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

Overview

160Z¹²⁰⁰

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.

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Early 160Z rear with black spoiler

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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)

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

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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.

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160Z-ZOOOOOOOM!

circa 1979 2-page pamphlet

DATSUN-NISSAN

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DATSUN

GREAT FEATURE MAKE DATSUNS GREAT

SPECIFICATIONS

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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.

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280-Z ZZZap Editionᴳ

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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

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