1984 Nissan Z31 300ZX – Today’s Tempter

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 17.01.2020

After an affordable and stylish classic project? This Z31 looks like a great place to start!

Nissan’s line of Z-cars have, for a long time, made for great classic collectibles, often picked up for relatively little outlay (comparatively speaking) and coming with genuine GT and sporting credentials.

For traditionalists and purists, it’s the original 240Z that reigns the most desirable, but with numerous auction world records over the past year, and the first million-dollar sale taking place over the weekend; the gorgeous 240Z is increasingly being priced out of reach for the everyday enthusiast.

Later 80s Zs are far more affordable, and while they were once lamented for moving away from their sporting roots and towards a more relaxed ‘boulevard’ cruiser; they’re a genuinely sublime grand tourer that can swallow up distance with supreme comfort and ease. We’d even call them handsome these days.

Until 1985, Nissan Australia only offered the naturally aspirated 3.0lt V6 yielding a modest 124kW; though from 1986 to 1988, Nissan Australia only offered the 155kW turbocharged variant, sans adjustable shocks which were featured in overseas markets.

Transmission options included either a five-speed manual or four-speed auto, and while there were hardtop two-seater coupes overseas – locally-delivered models were exclusively available as 2+2 T-tops.

Australia also only got one high-spec trim offering, with the only options being climate control and a distinctly-80s digital instrument cluster. Nissan Australia also uniquely offered the "Californian" special edition, a run of 200 units marking the last of the Z31s sold Down Under.

This 1984 Z31 300ZX, per the manufacture year, is specified with the naturally-aspirated 3.0lt V6 coupled to a four-speed automatic gearbox.

It bears both the climate and digital cluster options and has travelled 195,000kms in its life (with log books).

It looks like a great project for someone to clean up with some elbow grease, with its original two-tone blue paint and a good overall interior.

There are some minor things that could do with attention; the most notable being a few small rust bubbles pointed out at the base of the A-pillars, tailgate and the base of both front guards.

The dash is also lifting at the front slightly, but overall appears to be in running condition having recently received a new battery.

The car is based in New South Wales, and is listed for $6,000.

Check out the full listing here!

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