Autoblog

Petrolicious drinks in the glory of two Datsun Roadsters in wine country

George Kennedy — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Videos

The latest Petrolicious video, entitled "Napa Valley Roadsters," features high-def footage of Japanese metal rolling though beautiful California hill country. Specifically, the classic two-liter Datsun Roadster.

Like many of the Petrolicious videos that proceeded it, this is a celebration of the personal connection that one has with an automobile. What's more, it's always heartwarming to see how a mutual interest can bring two complete strangers together, who are now close friends. And finally, who doesn't enjoy watching classic machinery mosey through beautiful scenery?

Check it out for yourself in the video below.

Continue reading Petrolicious drinks in the glory of two Datsun Roadsters in wine country

Petrolicious drinks in the glory of two Datsun Roadsters in wine country originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jay Leno's Garage visits Japan to drive Datsun 240Z, ask Nissan about successor

Seyth Miersma — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Celebrities, Design/Style

Typically Jay Leno's Garage gives us cool insights on rare, old and sometimes forgotten car models. In the latest episode, however, Jay takes us along to visit Nissan in Japan, where he talks about the next-generation of Z car.

The usually well-informed Leno starts the episode not knowing exactly what he's driving in a very special edition Nissan Fairlady 240ZG, though he does pronounce himself a fast fan of the original Z. After briefly motoring around Zama, Japan, The Chin drops in on the Nissan Technical Center, and gets the chance to ask Nissan design boss Shiro Nakamura, if there will be a new Z to mark Nissan's 80th anniversary in 2013. Jay also takes the opportunity to offer some insight as to what he'd like to see in a 2014 successor to the current 370Z.

Good times, as usual, with the king of car collecting. Please scroll down to watch the full episode.

Continue reading Jay Leno's Garage visits Japan to drive Datsun 240Z, ask Nissan about successor

Jay Leno's Garage visits Japan to drive Datsun 240Z, ask Nissan about successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Oct 2012 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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eBay Find of the Day: World's best Datsun 240Z resto-mod?

Jeff Glucker — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Classics, Coupe, Auctions, Nissan

eBay Find of the Day: 1972 Datsun 240Z resto-mod - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Datsun 240Z is a pantheon vehicle. By that we mean it belongs on many a car enthusiasts' all-time great vehicle lists. If you're in the market, there are plenty of options on eBay that will help you put one in your driveway. One Datsun in particular has caught our eye due to the quality of its execution. How much would it cost to own the beautiful S30 shown above? If you wanted to Buy It Now, you'd better have $85,000 burning a hole in your pocket.

That's right, we said $85,000, and that figure is reduced from an ambitious previous asking price of $125,000. What could cause someone to think their Z is worth that much? A complete frame-off restoration and a parts list that makes us think the owner is capable of Inception, since it reads like something from our modified car dreams.

Under the hood sits a SR20DET, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine taken from a 2002 Nissan Silvia. The suspension and brakes have been upgraded with Arizona Z car and Wilwood components. Basically, anything that could've been upgraded has been taken care of.

Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find a 240Z buyer looking to plunk down that many Benjamins for a car. There's no doubt that leading Japanese classics are climbing in price, and this car might be snatched up quickly at half the asking price. Head over to eBay Motors for the full listing. Thanks for the tip, Sid!

Gallery: eBay Find of the Day: 1972 Datsun 240Z resto-mod

[Source: eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: World's best Datsun 240Z resto-mod? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Mar 2011 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog attends 23rd annual Nissan Z Car Convention

Zach Bowman — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Nissan

23rd Nissan Z Car Convention - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Nissan North America headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee played host to the 23rd Annual Z Car Convention this past weekend. While we missed out on Friday's autocross and drift challenge action, we were on hand Saturday morning for the car show. Owners from around the country rolled out their pieces of Z history, from the 240Z to the 370Z. Nissan itself pulled a few heritage models out of the mothballs and parked them on the lawn for all to enjoy. Talk about tasty.

