How many Datsun 280Z are left in New Zealand?
Super rare 1 in 259,715 on the road Built 1975-1983 Japanese import
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
Two cars wore this name. In North America the 280Z of 1975 to 1978 was the last of the original Z shape, with a fuel-injected 2.8-litre straight-six. In Japan, Fairlady 280Z meant the 2.8-litre version of the next generation, launched in 1978 and sold elsewhere as the 280ZX.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 1978: 5 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1975 | 2 |
| 1976 | 3 |
| 1977 | 3 |
| 1978 | 5 |
| 1979 | 2 |
| 1981 | 2 |
| 1983 | 1 |
What Super rare means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 18 still registered, the Datsun 280Z is Super rare: the grade for cars with 5 to 24 left.
By how many are left it ranks 14th of the 27 Datsun models and equal 1,723rd of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.