Current revision

Similar to the prior 140Z, the South Africa 160Y Coupe was the basis for the 1978-1980 160Z special.

1 Overview
2 160Z-ZOOOOOOOM!
3 Context
4 Cape Town
5 Pedro's 1979
6 Riaan
7 Specifications

[edit]

Overview

<160Z>

Datsun-Nissan South Africa produced specials based on the Sunny Excellent B210 series with L-engine power. In 1978, the new Datsun 160Zᵂ — with L16 power — replaced the 140Z. This was an even more-limited-edition only available in Canary Yellow.

Post 479459

Early 160Z rear with black spoiler
Post 496387

Datsun 160Z - Limited Series, price R5595
1978: 120 Nov-Dec
1979: 121
1980: remaining 1979 stock sold for R6530
total 241

The 160Z — in Coupe-only form — was introduced for the 1978 model year:

different spoilers to the 140Z
Front air dam spoiler
Rear spoiler, black rubber or yellow fibreglass
Canary Yellowᴳ with black stripes
"Mexican Stripe" cloth seats color-matched (yellow and black), high back
red, orange and yellow inlayed black decals
Twin Hitachi sidedraft carbs
L16 engine from the 160U-SSS (9.5:1 compression ratio, 71kw, 140nm)
Larger brake rotors and calipers
Revised rear leafs and shock absorbers with anti-tramp properties
13" Alloy wheels designed by Eddie Keizanᴳ of Tiger Wheelᴳ
rear window louvers by Perana Louvres South Africaᴳ

reference: 160Z Road Test (ZA)
Album 11931

In addition to an uprated 160U-SSS engine, the new Z Coupé has alloy wheels, spoilers and rear window louvres.
Post 496406

new models
DATSUN 160Z SPORTS COUPÉ

Datsun-Nissan South Africa has announced a new high-performance sedan — the Datsun 160Z.

Following the success of its Datsun 140Z sports model, the company decided to bring out an even more potent version, with good fuel-ecomony characteristics.

Basically, the 140Z version is upgraded to a 160Z by introducing the 1,600 engine of the 160U-SSS. "This engine — known for its economy, reliability, and rally-style performance — will have the effect of giving sports-car performance and outstanding petrol economy in the light 'Y Series' body," the company states.

To further enhance the 160Z coupé in performance and economy, Datsun-Nissan has fitted two single-barrel side-draught Hitachi carburettors.

The brakes have been developed according to the new 280L Seriesᵂ pattern of increased caliper and disc size, and both rear springs and shock absorbers have been developed to eliminate axle-tramp.

The Datsun 160Z will have all the traditional trimmings — aluminium alloy wheels, specially designed for Datsun by Eddie Kaizan of Tiger Wheels, front and rear spoilers, and rear window louvre.

The 160Z coupé will be available in canary yellow with black striping and will have colour-matched, yellow-and-black, high-backed Mexican-stripe cloth seats.

The 1978 models in the Datsun "Y" series are: 120Y sedan; 120Y bakkie; 120Y panel-van; 140Y station wagon; 140Y SDX; 160Y GX coupé; 160Y Automatic, and 160Z coupé.

National price of the 160Z Coupé had not been announced at time of writing.

CAR July 1978 [page] 19

The striking Mexican-stripe cloth seats of the new model.
Post 496406

[edit]

160Z-ZOOOOOOOM!

circa 1979 2-page pamphlet

DATSUN-NISSAN
Album 28364
DATSUN
GREAT FEATURE MAKE DATSUNS GREAT

SPECIFICATIONS
Album 28365

Album 28366 Album 28367

[edit]

Context

The 1978 160Z paint scheme is same/similar to the 280Z ZZZAP "Special Decor Package" offered in the USA the year before. It was used only on paint code 411ᴳ (Sunburst Yellow) cars.
Post 496383

280-Z ZZZap Editionᴳ
Post 496383

Also in 1978 Nissan-Datsun South Africa released many stripe packages, applicable to all Datsuns. The "Jones Datsun" appears to be a 160Y Coupe with similar colors
Album 11951