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- 1978 280 Zx,zxt (HGS130)
Nissan1978 Nissan 280 Zx,zxt (HGS130) Dimensions, Size & Specs| Production | |
|---|---|
| Model Year: | 1978 |
| Production Years: | 1978 - 1984 discontinued in 1984 |
The Nissan 280 ZX (HGS130) is a celebrated sports coupe produced between 1978 and 1984. As the successor to the iconic Datsun 240Z, the 280 ZX marked a significant evolution in the Nissan Z-car lineage by offering enhanced luxury, comfort, and performance features while retaining the Z series’ sporty appeal. This generation was available in both the 280 ZX and the sportier 280 ZXT variants, with the latter often equipped with a turbocharged engine for increased power output.
The 280 ZX coupe featured a more refined and aerodynamic body design compared to its predecessors, emphasizing smooth lines and improved cruising comfort suitable for grand touring. This made the car attractive for drivers looking for a blend between sports performance and everyday usability. The vehicle’s dimensions were typical for a late 1970s sports coupe, measuring approximately 4,430 mm (174.4 inches) in length, around 1,690 mm (66.5 inches) in width, and a height near 1,280 mm (50.4 inches), although specific figures could vary slightly depending on the model year and market.
With a wheelbase of approximately 2,380 mm (93.7 inches), the Nissan 280 ZX balanced handling and stable cornering, complemented by a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. The car’s curb weight typically ranged between 1,300 kg to 1,400 kg (2,866 to 3,086 lbs), making it competitive with other sports coupes of its era.
Under the hood, the naturally aspirated 2.8-liter inline-six engine produced respectable power, delivering smooth acceleration and a sporty driving experience. The 280 ZXT turbocharged version further enhanced performance, targeting enthusiasts seeking more spirited performance with turbocharging technology of the time.
Inside, the 280 ZX focused on driver comfort and convenience, offering improved interior quality, optional air conditioning, power windows, and digital instrumentation in later models. These enhancements positioned the 280 ZX as a grand tourer rather than just a raw sports coupe.
Today, the Nissan 280 ZX (HGS130) remains a highly regarded classic car with a reputation for robust engineering, stylish looks, and balanced performance. It represents an important chapter in Nissan’s Z-car history, bridging the gap between the early 240Z and later, more modern iterations of the Z series.
Discover the standout features that make the 1978 Nissan 280 Zx,zxt a leader in its class
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The Nissan 280ZX (HGS130), produced between 1978 and 1984, has a length of approximately 4,345 mm (171.1 inches), a width of about 1,695 mm (66.7 inches), and a height of around 1,275 mm (50.2 inches). These dimensions reflect its classic coupe design, offering a sleek and aerodynamic profile compared to its predecessor. The compact width and relatively low height contribute to its sporty stance, while the length provides adequate interior space for a sports coupe. This size helped it maintain a balance between a comfortable driving experience and agile handling.
The curb weight of the Nissan 280ZX HGS130 ranges approximately between 1,250 kg to 1,350 kg (2,755 to 2,976 lbs), depending on specific trims and equipment options. This moderate weight for a sports coupe of its era allows for relatively nimble handling and improved stability, especially considering the car's rear-wheel-drive layout. The balance of weight aided the 280ZX in providing a sporty yet comfortable driving experience, with enough heft to ensure good road presence but light enough for decent acceleration and maneuverability.
The wheelbase of the Nissan 280ZX HGS130 is approximately 2,435 mm (95.9 inches). This wheelbase length positions the car squarely within typical sports coupe dimensions of the late 1970s and early 1980s. A longer wheelbase compared to smaller sports cars provides improved ride comfort and greater high-speed stability, while still allowing for responsive handling. This contributes to the 280ZX's reputation for blending sporty performance with grand touring comfort, making it a versatile vehicle for both spirited driving and longer journeys.
