially only available in Enthusiast and Touring trim levels, whereas the coupe was first offered in Base, Enthusiast, Performance, Touring, and Track models. The Track trim had Brembo brakes and lightweight wheels, but all other coupes’ suspension settings applied. For the 2009 model year, the Nissan 370Z took the place of the 350Z.
Subaru Z-car
Since 1969, Nissan has produced seven iterations of the Z-series, a model line of sports automobiles.
Nissan Exhibition dealerships who had previously marketed the Nissan Bluebird began selling the first Z in Japan as of October 1969 under the name Nissan Fairlady Z (Japanese: Ri Chan huearedeiZ, Hepburn: Nissan Fearedi Zetto). For overseas buyers, it was initially sold as the Datsun 240Z. Nissan has subsequently produced seven versions of Z-cars, the most latest of which, the Nissan Z, has been in production since 2022.
The 350Z and 370Z variants of the Nissan Z are made at Oppama (2002–2004) and Tochigi, whereas the previous models were constructed at the Nissan Shatai facility in Hiratsuka until 2000. (2004-present). Every Z car has been marketed as the Fairlady Z in Japan and has also been sold worldwide as the Nissan S30, Nissan S130, Nissan 300ZX, Nissan 350Z, Nissan 370Z, and Nissan Z. They are all well-known for their good looks, dependability, performance, and affordability.
What distinguishes a Nissan 370Z from a Fairlady Z?
You have undoubtedly seen or heard the term “Fairlady Z” at least a few times, whether you are new to the Nissan market or have been missing your Datsun since 1983. The term “Fairlady Z” refers to the progression of Z automobiles, originally produced by Datsun and then Nissan, with a history dating back to 1970. However, there is a catch. What actually distinguishes a Nissan 370Z from a Fairlady Z?
Nissan Fairlady: A JDM vehicle?
The fifth iteration of Nissan’s Z-Automobile line, the Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) JDM Car is a two-door, two-seat sports car that was produced by Nissan Motor from 2002 to 2009. The 350Z started being produced in 2002, and sales started in August 2002 as a 2003 model.
What is the price of a Nissan Fairlady Z?
Tennessee’s NASHVILLE – The MSRP1 for Nissan’s most recent “attainable dream car,” the 2023 Nissan Z, was released today and is $39,990 for the Z Sport and $49,990 for the Z Performance. In the summer of 2022, both grades are expected at Nissan dealerships all throughout the country.
According to Michael Colleran, senior vice president of Nissan U.S. Marketing and Sales, “The Nissan Z is the heart and soul of our company, bringing sports car design, performance, and excitement to a broad range of buyers, starting with the introduction of the first generation more than 50 years ago.” When it launches this summer with a starting MSRP of less than $40,000, the most recent model is prepared to win over a brand-new generation of Nissan Z enthusiasts.
A special “Proto Spec” edition and Sport and Performance trim levels are available for the 2023 Nissan Z. The Proto Spec version, which will only be available in 240 units for the U.S. market, will pay respect to the 2020 Z Proto with commemorative plaques and exclusive inside and exterior features. All grades come with a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine and either a new 9-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters or a 6-speed manual transmission.
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices for the 2023 Nissan Z1:
Destination and handling are $1,025. * The combined total production is 240 units.
The 2023 Z’s outward design is modern and stylish, and its long hood and short deck convey a reverence for its heritage. Inside, the driver-focused cabin is modeled after earlier Z generations and features three traditional analog pod gauges in addition to more contemporary features like a 12.3-inch TFT meter with customizability and an optional 9.0-inch touchscreen display.