The Nissan 350Z Was The Revival Of A Legend

The Nissan 350Z successfully brought the Z nameplate back from the grave. It did this by going in its own, modern direction. The 350Z was made possible because of the efforts of creative designers, relentless engineers, and ingenious executives at Nissan. This video extensively covers the conception, design, market reception, and lasting legacy of the Nissan 350Z. The Datsun 240Z was a revelation, not just for Nissan, but for Japanese cars and the automotive industry as a whole. It offered stellar performance and unparalleled practicality in a stylish and affordable package. Nissan’s two-seat runabout started at $3,526, which undercut established sports cars by a considerable margin. And with 150 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque, it blew other coupes around its price range out of the water. Shifting consumer tastes and increasingly stringent safety and emissions regulations forced the Z to evolve. In 1974, the 240Z became the 260Z. The update was all but necessary to maintain the status quo. While it brought performance figures back to snuff (and then some), it also added weight and introduced complexity. Engine displacement for American-market examples increased again to 2.8L in 1975. For as much of a sensation as the S30 was, it would be impossible to carry its philosophy into the 80s. The Z had to adapt or die. BECOME A PATRON:   / barchettamedia   SOURCES: https://www.barchetta.co/350z-sources DEAN'S GARAGE ARTICLE: https://www.deansgarage.com/ndi-nissa... ARTICLES, SOURCES, AND MORE: https://www.barchetta.co TIMESTAMPS 00:00 INTRO 2:34 ROAD SONG (1998 Z Concept) 9:17 HISTORY OF NISSAN DESIGN AMERICA 14:13 1999 Z CONCEPT 18:13 EARLY DESIGN PHASE 24:52 AJAY PANCHAL INTRODUCTION 26:01 FINAL DESIGN EVALUATION 28:01 MISC ENGINEERING NOTES 29:32 2001 350Z CONCEPT 30:57 SOLO TESTS 32:15 COMPARISON TESTS 36:11 INFINITI G35 37:51 TRIM LEVELS/MODEL UPDATES