The Datsun brand automobile is owned and produced by Nissan. The name originated in 1931 when Dat Motorcar Company came out with a new smaller version of their original car. The company named this car "Datson", but when Nissan bought out the company they changed the name to "Datsun". Many types of this car were produced including the Fairlady, 240Z, and the 140Z.

Datsun 160Z (B210) (1978–1979)

Following the success of the Datsun 140Z, Nissan-Datsun South Africa announced the 160Z in July 1978 . The engine was upgraded to the L16 motor as per the 160U SSS, and fitted with high performance camshaft and twin Hitachi side-draught carburettors based on the British SU type carburettor. Although the engine put out 71 kW (less than the 85 kW of the 140Z) the car had more torque at 140 N.m (DIM) at 4,200 rpm against the 140Z’s 130 N.m (DIN) at 5,000 rpm. The brakes (

MacPherson strut The MacPherson strut is a type of automotive suspension system that uses the top of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in the front suspension of modern vehicles, and is named for American automotive engineer Ear ...

front suspension with

disc brakes A disc brake is a type of brake that uses the calipers to squeeze pairs of pads against a disc or a "rotor" to create friction. This action slows the rotation of a shaft, such as a vehicle axle, either to reduce its rotational speed or to hol ...

) were developed according to the 280L Series pattern of increased calliper and disc size, and both rear springs and shock absorbers were also enhanced to eliminate axle-tramp. Datsun 160z DX GL Grill with Z Badge

The 160Z colour scheme was based on the

Datsun 280Z The Nissan S30 (sold in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and in other markets as the Datsun 240Z, then later as the 260Z and 280Z) is the first generation of Z GT 3-door two-seat coupés, produced by Nissan Motors, Ltd. of Japan from 1969 until ...

Zap car and came out in canary yellow with red, orange and yellow inlayed black decals, colour matched high back seats and Mexican stripe-cloth stitched in the centre panels. The 160Z also had front and rear spoilers; however, the front spoiler differed from the 140Z. Earlier models included a black rubber rear spoiler, whilst others had a colour matched yellow fibreglass rear spoiler – there is speculation as to whether Datsun-Nissan South Africa could no longer procure rubber spoilers or whether they felt the fibreglass spoiler was lighter and more durable than the rubber one. The 160Z, as with the 140Z, had the DX/GL front grill (without integrated driving lights) with a ‘Datsun Z’ badge. Both the 160Z and 140Z had rear window louvres, manufactured by Perana Louvres South Africa. In addition, the 160Z had aluminium alloy wheels designed by Eddie Keizan of Tiger Wheels which were then later fitted to the 140Y and 160Y GX models, also part of the Y Series. Datsun 160z Alloy Wheels

Datsun 160z Highback Mexican Strip Cloth Seats

Nissan-Datsun South Africa produced 120 160Z’s in 1977 then retailing at ZAR 5,595, and 121 in 1979 retailing at ZAR 6,395 before being discontinued. By 1980 the final stock was being sold for ZAR 6,530

Specifications

Source:Auto Data Digest 95/96, Edition 21, Mead and McGrouther (Pty) Ltd pg 406 Engine *Type:1.6 L ''4 CYL OHC 1,595cm³'', cast-iron block, alloy head, two valves per cylinder,

single overhead cam An overhead camshaft (OHC) engine is a piston engine where the camshaft is located in the cylinder head above the combustion chamber. This contrasts with earlier overhead valve engines (OHV), where the camshaft is located below the combustion c ...

*Bore & stroke: 83 x 73.7mm *Idling speed: 600r/min *Power (Max) DIN: 71 kW @5,800 r/min *Torque (Max) DIN: 140 N.m @ 4,200 r/min *Compression ratio: 9,0:1 *Compression pressure: 1170 kPa *Oil pressure: 340/400 kPa *Firing order: 1,4,3,2 (No. 1 at front) *Radiator cap pressure: 88 kPa *Thermostat opening temp: 82 °C Carburettor *Type: Twin Hitachi SU-type

carburetor A carburetor (also spelled carburettor) is a device used by an internal combustion engine to control and mix air and fuel entering the engine. The primary method of adding fuel to the intake air is through the venturi tube in the main meteri ...

*Main jet: Needle Transmission *Clutch type: Diaphragm *Gearbox: 4 speed manual *Rear axle: Semi-floating *Final drive: 4,11:1 *Speed in top gear per 1,000 r/min: 27.2 km/h Suspension *Front:

*Rear: Semi-elliptic leaf Steering *Type: Recirculating ball *Turning circle: 9.6mm Tyres and wheels *Sizes: 165 x 13 Radial *Rim size: 5.5J *Tyre pressures: ** Front: 190 kPa ** Rear: 190 kPa Dimensions *Wheelbase: 2,340 mm (92.13 in) *Length: 4,045 mm (159.25 in) *Width: 1,545 mm (60.83 in) *Height: 1,370 mm (53.94 in) *Weight: 970 kg (2,138.48 lb) Brakes *Type: **Front: Disks **Rear: Drums *Dia: **Front: 212.5 mm **Rear: 203.2 mm *Servo assisted: Yes Capacities *Sump: 4.2L *Gearbox: 1.7L *Final drive: 0.8L *Radiator: 7.0L *Fuel tank: 43L

Sources

{{reflist * Imagery courtesy of E Gerber o
www.160z.co.za

Datsun 160Z (B210) (1978–1979)

Specifications

Sources

See also