MODERN CLASSIC DRIVE: 1995 Nissan 300 ZX

Nissan’s iconic sports car from the Nineties, the 300ZX, is quite a rare find in South Africa. This example is heading for the Creative Rides’ auction in two weeks' time, but before it finds a new home, we thought it would be a good idea to get more familiar with this quirky, yet charming Japanese machine. 

Words and images: Wilhelm Lutjeharms

In the May 1991 issue of CAR magazine, the Nissan 300ZX achieved a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 6.63 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h. Those are relatively impressive figures for that time – after all, the 300ZX did bridge the gap between being an outright sports car and fast GT. Not many of these cars came to South Africa, and even fewer of them are in the condition of this example!

Design

To say the 300ZX represents a typical Nineties Japanese design would be an understatement. It has the smooth, rounded lines of the period, with flush headlights (no pop-ups anymore!) and then the small bootlid spoiler at the back. Most enthusiasts would agree that it has aged well and that designers Isao Sono and Toshio Yamashita had done a great job. It still turns heads today.

• Find out more about the Creative Rides auction here.

That is also the case when you move into the cabin. The first thing I notice is how much the interior reminds me of the Honda NSX – a Japanese car from the same era. What catches the eye first of all is the chunky conglomerate of buttons on either side of the steering wheel that are protruding from the dashboard. It is not in the way when you drive, but they fall easy to hand when you want to change the air conditioning settings, use the cruise control or the headlights (to name a few).

The rest of the dashboard is also sloped upwards towards the windscreen which gives the cabin a very spacious feeling (which it is), while there is the 2+2 seat layout which allows for kids to sit in the back, or it can be used for luggage or other paraphernalia. Behind it, there is the sloping, massive, rear windscreen that covers the boot. 

Behind the wheel

It is always interesting to be reminded how small wheels were two decades (or three, in this instance) ago. The 300ZX rides on its original and modest 16-inch wheels covered with 225/50 tyres. When I open the door it reminds me instantly of that of the Lamborghini Miura, as these are also frameless doors, although it does have the outer pillar. The seats are first of all designed for comfort and secondly to provide some necessary support. 

This example is a sought-after five-speed manual transmission model – automatics were also available at the time. Indicating less than 62 000 km on the odo, the car is expectedly in a good condition. It has been stored for a long time, and is the case with nearly any old car, there is some work to be done. However, there are no cracks on the dashboard, the instruments work well and even the seats and the rest of the cabin look good for a three-decades old car.

I put the key in the slot, turn it and the engine catches. There is little in terms of aural pleasure, except that you can clearly hear there is a deeper exhaust note compared with, for example, a typical four-cylinder engine. The turbocharged V6 engine was claimed to deliver 205 kW and 372 Nm. 

As I leave Muizenberg and head up Ou Kaapse Weg, the first thing I’m impressed with is how tractable the engine is. It is happy to potter around at 1 500 to 2 500 rpm while you easily shift through the short and direct gearbox.

It also rides well and the suspension is clearly set up more towards comfort than outright handling. As I increase my speed, the ZX still changes direction with aplomb. This could partly be attributed to the car’s four-wheel steering system.

Keep your foot planted, and the engine revs eagerly. It doesn’t have the completely free-revving nature of a naturally-aspirated engine, but at the same time there is also no surprise in the manner in which it deploys its level of power and torque. It is linear and you can feel there is more torque on offer owing to the turbochargers. As this car is standard, also don’t expect any waste gate or other blowing noises from the engine – there is almost none of that. 

Push the engine past 4 000 rpm and the ZX quickly starts to pick up speed and then you still have around 3 000 rpm revs left to enjoy. Make no mistake, this car is not slow.  

The steering wheel provides some decent feedback, and the brakes feel strong. Another highlights is just how low the car is, which never leaves you in any doubt as to the intensions of this model. However, the seat is not as low on the floor as you might think, which makes ingress and egress easier, although the fixed (non-adjustable) steering wheel is set a little too low for me. Even so, I have enough headroom, which is quite an achievement, because this is the T-Top where the two panels can be removed for a semi-open roof experience. 

It is clear that this Nissan can, to some an extent, fulfil two roles. On the open road it will cover great distances with ease. Slot it into fifth gear and you will be doing some high speeds with little effort from the engine. At the same time it can also be enjoyed through a mountain pass. Weighing in at over 1 500kg, it is certainly no lightweight, but it has enough performance to enjoy, not too much grip and a slick five-speed gearbox. 

Apart from the necessary maintenance and some extra effort any older car will need once purchased, there is the appeal of that typical Japanese reliability that is to be expected with these (unmolested) cars. Finally, when is the last time you’ve seen a standard, unmolested, manual-transmission Nissan 300ZX? Tempting, isn't it!

Specifications

1994 Nissan 300ZX TT

Weight: 1 550 kg

Engine: 3.0-litre, V6, twin-turbo petrol

Power: 206 kW at 6 400 rpm

Torque: 372 Nm at 3 600 rpm

Top speed: 250 kph (tested)

0-100 km/h: 6.63 seconds (tested)

Gearbox: five-speed, manual, RWD

Price: On auction this month