There were even a handful of vintage machines with nary a Z or Fairlady badge in their bloodline on display as well. We were particularly smitten with the blue Patrol poised to go where no 240Z had gone before. Likewise, there were a bevy of cars from the Z's racing history nestled at the foot of the Nissan tower. No matter how hard we begged, the Nissan crew wouldn't let play with the East African Safari 240Z in the open fields around the headquarters, but they did trot out the refreshed 2011 Rogue crossover, and more to the point, they were kind enough to let us have a peek under the fiberglass of Paul Newman's Bob Sharp prepared 1981 Datsun ZX Turbo. That'll do.

Gallery: 23rd Annual Z Car Convention

Autoblog attends 23rd annual Nissan Z Car Convention originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition spotted

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Spy Photos, Coupe, Performance, Japan, Nissan

The crew over at Inside Line got its hands on some rather curious spy photos of the new 2011 Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. Why curious? Most of the time, spy photographers work from behind massive lenses at long distances because the secretive engineers don't want themselves or the car they're testing to be photographed. But these shots look almost... composed. Or at least like the person manning the camera is on a first name basis with the folks at Nissan.

Regardless, these are clearly photographs of the soon to be released 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. As we've known for some time, there's not too much to the 40th Anniversary Z above and beyond a couple of badges. The slate gray body color and matching wheel color are unique to the limited edition coupe, as are the red brake calipers, but the wheels themselves are the optional 19-inchers from the standard 370Z.

Inside, IL claim's you'll find the "standard Z Touring seats" covered in red leather. But how can they tell what specific type of seats are in a car by looking at photos? Mechanically, we all have to wait until the Chicago Auto Show before we get the details, but Inside Line confirms a rumor we heard that the 40th Anniversary car might be more NISMO than standard Z. If Nissan decides to imbue the 40th Anniversary model with 350 horsepower (or more), along with the more sporting suspension in a less boy racer-ish body, they'll have quite a compelling performance package on their hands.

According to Inside Line the only exterior badging that distinguishes the 40th Anniversary car from lesser Zs is a small plaque on the car's rear bumper, just below 370Z. What's odd is that this little badge isn't visible in any of the photographs Inside Line posted. Look for yourself. And as far as we've seen, Nissan hasn't released any official photos of the 40th Anniversary car's rump. So how do they know? Could it be that Inside Line has additional "spy photos" of the 40th Anniversary Z's rear and isn't posting them? We kind of doubt that. And what's with the guys standing in front of a dark 1971 Datsun 240Z, seen next to the white Volkswagen GTI? And why would Nissan engineers be driving a VW? We're thinking Inside Line might know a bit more about the 40th Anniversary 370Z than they're telling.

Gallery: Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition

[Source: Inside Line]

Spy Shots: 2011 Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition spotted originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition announced [w/VIDEO]

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Japan, Videos, Nissan

Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

One week from today (October 22) marks the 40-year anniversary of Nissan's Z. Before the Zed, sports cars in North America were usually fragile little carts from Europe with their engines in funny places (or Corvettes). However, once the Datsun 240Z showed up, suddenly us Yanks had access to a fairly priced, good looking little sports car that could run for more than 30 minutes without dumping all its fluids. As the Guinness ad men might say, brilliant!

And, despite a few fits and starts, the Z badge lives on today. To celebrate 40 years of the Japanese sports car, Nissan is releasing the 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition. Here's what that entails, starting with the outside: 40th Quartz paint, "high-luster" smoke 19-inch Rays wheels, red brake calipers and 40th anniversary badges on both the rear hatch and front strut tower brace. Inside you get red leather, 40th anniversary embroidered seats and floor mats, red leather stitching up the center stack (just like the rocking Nismo) and a commemorative plaque. Oh, you get a satin car cover, too.