The Nissan 280ZX Coupe offers comfortable interior dimensions for a two-seater sports coupe with occasional rear seats. Front legroom measures about 1,070 mm (42.1 inches), providing ample space for taller drivers and passengers. Headroom is reasonably generous at approximately 990 mm (39 inches), although the sloping coupe roofline means some taller occupants may find it a snug fit. The rear seats are relatively small and better suited for occasional use or short trips due to limited leg and headroom. Overall, the interior space reflects a balance between sporty design and reasonable passenger comfort.
The Nissan 280ZX coupe offers a cargo capacity of approximately 227 liters (8 cubic feet) in the rear hatch area. While not expansive, this space is sufficient for everyday errands such as grocery shopping or carrying small to medium-sized luggage. The hatchback design enhances practicality by allowing easier loading and unloading compared to a traditional trunk. However, the sloping rear roofline limits vertical storage height, which may restrict carrying bulkier items. Overall, for a sports coupe of its time, the 280ZX balances sporty aesthetics with reasonable cargo practicality.
Yes, the Nissan 280ZX (HGS130) fits comfortably in a standard residential garage. With a length of 4,345 mm (171.1 inches), width of 1,695 mm (66.7 inches), and height of 1,275 mm (50.2 inches), it is well within the dimensions that typical single-car garages can accommodate, which generally measure around 6,000 mm (20 feet) long by 3,000 mm (10 feet) wide internally. Its relatively low height also means typical garage door heights of around 2,100 mm (7 feet) provide ample clearance. Owners should still measure specific garage dimensions to ensure precision, but overall, the 280ZX is practical for garaging in most residential settings.
The Nissan 280ZX (HGS130) is an evolution of the Datsun 280Z (S130) and features modest dimensional changes that reflect its more comfort-oriented and grand touring design philosophy. The 280ZX is slightly longer and wider than the 280Z, offering improved interior space and a more substantial road presence. For example, the 280ZX's length is about 4,345 mm (171.1 inches) compared to the 280Z’s roughly 4,130 mm (162.6 inches), and its width increased to approximately 1,695 mm (66.7 inches) from the 280Z’s 1,695 mm (comparable). Height and wheelbase also saw slight increases, resulting in a larger, more refined vehicle offering improved ride quality and comfort, though slightly less focused on pure sports performance than the earlier model.
Compared to contemporaries like the Toyota Celica Supra, Mazda RX-7 (first generation), and Chevrolet Camaro of the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Nissan 280ZX offered competitive dimensions. It balanced sporty proportions with reasonable interior and cargo space, often outperforming smaller sports cars like the RX-7 in terms of creature comforts and storage capacity. Measuring about 4,345 mm (171.1 inches) in length and 1,695 mm (66.7 inches) in width, it was neither the smallest nor the largest in its segment, but its blend of size, weight, and practical hatchback design made it a versatile grand touring sports coupe. This gave it an edge for buyers seeking performance combined with everyday usability.
The Nissan 280ZX HGS130 features a distinctive and sleek coupe silhouette with a long sloping hood and sharply raked windshield, emphasizing aerodynamic efficiency. It adopts a more modern and refined look compared to the earlier 280Z, including larger bumpers to meet safety regulations of the time and integrated rear hatchback design for improved practicality. Alloy wheels, pop-up headlights (in later models), and sleek chrome accents contributed to its sporty yet elegant appearance. The design reflected a shift towards grand touring, combining visual appeal with comfort and usability, setting it apart from rawer sports cars of the late 1970s and early 1980s.
The Nissan 280ZX (HGS130) was primarily powered by a 2.8-liter inline-six engine, known as the L28E, featuring fuel injection that produced around 170 horsepower (127 kW). Some markets also had turbocharged variants (L28ET), which boosted power to approximately 200 horsepower (149 kW), providing significantly improved acceleration and top speed. Paired with either a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic transmission, the 280ZX balanced performance with smooth power delivery and improved fuel efficiency for its class. This powertrain made the 280ZX competitive in the sports coupe segment, offering a blend of spirited driving and reliability.
