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For Sale: 1987 Nissan 300ZX in Ft Worth, Texas

Vehicle Description

Like it or not, Japanese cars are gaining lots of traction as collectables, and early Nissan Z-cars like this 1987 300ZX are an excellent bet. With great road manners, bulletproof reliability, and looks that just don't seem to go out of fashion, this is a very affordable way to own an interesting car that's still a lot of fun to drive.

The all-new 300ZX hit the streets and started the Japanese horsepower wars of the 1980s. This is a late production Fairlady Z31 car, so it has all the tweaks and upgrades, and the final makeover look on this aerodynamic 1987 'Kouki' model is still incredibly striking in its original configuration. The bright red paint (dubbed Hot Red by Nissan) is all-original to the car, and it looks great with a nice shine and maintained luster that's persevered over the last 105K actual miles. As you might expect, there are light signs of age here and there, but the car still attracts the right kind of attention when it's out on the road. Sure, it's not quite as smooth to the touch as it was in 1987, and maybe the sunlight doesn't quite bounce off of it like it did back then, but when you consider the car is almost 35 years, you'd be lying if you didn't say you were impressed. And if you really wanted to kick things back up a notch, a full scale buff-and-wax would go a long way to restoring some former Japanese glory. You don't see these Z31s very often these days, and the sleek, monochromatic look works very well on the tidy-looking hatch. It's not all in-your-face Hot Red though, as the tan ground-effect molding and rear bumperettes provide just enough contrast for a dynamic look. Tinted windows work especially well with bright red cars like this and the half-hidden headlights are a neat touch that kids today seem to emulate on their late-model cars with folding headlights. Out back there's a supercool central LED brake light - the first of its kind in car history- and it's really nice to not see any goofy spoilers or graphics on this one. It just looks clean and sleek, and that kind of restrained design is exactly why the Fairlady has remained so popular and timeless throughout the decades.

The black-and-gray cloth interior is a nice change-up to the usual tan or blue interiors found in typical '80s Japanese imports, and Nissan engineers got the driver's compartment exactly right. The deeply bolstered seats are probably overkill for anything on the street, but they sure are comfortable and in very good shape for a vehicle this age. A center console splits the sporty front buckets, and it houses what is undoubtedly the most exciting part of the cabin: the tall shifter for the 5-speed manual transmission. The interesting 3-spoke steering wheel has a fat wrap on it to make it feel substantial (Nissan used this style steering wheel across most of its models for almost 20 years), and as the top-of-the-line Nissan in 1987, everything was standard on the Z31. That means you get cold A/C, power windows, mirrors, and locks, a rear defroster, tilt wheel, and perhaps most importantly, a set of T-tops that even come with velvet shades. Big analog gauges are easy to read and the controls are all at your fingertips, as was the style in 1987 and on. There's also an upgraded JVC AM/FM/CD/AUX head unit in the factory slot, and the expansive dash is covered with a carpeted mat that features 300ZX script over the glove compartment - a nice choice for an otherwise simple piece of fabric. The back hatches opens to a sizable storage area, so road trips are definitely on the menu with this Kouki.

Nissan's overhead cam 3.0 liter V6 VG30E was an all-new design for the 300ZX, a departure from the inline-6 that powered previous Z-cars. With electronic fuel injection and rear wheel drive, it's silky smooth and has excellent road manners, as well as a decent hit of low-end torque that makes it feel downright fast around town. Aside from signs of regular maintenance and upgraded plug wire, it appears to be largely stock, and the engine bay is very clean and ready to be shown off with great pride. That means reliability is unaffected and with proper maintenance throughout the years, it's obvious that this car has always been loved. With a 5-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential, anyone can take advantage of the Z31's performance and the 4-wheel independent suspension is the perfect blend of comfort and performance. You also get big power-vent 4-wheel disc brakes, power rack-and-pinion steering, a super sanitary undercarriage, and an original exhaust system with a catalytic convertor and a California Emission Control System that's exactly what you got on the showroom floor in 1987. The stance is all-stock too, with factory 15-inch 'Z' alloy wheels wrapped in 215/60/15 performance rubber.

Offered with its original window sticker, owner's and service manuals, and an original bill of sale, this 2-owner, actual mileage beauty represents one of the finer '80s Japanese imports on the market today. The time is now to get into the Japanese performance car of your youth, because good ones are hard to find and their moment in the sun is fast approaching. Call today!

Vehicle Details

  • 1987 Nissan 300ZX
  • Listing ID: CC-1463963
  • Price: $13,995
  • Location:Ft Worth, Texas
  • Year:1987
  • Make:Nissan
  • Model:300ZX
  • Exterior Color:Hot Red
  • Interior Color:Black
  • Transmission:Manual
  • Odometer:105238
  • Stock Number:4602-DFW
  • VIN:JN1HZ14S9HX200651
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