A brief history of special edition Datsun/Nissan Z-cars

The Datsun Z-car, in all of its guises, was a pretty special machine when it launched onto American shores in 1970; you'd think the idea of a special edition of a car that's already special might be a bit much. Yet Nissan has managed to successfully introduce exclusive short-run versions of the Z and ZX since the '70s— and has continued clear through to this day.

Starting in 1977, Nissan commissioned a series of limited-edition Z-cars that endures. Precious few rise above the 1,000-unit level; higher production numbers in the '80s simply reflect the ZX mania that only showed that Nissan had the right (read: pro. table) idea kicking its sports car upmarket.

Yet it must be said, a few of these were more special than others—and we're not talking about how many were built. Some celebrated anniversaries, some were to help the Z/ZX maintain a sporting edge— sportier than perhaps the bulk of the Z's increasing number of happy buyers would be willing to entertain—and some were done simply to shift units. These have come and gone from whispers of existence (Commemorative Edition '96 300ZX) to full-on ad campaigns ("Black Gold," the 1980 280ZX). Our favorites will always add a modicum of performance—in the engine, in the chassis—that speak to the Z's sports car roots. But all have pride of place in the Z's half-century of high-performance folklore.

1978 Black Pearl

Nissan created the Black Pearl edition for 1978. There had never been a black Z-car before, even overseas, and the Black Pearl edition was used as something of a test market for this new color (paint code #638 on the firewall tag, though the color was available separate from the special edition). Festooned with specific red and silver stripes over metallic paint, and equipped with twin side mirrors plus louvers over the hatch glass, it was a striking version of the final original Z. Actual production numbers are lost, but every Datsun dealer in America— all 850 of them—received at least one car; estimates run as high as 1,500 produced.

1979 280ZXRBase price $10,298Number made 1,009Verdict Sportiest ZX until the Turbo arrived

1979 280ZXR

When going racing, race organizations try to keep the production-car classes as production as possible, with no freaky one-off parts to give a racing advantage. One way to patrol this is with homologation rules demanding a car company make X number of a car or part, so that it can be considered legal to race. IMSA's rules during the period demanded 1,000 of any component be manufactured and installed for sale to the public. And while the original Z-car had morphed into the more luxurious grand-touring ZX concept by 1979, racing was still a big part of its image. This explains the 280ZXR: a special edition designed to homologate a molded rubber wing to increase rear downforce—370 pounds at 100 mph, if reports are to be believed. All cars were silver, and sparsely optioned: only base wheels and trim. Striping (not paint) � owed over the hood and sides, in contrasting blue and black. The package was just $399 on top of a new $9,899 280ZX—a (relatively) bargain price that was all the better to get these special editions into buyers' hands.

1980 BLACK GOLD 10TH ANNIVERSARYBase price $13,850/$14,310 (early/late) Number made 2,500 (black/gold); 500 (black/red) Verdict Strongest image of all the anniversary Zs

1980 Black Gold 10th Anniversary

Nissan earmarked 3,000 two-seat models with the Grand Luxury package as code "280-ZX10" to celebrate the Z-car's 10th birthday. Split into 2,500 Thunder Black/Golden Mist Metallic (with beige interior) and 500 Thunder Black/Rallye Red (with burgundy interior) cars, these editions featured black-out body trim, alloy wheels with color-matched inserts, and 195/70R14 Goodyear "Wingfoot" radials, commemorative wreath decals on the fenders and hatch, a T-bar roof with detachable sunscreens (a new $800 option on all ZXs), headlamp washers, leather seat upholstery, a Hitachi concert hall-effect 40-watt stereo with cassette, automatic temperature control, a "computerized safety check" information display, and a numbered dash plaque. Buyers had a choice of five-speed or automatic.

1984 50TH ANNIVERSARY 300ZX Base price $26,000 Number made 5,148 (USA), plus 300 (Canada) Verdict Too many made, but possessing the most striking visual changes compared to a regular production model

1984 50th Anniversary 300ZX

The first Nissan 300ZX of 1984 was lightyears away from the original Datsun Z that so charmed the American public a decade and a half earlier—moving from pure sports car to more of a GT car. You'd think that special editions would be a way to sell cars that were on their way out. For Nissan, whose all-new 300ZX launched in the fall of 1983, the company's golden anniversary fell more or less in lock-step with the sports car's launch. The Anniversary Edition featured the same turbocharged 3-liter V-6 as other Turbo ZX models, but added 10-percent stiffer springs, recalibrated adjustable shocks, and turbo-finned 16-inch wheels with Pirelli P7 rubber. The special model also gained silver-over-black paint with gold decal trim and emblems, ground effects, fender flares, mirror-glazed T-top roof panels, bronze-tinted windows, black leather interior with special embossed emblems, digital instrument display, leather door inserts, an 80-watt AM/FM eight-speaker stereo with steering wheel controls and the Bodysonic sound system, a car cover, floormats, and a golden key. Later-model-year Zs received some of these upgrades, including the wheels, wider front fenders (1986-'89), and fender flares. The only option available was swapping out the Borg-Warner five-speed transmission for a four-speed automatic.

