While the original Datsun 240Z from 1969 and its Z32-code 300ZX descendant that debuted 20 years later are feted as performance icons and true driver’s cars, the stuff between those two eras, was often accused of being too soft and too heavy. We’re thinking specifically of the models from the late 1970s, the ones built before turbocharging was introduced to recover some zip.
But even during that period, the Z was a real weapon the racetrack, scooping SCCA and IMSA wins that help fuel even bigger successes in the showroom. And some of that motorsport magic made its way to the cars you could you could buy from your U.S. dealer in the form of the 280 ZXR, a rare homologation special you might have never even have heard of.
Related: A Collector Is Selling Some Stunning Datsun 240Z, 260Z, And 280Zs
The ZXR wasn’t radically different from a stock 280ZX of the time. We’re not talking E30 M3-grade changes. It had the same 2.8-liter, SOHC, inline six developing the same 135 hp (137 PS), though obviously the actual racers had more. And it had the same flat seats and staggeringly dull two-spoke steering wheel that tried its hardest to disaude you from placing your hands where any serious driver should put them.
But it did have some eye-catching graphics, and, more importantly, a huge rear spoiler to homologate the special rear wing on its racers. Datsun had to produce a minimum of 1,000 cars to sanction the mod on the track and built 1,001 (some sources say 1,009) street ZXRs, each owner stumping up $399 on top of the cost of a normal 280ZX.
That relatively low production run (and the ZX’s propensity to disintegrate at the merest sniff of moisture) means they’re not often seen on the road today, and the car in these pictures barely knows what a road is. It was delivered new to St. Yves Motor Sales in Berkley, Massachusetts, became part of the St. Yves Collection following its PDI, and has covered only 15 miles (24 km) since. If you want to be the first person to test out the downforce properties of that historic rear spoiler on this car look out for it crossing the auction block at Mecum’s Kissimmee sale in January.
