5k: Convertible-iZ31d: 1984 Nissan/Datsun 300ZX

In 1984 Nissan was having an identity crisis in the US Market.  The Datsun name (taken from a 1930s DAT Motorcar Company) had been used on Nissan’s exports to North America since 1958, but the Nissan brand had taken over in Japan and Europe in the 1960s.  Eventually the Nissan executives decreed that the Datsun name must go and in 1983/84 many US market cars were branding both Nissan/Datsun or Datsun by Nissan.  The newly released Z31 generation Nissan Z-car was not exempt from this naming convention and you can find the twin-labeled sports coupe for next to nothing today.  Find this 1984 Nissan/Datsun 300ZX for sale in San Leandro, CA for $4,000 via craigslist. Tip from Kaibeezy.

The Nissan/Datsun…hey…wait just a minute…somebody said something about coupe?  The 300ZX was only available as a 2-seat (or 2+2) coupe, so this one has been modified by an outside firm to have a drop top. The resulting wedge shape is quite pleasing to the eye – it looks like an FC RX-7 convertible or a Porsche 968 cabriolet – pretty company indeed.

The inside of this Z31 is well kept and looks stock aside from an aftermarket wooden steering wheel and shift knob…which sounds worse than it looks — the wheel is actually quite cool looking.  The 160 horsepower 3.0 liter V6 won’t be too bad mated to a 5-speed gearbox, but the turbo version is more desirable. 

See a better drop-top Z-car? tips@dailyturismo.com