Other Datsuns – Page 6 – the DAILY DATSUN

June 19, 2012July 3, 2012

Spotted: 240z w/ 280z parts

Cruisin’ around downtown with Thanh, taking a different route to a familiar restaurant, and spotted a red Datsun 240z! Of course I had to make a u-turn and check it out :]

This 240z is a little worse for wear, certainly looking like it gets used. It does have some interesting features to it though: sports a modern valence, side skirts, wheel well lip rubber, and look at that, a 280z hood. I wonder what’s lurking underneath…

Rolling on 280zx wheels – perhaps another hint at it’s internal upgrades.

Check out the body color single side Turbo mirror.

May 1, 2012

Datsun Z: Playboy’s #18

No, I don’t read Playboy. But i DO read Autoblog, and they had a mention of Playboy’s 25 Greatest rides.

What do you know, the Datsun / Nissan Z made no. 18!

I’m sure in anyone’s list of greatest cars to make it into this world, the Datsun Z is on most of them. It’s just a fantastic car with great lines, modest performance, and a price tag to match (both originally and current).

Here’s the Press Release on Autoblog’s site – see if your car is on their list:

PLAYBOY COUNTS DOWN THE 25 GREATEST CARS OF ALL TIME
Ferrari GTO Speeds to the #1 Spot

Take a drive through auto history in Playboy’s new comprehensive list of the best cars of all time. Jaguars, Lamborghinis, and Porsches all find their way onto the list, but the Ferrari GTO gets top honors in The 25 Greatest Rides.

The cars range in price from $7,000 to more than $35 million and date back to the 1940s. Playboy editors Ken Gross and A.J. Baime share their definitive list in the magazine’s May issue (on newsstands and on i.Playboy.com Friday, April 20).

Following is the list of cars that made the cut:

1. Ferrari GTO
2. Porsche 911
3. Shelby Cobra
4. Jaguar E-Type
5. Mercedes-Benz Gullwing
6. McLaren F1
7. Chevrolet Corvette
8. Aston Martin DB5
9. Lamborghini Miura
10. BMW 507
11. Lamborghini Countach
12. Jaguar XK120
13. Ferrari 275 GTB/4
14. MG TC
15. Ford Shelby Mustang
16. Chevrolet Camaro
17. Ferrari 458 Italia
18. Datsun/Nissan Z
19. Chrysler 300
20. Pontiac GTO
21. Mazda Miata
22. VW Beetle
23. Chevrolet Bel Air
24. BMW 2002
25. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

April 20, 2012

Spotted: 280zx Turbo

This morning was a blast: vinyl seats cooked my back, A/C DEFINITELY needs a recharge, and…. I spotted a red 280zx Turbo :]

Saw this guy down the street so i decided to take the long way to work.

The guy threw out a hang 10 when he noticed me in his rear view.

Cooked it between a slow Celica and even slooower Grand Prix to holler out a few “hoots”. Should’ve screamed, ‘DailyDatsun.com’ instead :]

April 13, 2012

Work: Datsun Nissan 280zx 2+2

I love parking next to other Z cars where ever we go. The older the wider the smile.

Pounced into the parking lot at work this morning and briefly parked next to a great late 70’s (?) Nissan / Datsun 280zx… 2+2!
A quick peek in the back showed two bent 2″+ pipes… possible future exhaust?!

Work’s parking lot certainly has it’s newer 350Z and 370z cars, but it’s the first time i’ve seen this guy around. 2+2’s are growning on me.

Though late 70’s Z cars went to more angular design, they still kept the flavor of the original design. I’m really digging the louvers.. probably keeps the back cooler in the summer.

Hood match up – both rocking black vents.

And got the same wheels! Iron Cross!

A little extra in the back for the 2+2.

Looks like a very well cared for example of a Datsun Nissan 280zx 2+2.

March 20, 2012March 22, 2012

OFFICIAL: NISSAN brings back DATSUN brand

It’s official! Nissan is bringing back the Datsun brand. Wow – just when we got rumor of it’s comeback, it’s already here.

According to news / blogs, the Datsun brand will be offered in Indonesian, Indian and Russian markets; and most likely a heavy amount of re-badging instead of new / retro models.
Most enthusiasts were really only hoping for new 510‘s, mini-trucks, and roadsters.. but who knows, maybe they’ll swing around once the new Datsun picks up.

Read the press release below:

Nissan CEO expects strong growth in Indonesian auto market
– Carlos Ghosn details Indonesian investment and the launch of Datsun –

Production capacity to grow to 250,000 by 2014
33 billion Japanese yen investment
Nissan strongly supports Indonesia’s green car program
Return of the Datsun brand

JAKARTA (20 March 2012) — Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced measures to strengthen its production base and sales presence in Indonesia. Total capacity will increase to 250,000 annually by 2014, with the workforce expanding to 3,300, and sales outlets are planned to increase to 150 by 2015.

On March 19, CEO Carlos Ghosn met Indonesia president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and reiterated Nissan’s commitment to the nation’s motorization.

“Nissan is bringing new jobs and new vehicles to Indonesia,” said Ghosn. “We are going to expand our production capability and offer a new and exciting product line here.”

The new plan announced today will make Nissan’s Cikampek site, located 80 kilometers outside of Jakarta, one of the largest production facilities in the ASEAN region for Nissan.

In 2011, 890,000 vehicles were sold in Indonesia, for the first time making the nation ASEAN’s largest car market. Nissan is in line to achieve its sales objectives of 60,000 units for fiscal year 2011. Indonesia total industry volume is estimated to increase nearly double by 2017 compared to 2010, largely driven by the introduction of the Green Car program now being drafted by the Indonesian government. Nissan strongly supports the program and looks forward to its speedy ratification.

