Cars that should get more respect: 1983 - 1989 Nissan 300ZX (Z31)

If I were to ask you to name a car you remember fondly from the 1980's, could you name one? Chances are it might take you a moment or two to come up with a vehicle. Cars from the 80's are not remembered all that fondly. In an era of boxy designs, front wheel drive, and semi-anemic V8's, the hangover of the 1970's gas crisis had quite worked itself out of the automotive world yet. 

The decade did produce a few notable cars though. For me the Toyota MR2 and IROC Camaro (yeah yeah, don't laugh) come to mind as classic machines from that era.

In Nissan case, (or Datsun, for those keeping score.) their fondliest remembered car came before the 1980's. The 1970's 240Z is probably the most iconic shape to come from the houses of Nissan/Datsun. Later on, the 240sx also garnered new-found respect with the advent of the drifting scene. But there is another Nissan product that you don't hear much about anymore, and maybe you should. It's the 1983-1989 300ZX, grandchild of the famous 240Z, otherwise known as the Z31.

Back when I was in elementary school, the rural town I lived in was dominated by pickup trucks, Mustangs, and Camaros. I was a fan of all of those things, but one car that really got my attention was a local Z31. The mom of one of the girls in my grade 6 class owned it, and it was probably the only one for miles around. Every time I saw that thing, the angular wedge shape had my attention every time. In a sea of American iron, that ZX looked like a Japanese robot just waiting to transform with a flick of those motorized headlights. Even if it wasn't as fast as some of the other cars of it's time, it sure looked like it was. Unfortunately like many Z31's, the classmate's mom's 300ZX rusted out over time, and was most likely sent to car heaven.

Z31's in North America were powered by a 3.0L V6 engine that was available naturally aspirated or with a turbo. While not the fastest car to come to our shores, they handled well and turned heads. Non-turbo models are going for quite reasonable prices (just watch out for beaters.) and turbo models are not thaaaat much more expensive. If you've got a slightly thicker wallet, try to find one of the 'Shinto' special edition turbo models. 

Project-Definition's video below features a clean, tastefully modified 300ZX (except for maybe that intercooler hanging off the front.) Give it a watch and then hit Craigslist to find one to call your own!