The Z tree

1. Gen 1 · S30 · 1969–1978

   First generation

   The long-hood, short-deck original — Fairlady Z at home, 240Z to 280Z abroad.

   

   1969–1973

   Datsun 240Z

   The car that started it. A cheap, beautiful grand-touring sports car with an independent rear and a smooth straight-six — sold as the Fairlady Z in Japan and the 240Z in export markets.

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   1974

   Datsun 260Z

   A one-year U.S. stop between the 240Z and 280Z. Displacement grew to 2.6 liters, and the 2+2 body arrived for people who needed the extra pair of seats.

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   1975–1978

   Datsun 280Z

   The last of the chrome-bumper S30s in America. Bosch-style L-Jetronic fuel injection and 2.8 liters kept the straight-six alive through the mid-seventies rules.

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2. Gen 2 · S130 · 1978–1983

   Second generation

   The ZX years — more grand tourer, T-tops, and the first factory turbo Z.

   

   1978–1983

   Datsun 280ZX

   More luxury, more weight, still a Z. Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year, then T-tops and a factory turbo that pointed at the 300ZX decade.

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3. Gen 3 · Z31 · 1983–1989

   Third generation

   The first 300ZX — digital dashboards, V6 power, and huge U.S. volume.

   Z

   1983–1989

   Nissan 300ZX (Z31)

   First V6 Z, first 300ZX. Digital dashes, voice warnings, and in 1984 a sales year the old archive still quotes at 73,000 cars.

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4. Gen 4 · Z32 · 1989–2000

   Fourth generation

   Wide-body twin-turbo icon. The Z that put a million on the board.

   

   1989–2000

   Nissan 300ZX (Z32)

   The wide, low twin-turbo Z. Super HICAS, 300 horsepower, and a convertible from 1993. U.S. imports ended in 1996; a last car went into the Petersen.

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5. Gen 5 · Z33 · 2002–2009

   Fifth generation

   The comeback. 350Z brought the nameplate back as a raw, modern sports car.

   

   2002–2009

   Nissan 350Z

   The revival. Shown as a concept, named 350Z, and in showrooms as a 2003 model — a stiff, compact coupe that brought a new generation into the club.

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6. Gen 6 · Z34 · 2008–2020

   Sixth generation

   370Z — tighter, meaner, and the last of the naturally aspirated VQ era.

   

   2008–2020

   Nissan 370Z

   Shorter, lighter, angrier than the 350. SynchroRev, a 332-hp VQ37, and a long run that included NISMO and a roadster. Last naturally aspirated Z.

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7. Gen 7 · RZ34 · 2022–present

   Seventh generation

   Simply Nissan Z. Twin-turbo VR30, a stick shift if you want it, and a 2027 refresh.

   

   2022–2026

   Nissan Z

   The seventh generation dropped the number. Same long-hood idea, a VR-series twin-turbo six derived from the GT-R family, and a six-speed if you ask for one.

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   Latest

   2024–present

   Nissan Z NISMO

   Track-first Z. 420 horsepower, extra aero, wider track feel, and for 2027 a six-speed plus GT-R-derived two-piece front rotors.

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   Latest

   2027

   2027 Nissan Z

   The latest car. S30-inspired split grille, a Z on the nose instead of a Nissan badge, Shinkai Green, and a manual NISMO with GT-R brakes. This page is built from the MacStorage RZ34 drop.

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More stills and factory shots can land in MacStorage / Z-Lineage. We will attach them to the matching page.