To which we say: not special enough! Come on Nissan - where's the twin turbos? Or T-Tops? Or a giant wing? What about louvers? Sans serif font? Anything? We appreciate the fact that you're (hopefully) saving your wad for the 50th Anniversary Z (which had better be atomic-powered, BTW) but red stitching and badges? Really? Where's the coke-eye'd Hasslehoff looking dude with the amazing mustache? Oh yeah, he's after the jump, along with his special lady and a very big press release!

Gallery: Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition announced [w/VIDEO]

Nissan 370Z 40th Anniversary Edition announced [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Japan

First generation Mazda Miata - Click above to see entire list of future Japanese Collector Cars

"Everybody wants to go to the dance, no one wants to stay and clean up." So says Robert De Niro's Sam in John Frankenheimer's spy thriller/car porno Ronin. We mention the line, because it's not only well written, but nicely sums up most people's attitudes towards classic, collector cars. Yes, we'd all love a Boss 302 Mustang or a Maserati Bora, but no one wants to pay the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to procure and maintain them. But what if in the future collector cars weren't limited to American muscle or exotic Europeans? What if relatively cheap and reliable Japanese cars came to be collectors items?

Regardless of the answer, that's the exact future that Tim Suddard, publisher of both Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports, is predicting. In fact, here's what he has to say about it:

Right now Japanese cars are generally overlooked by the collector car world, but we expect that to change. A generation that grew up on Hondas, Datsuns and Mazdas is coming of age where they're after the icons of their youth. Where previous enthusiasts paid big money for the Mopars, Chevelles and GTOs that they couldn't afford when teens, we expect the same happen soon with milestone Japanese cars.

Which, if what Suddard is saying is true, means that both demand and price should increase. Which is probably... bad. Click here to see the ten cars (with captions) that Suddard claims are going to be future classics, plus our own two cents on each selection. And of course, what do you think? Also - like what you see? If you're in the Southern California area, don't miss the 2009 Japanese Classics car show this weekend

Gallery: Tim Suddard's ten most collectable Japanese cars

Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Nissan's Fiesty Mr. K calls out the 370Z

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Japan

Recently one of our bloggers raised the hackles of many a commenter by announcing to the world that he preferred driving a Nissan Versa to the new 370Z. You can hear the whole exchange on Autoblog Podcast #140. To protect this poor blogger's identity, he shall remain nameless (we'll call him Jonny X for short. No, too obvious. Let's go with X Lieberman). Point is, obviously this person is out of his mind because who on earth prefers driving a economy car like the Versa to a Z? Turns out Nissan's Mr. K.

Yutaka Katayama, known to American Datsun/Nissan fans simply as Mr. K, will be remembered for two very important cars: the 240Z and the 510, both of which are now considered classics. Mr. K turned one hundred years old on September 15, but age hasn't tempered his mind. In fact it seems sharper than ever. Talking about the new 370Z, Mr. K calls it, "So-so." He continues, "Very different from the 240Z. First, it's very heavy, and it's also very expensive."

And not only does Mr. K feel the car new Z is too expensive, but that it's not actually living up to the Japanese sports car legacy laid down by the 240Z, "I'd like to have a sports car like the Miata. The Miata is taking the place of the 240Z." Harsh. But check this out, "Katayama has a 350Z in his garage but prefers to drive the family's Versa compact." And there you have it.

Mr. K would like to see the Datsun nameplate come back, and with sportier cars. "The fun of driving cars is the same as riding a horse. We need a car that is like riding on horseback. We are making robots. Robots don't like human control." Even at the ripe old age of one hundred, Mr. K just might be around to see his wish come true, "I just entered the 100s. I have a long way to go."

