Scanned these from the Nissan published book on the design of the 280ZX. Thought they were interesting seeing there is always a lot of discussion on 'improving' the original, remember the sketches were part of the process at the time the car was being designed in the late 1970's, some of the features were quite advanced, some not used may be preferred today.

Good book, particularly on how we ended up with the car that is the 280ZX. Pics are back to front, click on the second one first.

 

im glad they didnt make the rear part of the body that long!!

 

Note one of the rear lights proposals had round tail lights, then there was the Z31 style front. The stylists had the ideas all right, conservative final choices though.

 

i used to have that same book... they did have a round tail light concept.. its second to the bottom right.. they also tried the 200SX tailight configuration as well.. i did like the last one with the lower profile and it kinda looks like its been flared out a bit...

 

Whats that book called? Where did you get it? I would be very interested in getting my hands on one.

 

that's always the way they go. Make some cool looking concept cars then go with something less flashy for the final product.

Extreme cars don't usualy sell as well to the general market. Auto manufacturers hope to sell to a variety of ages and tastes. Not just the young or older croud.

Is that the book with the red 280ZX on the black front cover?

 

Here is the book, good for three days http://cgi.ebay.com.au/DATSUN-280ZX-...QQcmdZViewItem

Can we blame the 'conservative' American market for the lack of a decent rear end

 

you can blame America for everything since the world revolves around us!

 

Nah... Blame Canada... That's what we do



Rod.

 

I'm bidding on that book, everyone else back off!

 

Like a woman once told me, 'it's always the man's fault'. So we substitute 'USA' for 'man' here?

 

hey, we gonna start this again?!

 

So did you win the bidding?

Daniel