Introduction & Acknowledgements

This book, the second of two volumes, looks in detail at all the Nissan sports cars that proudly carried the Fairlady name - the third generation Z (Z31) and its successor (the high-tech Z32), and the new Z series, commonly known as the 350Z in export markets.

The 240Z was a landmark in automotive history. Known in Japan as the Fairlady Z, it inherited the Fairlady moniker from a series of roadsters that put Datsun on the first rung of the sports car ladder.

By the time the second generation of Z-cars came to the end of their production run, everyone around the world knew and respected the Japanese marque. However, the Datsun name was then abandoned: the Nissan era had begun, with a new upmarket image for the Z.

This book covers the complete production and competition history of the Fairlady range, from the first 300ZX models of 1983 to the 2004 model year vehicles of today. It contains a great deal of new information for enthusiasts in the West, as Japanese models are covered in detail, along with those sold in Europe and America. Photographs and other illustrations have been sourced almost exclusively from the factory, so dedicated owners searching for originality are also well catered for.

This two-part story covering the history of the Fairlady Roadsters and the five generations of Z-car that followed was originally published in two volumes in the late 1990s. The research for these books brought me into contact with so many people, many of whom I’m still in regular contact with to this day.

This project would not have been possible without the help and support of a cast of thousands, but I would like to single out Yoshihiko Matsuo (designer of the 240Z), John Yukawa, Win Percy, Tony Fall, Eiichi Shimizu, Johnnie Gable, Rob Beddington, Len Welch, Lynne Godber, James Morris, Kevin Bristow, Alan Thomas, Kenichi Kobayashi, Tetsu Goto, ‘Mad’ Mike Taylor and the Gangsters, Makoto Oura and the other DSCC members, Tetsu Takakamo, the PR team at Nissan (especially Shingo Suzuki) and, of course, my wife Miho, who is always on hand when it comes to translation.

Last, but certainly not least, I would like to thank my friend and mentor, Yutaka Katayama, for not only writing a Foreword for both volumes of this work, but also for encouraging me to keep going through the low spots. My son, Louis, is very lucky to have him as a godfather, for Mr K is indeed an exceptional person; strong in business, yet warm, witty and compassionate at the same time. I remember once saying that I wanted to fight to get him a medal from the Emperor in recognition of all he has done, and still does, for Japan - he is a magnificent ambassador for the country - but he said he’d be just as happy with one from me. I have a feeling that was his humour coming through as usual, but, nonetheless, I want to dedicate these two books to Mr K. These pages are my paper medal awarded to you ...

Brian Long

Chiba, Japan