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: MTZC]

REPORT: Nissan's Fiesty Mr. K calls out the 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Nissan 370Z

Michael Harley — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Coupe, Performance, Nissan, New Car Reviews

2009 Nissan 370Z - Click above for high-res gallery

The first Datsun 240Z rolled into American showrooms in 1969. Four decades later, we've got our hands wrapped around the thick, leather, multi-function steering wheel of its direct descendant, the all-new 370Z. With a 332 hp V6 and a six-speed manual transmission directing power to the rear wheels, our outlook is decidedly positive as we head out on the street (our First Drive on the track was back in December). Is all of the hype surrounding this new coupe justified? How does it compare to the GT-R? Just how did the all-new Z-car fare after a week in our garage? Find out after the jump...

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan 370Z

Continue reading Review: 2009 Nissan 370Z

Review: 2009 Nissan 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Design Study: Nissan 240/Fairlady Z successor

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Nissan, Rendered Speculation

Click above for a high-res gallery.

Nissan's plans for an affordable, rear-wheel-drive coupe to slot in below the current Z have been rumored for years and we've been informed that internal politics have killed off at least one revival of an iconic Datsun. If work ever gets underway on another budget coupe, Nissan should seriously pursue Polish designer Iacoski and his interpretation of a 240Z/Fairlady revival.

Aft of the a-pillar, Iacoski's inspiration is clearly apparent, blending the old 240's slopping roofline and short rear overhangs with the muscular haunches and angled fender flares of the current 350Z. Up front, the Photoshop wizard retained the old Fairlady's elongated hood and power bulge, and matched them with a front air dam, bumper and headlamp arrangement influenced by the second GTR Proto concept.

We're totally smitten and think you'll be equally entertained when you check out the gallery of images below.

Gallery: Iacoski Datsun 240Z/Fairlady

[Source: Digimods via NihonCar]

Design Study: Nissan 240/Fairlady Z successor originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 240Z-based Ferrari 250 GTO replica

Noah Joseph — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 16:49:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Videos, Nissan, Ferrari

click above image to view video

With far more people wanting Ferraris than those who can actually afford one, replicas based on lesser donor cars are nothing new. Some are more convincing than others, and while we'd recommend a nice Corvette over a faux-rarri, once in a while there's an example that catches our attention, for better or worse.

If you're in love with the 250 GTO and don't have the millions it takes to buy one, this car might be the closest you can get. Follow the jump to find footage - nicely edited footage, actually - of a 250 GTO replica based on a Datsun 240Z that's set to the rather apt soundtrack of The Who's "Won't get Fooled Again", which you may recognize from CSI.

[Source: Busca Tuning via Motorpasion]

Continue reading VIDEO: 240Z-based Ferrari 250 GTO replica

VIDEO: 240Z-based Ferrari 250 GTO replica originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 Dec 2007 16:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It's not 'Z,' it's 'Zed': Zedfest at Silverstone

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, Nissan

Click the image above for a high res gallery.

This past Sunday, 167 Nissans and Datsuns decended upon the Silverstone racetrack in Northamptonshire, England to create the largest parade of Japanese vehicles ever seen on the circuit. Sponsored by the Nissan Z club, which was established three decades ago, the Zed Fest coincided with the 2007 Japanese Tuning show, the European Drifting Championship and a time attack series.

The vehicles present spanned the breadth of the Z's history, with everything from classic 240s and 260s, all the way through the new 350Z in attendance. But Zs weren't the only four-wheeled delicacies on hand. Several Skyline GT-Rs made an appearance, along with a host of S13s and S14s, plus a Sunny GTi-R.

Silverstone holds a special place in the automaker's European history, as it served as one of the first battlegrounds in which Datsuns started proving themselves against the giants of the 70s - including taking the 3-liter class in 1974 to beat out Porsche and TVR work teams.

You can check out the event yourself by clicking on any of the thumbnails below.

Gallery: ZedFest 2007

Continue reading It's not 'Z,' it's 'Zed': Zedfest at Silverstone

It's not 'Z,' it's 'Zed': Zedfest at Silverstone originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Jun 2007 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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