It has been 40 years since the iconic Nissan 300ZX sports car hit the marketplace in North America. The second generation launched in 1990 and came with a rounder silhouette as well as a long list of available equipment such as twin-turbocharged motor, four-wheel steering, and an adjustable suspension.
Nissan was so proud of that car that it circulated an ad saying, “As a driving enthusiast, you have literally hundreds of sports cars to choose from. But there is one automobile by which all others are measured. A remarkable car that has no shortcomings, and therefore no peers. The 300ZX Turbo.”
The Pick of the Day is a low-mileage 1993 Nissan 300ZX listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Eagle, Idaho. (Click the link to view the listing). While not a Turbo variant, this car is among the cleanest and most original 300ZX examples we have seen in recent years.
“Original owner, not a scratch or dent,” the listing says. “Purchased my 300ZX in Phoenix, Arizona, placed on a flatbed and shipped to Eagle, Idaho in 2019. Never driven in the rain or snow. Never taken through a car wash. Always kept in the residence garage.”
The first 300ZX, named the Fairlady Z in select world markets, was originally introduced to the United States in late 1983 for the 1984 model year. That first generation rode on what Nissan called the “Z31” chassis and shared some architectural elements with the 280ZX sport coupe. The second generation (or “Z32”), six years later, was initially sold as a two-seat coupe or a 2+2 coupe. An ASC-built convertible was added to the mix in 1993, and that brings us to today’s featured Z drop-top.
The listing says that the car is all-original with exception of the suspension and the stereo: The front upper control arms and all four shocks have been replaced. A CD player has been installed along with rear speakers, as the seller says that convertible 300ZX models did not come with rear speakers.
Since this is the non-turbocharged version of the Z32, its 3.0-liter V6 was rated at 222 horsepower and 198 lb-ft of torque when new. Service history included replacement of the timing belt, water pump, hoses, cam and crank seals, and oil seals in 2008. Although this was performed 16 years ago, the car has only been driven about 2,000 miles since that time.
The asking price is $32,500, which is right around what this car cost new. That was 31 years ago, and you’ll be hard-pressed to find another one in this kind of shape with fewer than 30,000 original miles on it. The car will come with a service manual and promotional literature.
If this was your dream car in the 1990s, here’s your chance to make those dreams come true.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, zoom over to the archives at Pick of the Day.
This will never be a classic car, nor others like it.
Actually, this is a classic car. It’s 30 years old and has collector value. Remember when GTOs half that age struggled to gain acceptance? Now it seems like a no-brainer.
@Nick The Journal is an online automotive magazine dedicated to everything related to cars and car culture for automotive enthusiasts. We are powered by ClassicCars.com, however have never claimed to be specifically classic car related. You’re welcome to check out the thousands of articles we have about classic cars. ClassicCars.com itself also offers a variety of vehicles for sale, beyond the typical “classic car.”
Remember the classic Nissan tv commercial with the 300ZX where GI Joe picks up Barbie and leaves Ken behind? All to the music of the Kinks…
When the Dodge Shadow ES Turbo Convertible or Dodge Spirit RT is considered a real classic please let me know. The above Nissan 300ZX is a classic in my opinion. But the twin turbo version– a double classic for sure.