1986 Nissan 300ZX

- Texas Car
- T-Tops
- 3.0 V6 with a 5-Speed Manual
- Fun and Affordable

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1986 Nissan 300ZX on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 145 high-definition photographs of the car, including a short walk-around video, as well as a link to its accident-and-damage-free Carfax history report, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)

“The Nissan 300ZX – The ultimate in sports cars road test” –Leonard Kucinski, The Morning Call, July 1986

It's fair to note that the glowing accolade quoted above comes from a period review published the same year the Nissan 300ZX being offered here was built, some 35 years ago. While performance parameters have moved on from those days, the appeal of a sports car of that era lies in its ability to deliver today exactly what was delivered back then. And as the Morning Call review makes clear, the 300ZX was—and is—a special automobile: “The 300ZX is not only incredibly fast, incredibly maneuverable, and incredibly good-looking, it is also incredibly luxurious and comfortable. All-in-all, the 300ZX looks even sportier than last year's model which itself was a handsome car.”

On handling, the quintessential sports car requirement: “Steering is quick and responsive and does require some concentration. The car turns quickly, where it is steered whether or not the driver had that intention. In other words, you can't daydream and just move the steering wheel back and forth. The 300ZX Turbo is made for the serious driver and it is just about as good as you can get when it comes to handling.”

Overall, the silver-over-black '86 300ZX offered here shows very well for its age. At just over 117,000 total miles—a very conservative 3,340 miles per-year on average—from a usage standpoint, this is low-mileage luxury sports car.

The exterior silver paint has been properly maintained over the years and is free of obvious damage. The black rear-deck spoiler shows no cracks or other damage. Similarly, there are no dents or dings marring the body panels. Impact-absorbing bumpers appear to have absorbed no impacts. Body-panel fit is excellent, characteristic of Japanese manufacturing in the Eighties. Badging is complete, front and back. Pop-up headlights function properly. The cabin glass—including on the two removable t-top panels and the sloping rear windscreen—is clear and free of damage. Original “Z”-branded styled wheels are original to the car.

Inside, the car is a bastion of period Japanese design. From the digital driver's display (especially the tachometer), to the various square-design switchgear and green-lighted analog auxiliary instruments, to the expansive controls across the center stack, to the 5-speed manual transmission shifter on the console, and the overhead lighting controls, it all says “Eighties.” The well bolstered front bucket seats offer excellent comfort and support even by today's standards. Not surprisingly for a car that has resided in the Southwest for most of its life, there is some sun-fading on the seat coverings and cabin carpeting.

Under the hood, the car's original 3.0-liter (3000 cc, as indicated) V6 engine is complete, although the engine bay has not been detailed. All components—including air conditioning—are in place and properly mounted. Shock towers show no sign of rust. The car wears its original data tags. The undercarriage is free of obvious damage from overly aggressive driving or track use.

The condition of this 300ZX is faithfully presented from every angle (including from below) in the more than 145 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available at the GarageKeptMotors site. That said, we always encourage in-person, up-close inspections by interested parties at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. We ask only that appointments be made in advance by phone or email so that we can devote our full attention to our visitors and this '86 Nissan 2+2 sports car. Our showroom is not open to the public.

Back in the day, the launch advertising for this car was headlined “The New Nissan 300ZX—The Pace Car for the Performance Generation.” The copy proclaimed: “Motor Trend Magazine called the 300ZX 'the best all around z-car ever built.'” Experiencing this “Z” some three decades on really is a trip back to a different, but compelling level of performance. Your ticket for that trip is on sale right here.