Nissan 50th Anniversary Z Unveiled

Nissan North America unveils the 370Z 50^th Anniversary Edition appearance package in time for the 2019 New York international auto show, commemorating the original Datsun 240Z, a sports car intended for everyday use that in the 1970s helped put what was then the Datsun brand on the map in the U.S.

The ’20 370Z 50^th Anniversary Edition is distinguished by racing-inspired exterior colors, special badging, and exterior and interior trim and equipment. It goes on sale this month. Pricing is to be announced. The nearest equivalent in the 2019 lineup is the 370Z Sport model, which has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $33,820, not including $895 destination and handling.

The Anniversary Edition’s color scheme mimics the original Brock Racing Enterprises Datsun 240Z BRE race car, which debuted in 1970. At introduction, the models come in two paint schemes only, white with red accents or silver with black accents. The painted accents include the hood, A-pillars, trunk and side mirrors.

Anniversary editions are powered by the same 3.7L V-6 engine as the ’19 370Z, which produces 332 hp and 270 lb.-ft. (366 Nm) of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is standard and a 7-speed automatic is available. The standard wheels are 19-in. alloys, with red accents for either color scheme.

Inside, special touches include a “50th Anniversary” steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara faux suede. The heated, 4-way power seats have unique stitching, graphics and an extra-large 50th Anniversary logo embossed into the head restraints.

Parent Nissan formerly used the Datsun brand for export models only. It started phasing out the Datsun brand in the U.S. in 1983, and by 1986 it was fully replaced by the Nissan brand.

While U.S. sales of the Nissan 370Z hit 10,215 in 2010, in 2018 sales of the car tallied 3,468, down 24.8% from 2017 volume, according to Wards Intelligence data, mimicking the downfall of many other models in the Middle Specialty segment. The segment had a dozen models in 2009, but counts just four today (Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger, Ford Mustang and the 370Z).