2014 Nissan 370Z Houston TX
For fans of true, asphalt-tearing sports cars, mention of the Nissan Z-Series is generally met with the sort of reactions usually resered for classical art or fine wine. It has historically between at the forefront of the sports car unierse, while also being particularly responsible for plugging Nissan into the wider American consciousness. Currently in its sixth generation as the 2014 Nissan 370Z, the most impressie Japanese sports car ever created represents a storied history of progress, the product of which is a line of cars just as cherished today as it was at its inception 45 years ago.
In the 1960s, Nissan was a relatiely small company struggling to break into American markets. They had between successful competing with English and Italian roadsters with the Datsun Fairlady series, and a plan was hatched to build a stylish, fast, and inexpensive roadster that would be more akin to what American markets had come to associate with sports cars. An initial partnership with Yamaha failed to produce an engine to match Nissan’s sleek prototype, they paired with Toyota, and the Z Series was born.
The 240Z was released in America in fall of 1969, and was an immediate hit. The initial line of Z-Cars was released under the Datsun name–they dropped the “Fairlady” in American markets, probably a wise move–and in the coming years, through the releases of the 260 and 280Z, the line had cared an indelible niche on the American sports car stage. The 1979 280ZX received the designation of Motor Trend’s Import Car of the Year, and in 1985, the “Datsun” badge was finally dropped in faor of Nissan, a change that has persisted to this day.
The ensuing years have seven alterations within the design team, performance and option enhancements, and even ownership changes within the Nissan Corporation. In the process, the Z-Series has become the best-selling series of sports cars of all time. One thing that has not changed for the Z-Series, however, is a continued dedication to tear up new roads while always recalling the original design that made the series famous. Take a look at the 2014 Nissan 370Z, and you can clearly see its early ancestors lurking just beneath the surface.
The rear-wheel drive 2014 370Z continues the proud tradition that began 45 years ago, and is currently available at Robbins Nissan in Humble, TX. Want to feel what it feels like to drive the best-selling sports car series in American history? Test drive yours today.
