Chassis Differences
This article illustrates the differences between the different chassis' the Z32 was available in. See also: Production.
Contents
2-Seater (Hard Top)
The Hard-Top (or slicktop) was the base model Z32. As common with many imports, Nissan USA primarily imported the "high-end" models (ie, with t-tops). While not as popular during its day, when t-tops took precedence, the slicktop is fairly sought-after today, as it is considered rare in addition to being slightly lighter and stiffer than the t-top chassis. As it was the base model, it was only available with a manual transmission. In the US, the slicktop was only available as an NA, but it was also available as a TT in Japan.
Height
- 1990-1992: 49.2 in (1250mm)
- 1993-1995: 48.4 in (1229mm)
- 1996-1998: 48.3 in (1227mm)
Length
- 169.5 in (4305mm)
Width
- 70.5 in (1790mm)
Wheelbase
- 96.5 in (2450mm)
Weight
- 3130 lbs (1420 kg) (NA, Manual Transmission)
- 3284 lbs (1490 kg) (TT, Manual Transmission)
Other Notes
Despite having no t-tops, the slicktop's hatch area does include t-top straps.
2-Seater (T-Top Roof)
The 2-seater with t-tops was practically identical to the slicktop, other than its roof. In the US, this was the only chassis on which a Twin Turbo model was sold.
Height
- 1990-1992: 49.4 in (1255mm)
- 1993-1998: 48.4 in (1229mm)
Length
- 169.5 in (4305mm)
Width
- 70.5 in (1790mm)
Wheelbase
- 96.5 in (2450mm)
Weight
- 3174 lbs (1440 kg) (NA, Manual Transmission)
- 3240 lbs (1470 kg) (NA, Automatic Transmission)
- 3328 lbs (1510 kg) (TT, Manual Transmission)
- 3395 lbs (1540 kg) (TT, Automatic Transmission)
2 by 2 (T-Top Roof)
The 2 by 2 (otherwise known as the 2+2, 4-seater, or limo!) featured rear seats. As the rear seats were small and somewhat cumbersome to enter, they're considered "occasional" seats, hence the 2+2 moniker rather than simply being called a 4-seater. In the US, the 2by2 was only sold as an NA. However, in Japan, 2+2 TTs are more common than 2-seater TTs.
Height
- 1990-1992: 49.4 in (1255mm)
- 1993-1998: 48.1 in (1222mm)
Length
- 178 in (4520mm)
Width
- 70.9 in (1800mm)
Wheelbase
- 101.2 in (2570mm)
Weight
- 3284 lbs (1490 kg) (NA, Manual Transmission)
- 3373 lbs (1530 kg) (NA, Automatic Transmission)
- 3428 lbs (1555 kg) (TT, Manual Transmission)
- 3494 lbs (1585 kg) (TT, Automatic Transmission)
Other Notes
The chassis is practically identical to the 2-seater up until the doors. The door skins (outsides) are longer on the 2-by-2, but the interior door panel is the same. The rest of the body is different from the B-pillar back. The gas door is also mounted behind the driver's side rear wheel well, as opposed to in front (on the 2-seater). One notable difference is that the 2+2 was only available as a T-Top.
2-Seater (Convertible)
Introduced in 1993 after Straman conversions became popular, the convertible featured (you guessed it) a soft-top convertible roof. Unlike the Straman, the factory convertible only featured mild chassis reinforcements. The rockers are thicker on the convertible (meaning most floor mats won't fit), the doors had "spikes" in the pillars where they met the chassis to help them behave as a structural brace, and the transmission tunnel brace was longer. Other than that, the chassis is largely identical to a coupe chassis. Plus, these changes were implemented across the board in the 1999 model in Japan. It was not available as a Turbo model in any market; it was only available as a non-turbo 2-seater.
Height
- 1993-1995: 49.5 in (1257mm)
- 1996-1998: 48.7 in (1237mm)
Length
- 169.5 in (4305mm)
Width
- 70.5 in (1790mm)
Wheelbase
- 96.5 in (2450mm)
Weight
- 3432 lbs (1557 kg) (NA, Unknown transmission)
Other Notes
- Convertibles include an anti-theft switch under the center bezel that trips the alarm should the center bezel be removed while the alarm is armed.
- The convertible windshield is no longer available from Nissan. One from any other Z will fit, but the convertible windshield features an integrated antenna for the radio. Many owners report that their radio continues to function fine without it.
- Convertible clocks had green displays, rather than white.
- All convertibles had manual climate control units, which were identical to their 1990 counterparts, except they had a dead plate in place of the rear wiper switch.
