I know this is a few years on from the classic z's, but it's a damn head scratcher. My friend's brother has a 300zr, it seems to be prety much the same as the z31 300zx. Anyone know anything about this? What's different, etc. It seems to be really rare and there's not much info on the net.

zep

Hi Zep,

Those "late model" Z cars are not my specialist subject, but I believe the 300ZR was a Japanese "Home" market-only special edition, not officially sold outside Japan. Perhaps you friend's brother's car was a personal import? It's not to be confused with the 200ZR.

There were two version of the 300ZR - the first in October 1986 and the second ( apparently rarer ) in June 1988. The 1988 special edition came with viscous LSD and 50-series tyres.

They both had the VG30DE engine rated at 190ps and a 5-speed manual trans. and came in the 2-seater and 2 by 2 body shapes.

Basically, I think the 300ZR was one of those last-gasp special editions that car companies put out just before the debut of a completely new model ( in this case the Z32 in July 1989 ).

Alan T.

( edited )

What he said :classic:

There is also the 200ZX & 200ZR, the former being VG20E(T) powered & the latter being RB20DET powered (was there an NA 200ZR?)

I believe that the 200ZR was also limited run car, but the 200ZX was more common than the 300ZX

Good stuff Ben,

I don't think there was an N/A 200ZR, from what data I have on hand - they all seemed to be turboed. There were two versions of 200ZR as well as two versions of 300ZR ( both called I & II ). I don't have any data on a 200ZX. Was that an official import to Australia or was it a Japan-only model? I can't see any mention of it in my stuff ( although the Z31 is admittedly not my strong point ).

Factory codes were as follows:

*200ZR-I & 200ZR-II ( 2 seater ) = PZ31

*200ZR-I & 200ZR-II ( 2 by 2 ) = PGZ31

( so ZR-I & ZR-II had the same factory prefixes - confusingly )

*300ZR-I & 300ZR-II ( 2 seater ) = HZ31

*300ZR-I & 300ZR-II ( 2 by 2 ) = HGZ31

( so the 300ZR did actually come in the "2 by 2" as well - which contradicts what I said in the above post. I've now edited it ).

There are a few others too.............

So there were obviously lots of special versions / promo / anniversary models that were only seen in Japan.

Interesting, isn't it?

Regards,

Alan T.

they kept the inline six in the next gen Z car unlike here

Rather than say what madels were Japan only, I'll say that the Z31 300ZX 2by2 NA & Turbo were the only Australian delivered models....

There are a few of the 200Z(X)®'s kicking around, but not many.

I've never seen a 300ZR on the road here in Aus.

Also, we only got the Z32 300ZX 2by2 NA, all the TT's 2-seaters & convertibles are imports.