1970 By 1970, the used car value of the 240-Z was $4,000 ($21,239 in today’s dollars) due to the high demand. At the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) competition, John Morton, driver of the Datsun 240-Z, wins the C-Production national championship for the Brock Racing Enterprises.

1971 The Jatco automatic transmission was introduced, the crankshaft was redesigned, and the transmission and differential were upgraded. John Morton wins the national title a second time.

1972 Modifications were made to the rear demist, engine compression ratios, and seat-belt mechanisms. The C-Production national championship is won by Bob Sharp, he also drives a Datsun 240-Z. The following year, in John Morton’s footsteps, he again wins the C-Production national championships.

1973 Over 150,076 Datsun 240-Zs had been sold. A number of changes were made to the 240-Z- intermittent windshield wipers, standard glass, 3-point adjustable seat belts, collapsible steering column, fire retardant interior and racing seat belts.

1974 The car is renamed the 260-Z. Along with the name change comes a decrease in horsepower and fold-down back seats. Nissan Motors, or Datsun, sold 63,963 260-Zs in a year. Another Datsun driver, Walt Moss, wins the C-Production national championship.

1975 Rising emissions regulations force Nissan to upgrade the displacement to 2.8 liters and the motor company introduces the 280-Z, which has a Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection engine. Other changes include a change in front and rear bumper size and horsepower at 149. Bob Sharp wins his third C-Production national championship and moves up to the IMSA GTU circuit winning 8 races and capturing the championship that year.

1976 The ammeter in the center console is replaced by a voltmeter.

1977 As the horsepower climbs to 170, so do sales. 280-Z sales reach a record high of 67,331 vehicles in a year.

1978 Datsun introduces the Black Pearl edition- a black metallic finish with red and silver side striping.

1979 The 280-ZX is introduced. This new model provides higher luxury and sets a record in sales, with the 280-ZX reaching 86,007 vehicles for that year. At the SCCA C-Production national championship, Datsun again takes home the prize. This victory marks 10 consecutive years of winning for the Z-car.

1980 The total number of Z-cars sold in the US reaches 500,000. Datsun introduces a T-bar roof option on current models.

1981 Datsun introduces a turbo-charged version of the 280-ZX with 180 horses under the hood.

1982 The Electromotive racing team wins Datsun’s first IMSA GTO championship.

1984 The 300-ZX is introduced. With a whopping 200 horsepower on the turbo-charged version, and 160 hp on the standard, Datsun goes on to sell 73,652 vehicles that year. This sales number makes it the second best year for Z-car sales..

1985/1986 Paul Newman wins the SCCA GT-1 national championship two years in a row.

1988 Bob Sharp’s son, Scott Sharp, wins the SCCA GT-1 national championship.

1989 Due to changes in market trends, the sports car industry sees a drop in demand. To battle this trend, Nissan begins work on a more performance-oriented sports car.

Looking for information on 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid, 2006 Honda Accord Hybrid or any other 2006 Honda Car? Want to find out the wheelbase on a 2006 Nissan Altima, 2006 Nissan 350z or any other 2006 Nissan car or 2006 Nissan truck? Need to know the gas mileage on the 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid, the 2006 Ford Explorer Sport Trac or any of other 2006 Ford Truck? Interested in the horsepower of any 2006 Ford car, or cargo capacity of any 2006 Toyota car, or the price of a Honda motorcycle? Please visit the respective sites for answers.

 We ask that you please bookmark us and use us as a resource for all the info you need regarding your Nissan 350z!