Nissan Fairlady Z

• Six generations here: the S30 (announced October 1969), then the S130, Z31, Z32, Z33 and Z34, which went on sale in Japan from August 1978 to December 2008.
• Engines: L-series inline-six in the S30 and S130, VG V6 in the Z31 and Z32, VQ V6 in the Z33 and Z34. The Z31 200ZR used an RB20DET inline-six.
• Turbo cars: the Japanese S130 turbo (two-litre L20ET, 145 PS) went on sale in October 1982, and the Z32 Twin Turbo VG30DETT is rated 280 PS.
• Open cars: a T-bar roof from November 1980 on the S130, a Z32 convertible from August 1992, and roadsters on the Z33 (October 2003) and Z34 (October 2009).
• Dates are Nissan's Japanese announcement or on-sale dates. For the Z34, the August 2022 end is Nissan's FAQ model coverage, not a last assembly date.
• Import age is judged on each car's manufacture date, and EPA's engine rule applies separately.

• The 240Z began as an export model and joined the Japanese S30 range in late 1971
• Inline-six engines in the S30 and S130, V6 engines from the Z31, with an RB20DET inline-six in the 200ZR
• Turbo engines on the S130 (L20ET, October 1982), the Z31 and the Z32 (VG30DETT twin turbo)
• A two-plus-two body joined the S30 in Japan in January 1974, and the Z32 launched as a two-seater and a 2by2
• Open cars from the Z32 convertible (August 1992), the Z33 roadster (October 2003) and the Z34 roadster (October 2009)

Dates are Nissan's Japanese announcement or on-sale dates unless stated. Each generation page has its own specification tables and checklist.

Generation names are broad families. The factory chassis codes below identify the variants represented in JDMBUYSELL's current Nissan Fairlady Z guide data.

First generation — S30 (1969–1978; announced October 1969, replaced August 1978)

Chassis codes: PS30, GS30, and HS30-H

Second generation — S130 (1978–1983; launched August 1978, replaced September 1983)

Chassis codes: HS130 and GS130

Third generation — Z31 (1983–1989; launched September 1983, replaced July 1989)

Chassis codes: GZ31, HZ31, HGZ31, and PZ31

Fourth generation — Z32 (1989–2000; launched July 1989, Japanese production ended August 2000)

Chassis code: Z32

Fifth generation — Z33 (2002–2008; on sale 30 July 2002, sales ended November 2008)

Chassis code: Z33

Sixth generation — Z34 (2008–2022; on sale 1 December 2008, Nissan FAQ coverage to August 2022)

Chassis code: Z34

Confirm the complete code on the vehicle's frame or VIN plate; drivetrain, body, and market variants can use different prefixes within one generation family.

This guide covers the Japanese-market Fairlady Z and uses Nissan's Japanese ratings in PS. The 240Z began as an export model, and the S130 was known overseas as the Datsun 280ZX. Japan sold the S130 turbo in the two-litre model only; the L28 turbo of the export 280ZX Turbo did not obtain Japanese type approval.

Engine options

How many Fairlady Z generations does this guide cover?

Six: the S30 (announced October 1969), S130 (Japanese launch August 1978), Z31 (September 1983), Z32 (July 1989), Z33 (on sale 30 July 2002) and Z34 (on sale 1 December 2008). Nissan's FAQ lists the next generation from August 2022, which this guide does not cover.

Which Fairlady Zs had a turbo in Japan?

The two-litre L20ET S130 went on sale on 18 October 1982 at 145 PS. The Z31 had the VG20ET and VG30ET turbo V6 engines and, in the 200ZR, an RB20DET inline-six. The Z32 Twin Turbo VG30DETT is rated 280 PS.

Was the 240Z sold in Japan?

It began as an export model, sold mainly to North America as of 1970. Nissan's heritage page says it went on sale in Japan in November 1971, while Nissan's press archive dates the release to 20 October 1971.

Can I import a Fairlady Z to the US or Canada?

The US 25-year rule is judged on each car's own date of manufacture (49 CFR 591.5(i)), not on model year or launch date. EPA's exemption for vehicles at least 21 years old requires the original engine model and configuration, or an equivalent or newer EPA-certified replacement engine. Canada uses 15 years, counted from the month and year of manufacture.