1988 SHIRO SPECIAL Base price $25,349 Number made 1,002 (USA), plus 75 (Canada) Verdict The purest and most desirable of the Z31-generation 300ZX

1988 Shiro Special

The 300ZX had a reputation as a lardy boulevardier whose reflexes could be sharpened at the touch of a button. The limited Shiro Special (shiro is Japanese for white) of early 1988 was Nissan's single biggest step toward regaining the early car's performance mojo. The 300ZX Turbo's standard electronically adjustable suspension was summarily dismissed, and in its place were higher-rate springs, nonadjustable Koni shocks, and fatter anti-roll bars. The multiway-electric power leather seats were pulled out in favor of a pair of cloth Recaros. Digital instrumentation was removed in favor of a 150-mph speedo and a tachometer with white numbers on black faces. The only available transmission was the Aisin-built five-speed stick. Also included: a viscous limited-slip differential with the stock 3.70:1 gearing; a formerly Europe-only front air dam; and a special three-stage Moon Glow Pearl paint that covered just about every exterior surface (including the wheels). Graphite-colored trim stood in for basic black. The engine remained stock, at 200 turbocharged horses. But the Shiro was hardly a stripper. It also came standard with T-tops; power windows, locks, and mirrors; cruise control; air conditioning; and a four-speaker stereo with AM/FM tape deck head unit and a power antenna. All Shiros were equipped the same; no substitutions or additional options were available from the factory.

1996 COMMEMORATIVE EDITION Base price $43,979 Number made 300 (78 twin-turbos) Verdict Slipped by without anyone knowing—they know now

1996 Commemorative Edition

By 1996, Nissan's Z was on its last legs in the U.S.—wonky dollar-yen ratios helped ensure a $44,000 base price for the twin-turbo model. The Z continued in Japan for a couple of more seasons, but it left our shores in '96. To say goodbye, Nissan launched a commemorative model. Just 300 were made, a mix of 2+2s, naturally aspirated models, and twin-turbos: just 78 twinturbo Commemorative Editions were made. All were black with tan interior; the only way to tell for sure is a sequentially numbered plaque mounted next to the clock, and a rear quarter-window sticker celebrating "26 years of excellence." Otherwise, it's just like every other 300ZX—rare enough for '96, as only 2,929 ZXs were made for the American market.

2005 35TH ANNIVERSARY Base price $36,660 Number made 678 (USA), plus 223 (Canada) Verdict More power, special paint, bigger wheels and brakes, point the way forward for anniversary Zs

2005 35th Anniversary

The big news here was that the 35th Anniversary model actually received extra power—300 horses, instead of the standard car's 287 horses—though this came at the expense of torque. (Track variants received this engine also; it was only available with the six-speed stick. Automatic Anniversary models kept the standard V-6.) The redline was raised to 7,000 rpm. New cam profiles, an upgraded aspi-reciprocating assembly, and new variable exhaust-valve timing were responsible for the power boost. Though Ultra Yellow was the Anniversary car's signature color, it was available in Super Black or Silverstone as well. (Black is the most common, Silverstone the rarest.) Also included were Brembo brake calipers, specific 18-inch wheels, unique front and rear spoilers, and the requisite badging to remind you that you're in something special. A two-tone black and tan leather seat was available—but only on Super Black and Silverstone models.

2010 40TH ANNIVERSARY Base price $38,860 Number made 1,000 (USA), plus 120 (Canada) Verdict Surprisingly subtle

2010 40th Anniversary

Another year, another updated Z, another anniversary: The 2010 40th Anniversary 370Z was based on the Touring model, good for 322 horsepower through a six-speed stick. Upgrades included Synchro-Rev automatic rev-matching, a set of 19-inch Ray's wheels in a darker silver than available on 2009 models, and larger Nissan Sport brakes. The "40th Quartz" (medium grey metallic) paint was set off by a red leather interior, red stitching throughout the interior, red brake calipers, and a smattering of anniversary-specific badges. NADA reports that an Anniversary Edition 370Z is worth a couple of grand more than a standard 2010 370Z Touring.

2020 50TH ANNIVERSARY Base price $33,495 (stick) or $34,985 (auto) Number made 50 (USA, red/white), plus more will be made in silver/black Verdict Who will slap a number 46 on the door and take it racing?

2020 50th Anniversary

Mechanically, the 2020 Nissan 370Z is more or less the same Z we've known for about a dozen years now: 332 horsepower from a 3.7-liter V-6, 270 lb-ft of torque, fare thee well. The anniversary package alone is a $2,600 option; the original Z-car started at $3,626. But if you recall that the anniversary special from a decade ago cost about $5,000 more (before inflation), or recall a 300ZX twin-turbo north of $45,000 in mid-1990s money, the 370Z seems a bit of a bargain.

Based on a Sport-level Z, the anniversary model's paint scheme recalls the legendary Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) 240Z that won SCCA championships at the dawn of the '70s, and is available in one of two paint schemes: white with red accents, or silver with black. The contrasting color lives on the hood, hatch lid, A-pillars, and door mirrors. The trademark twin hash marks move from the front fenders to the doors, and a beltline pinstripe ends in a triangle behind the rear quarter window. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, a seven-speed paddle-shifted automatic is available at extra cost, and both get power out to a limited-slip differential. Of course, there's also 50th Anniversary badging on the sides and rear, but the rear spoiler has been deleted. (Whither 280ZXR?) Inside is full of reminders that you're in something special: an alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, the same material in the door panels, leather-trimmed heated four-way-power bucket seats, dark-chrome interior accents, an eight-speaker Bose stereo with active noise cancellation, and a special plate surrounding the shifter.