Nissan Fairlady Z 300ZX
The third Z traded its long inline-six for Nissan's compact new turbo V6 and slipped through the air with half-hidden headlights.
Nissan Z31 300ZX TURBO (No.136) - Nissan E-HGZ31 Fairlady Z 2BY2 300ZX T-BAR ROOF (No.137) (24042811444).jpg · 先従隗始 · CC0 1.0
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
The Z31 arrived in Japan in September 1983 as the third generation of Nissan's Z sports car. It was the first Fairlady Z with a V6, offered locally as a 2.0-litre turbo and the 3.0-litre 300ZX profiled here. The shorter V6 helped Nissan improve packaging and weight balance, while the sharp wedge shape achieved a stated drag coefficient of 0.31.
Look a little closer.
Nissan called the partly hidden lamps “Parallel Rising Headlamps”: they pop up only as far as needed instead of standing completely upright.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Why a V6 changed the shape of the car
A V6 is shorter from nose to tail than an inline-six of similar capacity. Nissan says the compact VG engine improved the Z31's overall weight balance; the shorter package also helped the third Z become smaller in key dimensions while keeping its long-nose sports-car look.
Source: Nissan USA Newsroom · Datsun and Nissan Fairlady / Z Heritage ↗Japanese and export 300ZX ratings must stay apart
Nissan's Japanese 1983 Fairlady Z 300ZX specification is 230 PS and 333 N·m. The Canadian 50th Anniversary 300ZX in Nissan's collection is rated 200 PS and 308 N·m. They share the VG30ET name, but emissions rules and market tuning mean the numbers are not interchangeable.
Source: Nissan Heritage Collection · Canadian 300ZX Turbo 50th Anniversary ↗Where these facts come from
- Nissan USA Newsroom · Datsun and Nissan Fairlady / Z Heritage
- Nissan Heritage Collection · Canadian 300ZX Turbo 50th Anniversary
- GAZOO catalog · Japanese Fairlady Z Z31 range
- GAZOO catalog · Japanese Fairlady Z 2by2 300ZX
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.