While talking to the media, Ghosn announced the return of the Datsun brand, Nissan’s third global brand, alongside Nissan and Infiniti. Datsun will provide sustainable motoring experience to optimistic up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets. Datsun represents 80 years of accumulated Japanese carmaking expertise and is a important part of Nissan’s DNA. Datsun vehicles will start sales in India, Indonesia, and Russia from 2014.

Source: Nissan Global

March 14, 2012

Top 20 Nostalgic Japanese Classics, Z in 3rd

Editors of the latest Nostalgic Hero magazine have just pulled out a list of the Top 20 Nostalgic Classic cars. To no surprise, Nissan / Datsun filled 7 of those spots with the likes of some amazing machines: Datsun Fairlady 1600 / 2000, C210 Skyline, and the Bluebird 1800 (Datsun 510) to name a few.

In 3rd, you’ll see the esteemed Nissan / Datsun Fairlady 240ZG.
While it’s great to see a Z on the list, I think I would’ve liked to see the Z432 over the ZG. The 240ZG is great, but sometimes that G-nose doesn’t look right. I suppose it all depends on the rest of the look.

20. Hino Contessa 1300 Coupe
19. Suzuki Fronte Coupe
18. Subaru 360
17. Datsun Fairlady 1600/2000
16. Daihatsu Midget
15. Nissan Sunny Coupe 1200 GX5 (B110)
14. Nissan Skyline HT 2000GT-ES (C210)
13. Mitsubishi Colt Galant GTO MR
12. Isuzu 117 Coupe
11. Toyota Celica Liftback 2000GT
10. Isuzu Bellet 1600 GTR
09. Nissan Bluebird 1800 SSS (510)
08. Toyota Corolla Levin 1600 (TE27)
07. Honda S600/S800
06. Toyota Sports 800
05. Mazda Cosmo Sport
04. Nissan Skyline HT 2000GT-R (C110)
03. Nissan Fairlady 240ZG
02. Toyota 2000GT
01. Nissan Skyline HT 2000GT-R (C10)

Of course at the top is the awesome C10 Skyline GT-R. No matter what variety that two-door C10 model comes in, it’s awesome.
With the rest of the list, I haven’t heard of most of these, so it was a great list to check out some “new” cars. Let’s check’em out.

Nissan Skyline HT 2000GT-R (C10)

Suzuki Fronte Coupe

Nissan Skyline HT 2000GT-R (C210)

Isuzu Bellet 1600 GTR

Toyota Sports 800

Source: Japanese Nostalgic Car

March 6, 2012

Datsun brand relaunch?

It’s been the buzz of all the Datsun / Nissan forums out there: News of Nissan possibly bringing back the Datsun brand!

In a nutshell, if anything transpires at all, it’ll be for emerging markets like China, India and Brazil (read: non-US), and be a low-cost, sub-brand (ouch). This is probably just market research at best, and since Nissan is so prevalent around the globe already, it’s hard to think why they would want to revive (*taint*) the Datsun brand. Though as Nissan pushes upward (like Toyota / VW), if it’s to compete against the success of Toyota’s young Scion brand, that reason alone just may do it.

There’s tons of articles on Datsun coming back so i’ll leave you with those:

http://www.thedetroitbureau.com/2011/07/is-datsun-name-being-revived/

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20120302-704087.html

thanks Dana for giving me the heads up on the news!

February 27, 2012February 28, 2012

Found hanging out with a 350z

Seems like the 280z can’t get enough of hanging out with the younger crowd! It was only a few weeks ago that 40th Anniversary 370z kept the 280z company.

Parked in the San Jose Convention Center garage, I came back to the car to find a great looking 350z backed into it’s spot right next to me! haha It had a surprisingly good look for a two-tone R8-esque paint, with great rims to match its look. Since i had the camera with me, I caught them in the lens.

It’s always a Datsun/Nissan meet!

Just check out those wheels… shoot! Looks like his rim is larger than my whole tire. Sigh – those 14×6 “iron cross” wheels have got to go!

and that’s how we roll.

**UPDATE 2/28/12** – read Bob Nazarenus’ comment (the 350z owner) on the Junk Datsun – Surprise article! Thanks Bob!

February 22, 2012February 22, 2012

Snow White 240z in HRE wHeels

eGarage recently had a great article / pics of a Datsun 240z rebuild in Poland.

Owned and rebuilt by Tomasz Boguslawski, the story details his family history in Poland, his love of cars, and the rarity of having a 240z in Poland.

The pictures truly tell all. You’ll see all the nice add-ons that make Z cars looks great – a fantastic job, well done and inspiring!

Source: eGarage

Love the ZG flares, lightweight polyurethane bumper and head light covers. Also it’s got the aftermarket front valance (best besides stock in my opinion), euro-type side marker, and awesome looking HRE wheels. You know he had to convert 4-lug to 5-lug on that one!

Keepin’ it real with the original L series engine. Gold strut tower bar to match.

February 17, 2012February 17, 2012

Another Z, next to me

It was an uncharacteristically busy night at the Planet Granite climbing gym. So much that I had to park aaaalll the way over at the end of the parking lot – way over there. After climbing though, i returned to my 280z being kept company by it’s newest sibling: a gunmetal grey 370z! What a nice car! Even better it was the 40th anniversary edition AND it had a Z Car Garage license plate frame. Sweeeeeet!

I’ve gotta get back to Z Car Garage someday. Rob and company are great guys – my first venture over (when i didn’t even have the 280z yet), he let me walk the floor and checkout all the cars. He’s got two incredible Datsuns, a Z and 510, both decked in a wild lime green.