The 1981 280ZX engine got a compression bump that pushed output from 135 hp to 145. A nine-second 0-60 mph time was about a second off the pace of a base Corvette.

We can't say that the Datsun 280ZX is our favorite Z-Car -- we far and away prefer the clean lines of the 240, 260 and even the non-ZX 280 to the fussy, cocaine-era luxury GT complete with T-tops ...

The 1981 Datsun 280ZX in this edition’s column is still a great-looking and stylish two-seater car. The car and the company have an interesting history. The Datsun name is owned by Nissan, but ...

The 145-horsepower engine easily handles the 2,877-pound weight of the 280ZX. The speedometer can register speeds up to 140 mph. That instrument is next to the 7,000-rpm tachometer.