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- Exterior
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- Chassis # JN1CZ24D8TX580270
- 1 Of Only 7 Produced In Purple Pearl Metallic
- Original Paint, Completely Stock, And Unmodified
- Showing Only 50,100 Miles From New
- Powered By A 3.0 Liter V-6 Twin-Turbo Engine
- A Hastily Appreciating Surefire Modern Collectible
The Overview
The Z32 Nissan 300ZX is the second generation of Nissan’s Fairlady Z. It comes from a long lineage of mid-range sports cars dating back to the 1970s with the birth of the iconic 240Z. “Built for the Human Race” was Nissan’s slogan at the time the Z32 was released which was very fitting for a car that was meant to be an attainable sports car for the masses. The Z32 saw major design and power train changes from the previous generation Z31. Stylistically, the general wedge shape design remained the same. Toshio Yamashita, the lead designer of the Z32, decided to reduce the number of hard lines and widen the body giving it a timeless 1990s look that would remain the same until the release of the Z33 in 2003.
Mechanically, the Z32 was a top performer with a 300hp 3.0L DOHC V6 fitted with two Garrett turbochargers. This power plant propelled the 300Z to 60 mph in just under 6 seconds. Steering was also upgraded using an active rear-wheel steering system called “Super HICAS” first seen on the Nissan Skyline. It also came with anti-lock brakes and four-piston aluminum calipers up front, which was advanced for its time in the early 1990s. Though approximately 18,274 Twin-Turbo Z32s have been produced for the US market, many of these fell victim to owners that heavily modified the cars and drove them extensively. After all, they were very usable and tuneable cars meant to be reliably fast. The Z32 also hit a low price point after depreciation which made them a lot more attainable for the owner who could not afford to store them properly or maintain them accordingly.
The 1996 300ZX on offer here is chassis #JN1CZ24D8TX580270 is finished in Purple Pearl Metallic (LP2) and is one of only 7 examples finished in this paint and featuring the twin-turbo V6. Showing only 50,100 original miles this 300ZX presents in wonderful condition for its mileage and we would consider it a perfect driver example that given its rarity will continue to appreciate in value very nicely over the years. According to the included clean CARFAX report, this 300ZX was sold new in California, where it remained, through the year 2000 and 41,948 miles. From there it lived in Washington state until 2014, driven just under 6,000 miles for a total of 47,179 miles on the odometer, till it was sold to its 3’rd owner who resided in Oregon. The 3’rd owner also drove it sparingly, selling it to the current owner and consignor in 2019. This unmodified example is currently owned by a JDM fanatic, and benefits from fresh rubber and new OEM brakes that were fitted on the car within the past 100 miles.
With 300 horsepower on tap from its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, the 300ZX has the go to back up its classic 90’s good looks. Climbing behind the wheel finds oneself in a very comfortable driving position with everything you might need easily within reach, a quirk from 90s Japanese cars we definitely miss in modern ones!
The Details
exterior
body and paint
Given its mileage and age, the all original Purple Pearl Metallic paint is in fantastic condition still with a nice even finish all around and excellent color. There are a few very minor stone chips in the front fascia from normal usage, a small chip in the paint on the lower portion of the passenger door and the lower edge of the lip has some very minor road rash but that is really the extent of any issues. The body is straight and tidy with excellent gaps and panel fitment all around. Overall this car presents exactly as one would expect for the mileage and careful ownership.
glass and trim
The glass throughout the car remains in excellent condition. It appears to all be original with each pain still bearing its Nissan branding. The removable tops are in likewise good condition, clean and clear. The headlight lenses are free of chipping or cracking, as are the fogs, markers lights, and taillights. Rubber and plastic trim around the car retains excellent color and remains in good condition.
wheels
The 5-spoke wheels are all in excellent condition with a nice clean finish to them as well as having clean lug nuts and center caps.
notable flaws
There is some minor chipping on the front fascia of the car in-line with the indicated mileage.
interior
seats and surfaces
The black leather, accented with gray suede, interior is in wonderful condition and something you will only find on 1996 models. The interior as a whole presents as one would expect from a car with lower mileage showing very minimal signs of use. The seats remain in excellent condition with nice solid bolsters. There is a bit of residual staining on the passenger seat where it looks like something may have spilled at some point in the car's life. The staining is very light and only present upon close inspection. The carpets and the cloth trim on the dash and center console are in likewise good condition with excellent color and showing very minimal wear. The dash is smooth with excellent color and is free of any warping or cracking. The door cards show no issues and the jams and sills of the doors are likewise clean and tidy.
functionality and accessories
Everything in the interior appears to function exactly as it should, with no issues to note. The windows move up and down with ease, the doors open and close lightly, and all the switches, buttons, and knobs appear in great cosmetic and mechanical condition. The gauges are clean and clear with good color and readability. They appear to read their requisite functions as they should.
notable flaws
The interior remains in remarkably good original condition. The only real area of note is a very minor and small spot of staining on the passenger side seat.
engine bay and trunk
engine bay
The engine bay is in fantastic and original condition with no signs of having ever been modified. Everything is very clean and tidy and one look will tell you that the car has been properly cared for its whole life. Factory stickers and markings throughout the compartment and painted surfaces are clean and straight with excellent color. All hoses, tubes, wires, etc. look well kept and tidy with no old or frayed components present. On the underside of the hood, the fire padding is clean and well fitting with factory stickers adorning their correct locations.
trunk area
Raising the rear hatch reveals a clean and well-kept trunk with well-fitting carpeting showing next to no wear. Lifting the carpet reveals a factory sticker on the underside. Below the carpet, the floor of the trunk is smooth and clean with the particle board spare tire cover still retaining factory stickers. The factory spare appears as if it has never been mounted and still retains a cautionary sticker on the face of the wheel.
Underside
The underside shows a car that has been well looked after and only driven in nice conditions. It is fairly clean and dry with no real issues to note. Factory Nissan branded exhaust is in place and in good condition.
mechanicals
engine
This 300ZX has been very well maintained and looked after and it shows in the mechanical prowess of the car. The engine fires right to life with a quick turn of the key and settles quickly into a smooth and consistent idle. The engine revs freely and makes excellent power with no flat spots or stutters in acceleration.
transmission
The transmission shifts smoothly between gears and holds power nicely with no issues to note. The clutch feels responsive and take-up is good with a nice positive feedback.
brakes and suspension
The brakes bring the car to a smooth and controlled stop with no issue to note. The suspension feels tight and compliant, again with no issues to note.
tires
The tires are a new set of Yokohama Advan A052 in 245/45 R16 94W on all four corners. They have less than 100 miles on them and appear to be in stellar condition.