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This is a '77 Nissan 280Z, marketed as a Datsun in the United States. Designed by Yoshihiko Matsuo, the 280Z was the final generation of the first generation Nissan Z car, the S30. Powered by a 2.8L L28E inline-6, the 280Z was introduced mainly for the North American market in an attempt to keep the S30 models sporting in the face of increasingly stringent emissions regulations. Replacing the 260Z, the American-spec 280Zs were also fitted with the federally mandated 5 mph bumpers, but were restyled for 1977. For 1977 the 280Zs also received a new "space saver" spare tire as opposed to a full-sized spare, as well as a larger fuel tank. The cars had 4- or 5-speed manuals or a 3-speed automatic. Production ended in 1978, when the car was replaced by the 280ZX. 56,072 were produced for 1977.
Now this casting was designed by Larry Wood and introduced in 1977 as one of the very last Redline Hot Wheels; for the next year, all castings gained blackwall tires and the redline tread was removed, this casting included. This casting has always been referred to as the Z-Whiz, a play on words referring to the car it is based on and an exclamation ("gee whiz"). This casting has seen thirteen known releases, the last being in 1984. This casting was also used in the Speed Machines lineup in 1983; this is not related to that other series with the same name. Maybe I will showcase that one at a later date.
A curiosity: this casting is actually pretty significant in Hot Wheels history; this was the very first Japanese car ever manufactured by Hot Wheels.
