Test drive Datsun 280ZX, Ford Capri 2.8i, Porsche 924: universal fighters

Three guests from the 80s, in different ways and a unique spirit of their time.

Porsche The 924 has one problem - no, two. Because the Datsun 280ZX and Ford Capri offer more: more cylinders, more displacement, more equipment and more exclusivity. Is the four-cylinder model with transmission the most sporty character?

The mountain landscape seems to creep coldly into the limbs. Here, next to the Münsten Bridge near Solingen, your horse can literally walk into the river. Germany's tallest railway bridge crosses the 465-meter arch of the Wupper Valley and seems to overlook three of our 80s compartments. For comparison, we brought in a 924 Porsche 1983, a Ford Capri 2.8i of the same age, and a 280 Datsun 1980ZX.

In fact, the oldest one is the construction of the 924, which has also become more expensive recently due to the noise around the 911. Moreover, this is still the same model that in the 90s could be bought anywhere for a penny and no one wanted to. The reason is simple: the 924 is not a 911, which is why it was derisively called the "Porsche for the owners."

Light Truck Engine

Instead of a boxer in the back, it has an inline-four engine hidden under a long front cover. And yes, this bike is practically “third-hand”. Initially, the drives of the two-liter unit Audi 100 and VW LT are right, a lightweight model. Although many hint at this fact, in fact, the people at Porsche have redesigned the bike in a sporty spirit - of course, as much as possible. The new cylinder head and Bosch K-Jetronic injection system produce 125 hp. from a cast iron block. Power is revealed at low revs, there is a desire for higher - but still this is not a racing sports engine.

With the chassis, things are quite different. Although it is built from standard VW Golf and turtle components, it is capable of handling significantly higher power (up to 375 hp in the 924 Carrera GTR) and satisfies every sporting ambition. The magic word here is gearbox. By positioning the transmission in front of the rear axle, a balanced weight distribution of 48:52% is achieved.

This design scheme is not a Porsche discovery. Even in the last century, De Dion-Bouton had buildings on a similar principle. In 1937, Alfa Romeo's Tipo 158 Alfetta engineers used it in the top racing class - and the Alfetta is still considered one of the most successful racing cars ever. The combination of standard equipment from the concern and a sports chassis in the 924 is complemented by an interior that is obviously shaped by the desire to save money. Levers and switches Golf, almost no soundproofing, hard steering - but still the emblem with the Porsche Crest closes the glove compartment lock.

We get into the car from the photos delivered by Monheim-Car, adjust the beautiful sport seats and drive along the roads in the mountains. Here the 924 feels good and shares this with the driver with clear acoustic signals. The engine revs vigorously from 3000 rpm and continues to rev up to 6000 without any unusual occurrence. Just look at the steering wheel – now the steering is responsive and steers the 924 in the perfect direction. In general, this Porsche, the cheapest for its time, can be described as “prosaic”. Such a definition is sure to please its designers, who recommended it as a "long life car" and gave it a seven-year rust-free warranty. In addition, at that time, the 924 had the longest maintenance interval - an oil change every 10 km, a service check every 000 km.

Modern carriage

Completely different in character is the third generation Ford Capri. He constantly wants something from you. His steering wheel needs to be held tight and he needs a strong guiding hand. A leaf-sprung chassis on a rigid rear axle makes it "a carriage with a modern design," as the car's owner and Ford Capri collector Raoul Wolter from Cologne puts it. He probably knows better, but he has been driving Capri for 25 years. The model shown here is used by Voltaire for every day - both in summer and in winter.

"That's what cars are made for." The man is right. The blue/silver color combination is as classic as the typical shape with long front and short back. Even from the factory, this Capri's ride height has been reduced by 25mm, and Bilstein gas shocks take care of course keeping - which aren't as effective in the rear as they are on a MacPherson-type front axle.

This feature can give you moments of fright, especially when you rev ​​the 2,8-liter V6 and go over 4500 rpm. Then the cast-iron engine kicks up power and torque to new, higher levels – and the rear axle suddenly springs to life. The sensitive steering wheel gives the driver every opportunity to turn crosswise or more, the Recaro seats upholstered in Alcantara only in 1982/83 hold him firmly in his hands when making a decision. At such moments, a sense of competition arises in this quality cabin. Especially when the driver of Capri looks at the collection of watches - and remembers the track career of the Cologne model. However, most racing versions have been redesigned with coaxial springs and rear shocks (and a fiberglass leaf spring as an alibi for adjustment).

Many Capri owners have beefed up their cast-iron engine, endowed with a decent material strength - here classic tuning quickly leads to success. The strongest argument in favor of the Capri is the price: under 20 marks is the cheapest price a buyer has received.

Unlike the Cologne sports car, the Datsun 280ZX has never been cheap. Since its debut, it has been worth nearly 30 marks. Its top turbo version with 000 hp, estimated at 200 marks, was the most expensive Japanese car in Germany. Even in the atmospheric versions, buyers got a richly furnished model with 59 + 000 seats and very good dynamic performance. Stainless steel roof elements for the A-pillars, A-pillars, front and rear windows, rain gutters and bumpers show that the Japanese had serious intentions. For an additional fee of 2 marks, the range of applications can be expanded with the targa roof.

In the mass market of the United States, the Z series is quickly becoming the best-selling sports car. However, the brown-beige metal one in our photos was delivered and sold in Germany. It has a range of only 65 kilometers and looks like a one year old car. “The first owner, a young doctor from Berlin, sealed all the cavities of this 000 immediately after purchase,” is how the current owner, Frank Lautenbach, explains the excellent condition of his pet.

It and the Porsche 924 share a similarity to the professional car – the L28E inline-six engine was also built into the SUV. Nissan Patrol. The engine block has genes from Mercedes-Benz - in 1966, Nissan acquired the Prince Motor Company, which produced under license and improved the M 180 engine.

Datsun 280ZX has 148 hp. and 221 Nm of torque. The silky smooth operation of the inline-six sits well on the comfortably adjustable chassis with a light steering movement. With these settings, the Japanese do not live up to the sporty character of the 924, but in general, a harmonious picture is obtained. The Datsun 280ZX is at its best on long journeys - it's true grandiose touring, turning fast but quiet driving into a pleasurable experience. The interior, decorated in a typical Japanese style and even tactilely illustrating the evolution of plastics, faces the driver. From the center console, round instruments look at it, which inform about the temperature and oil pressure, charging voltage and astronomical time.

The backrest can be folded down to make room for luggage, which would be enough for the vacation of two people who are going on a long journey. The generously offered space is the common quality of the three models, which are good for everyday classics. Their flexible motors allow you to ride without frequent shifting, but they can also act differently when the throttle is fully open. Real regular athletes that can still be found at a pretty good price.

Conclusion

Editor Kai Clouder: This trio fills me with enthusiasm. The Porsche 924 plays the role of a durable car built according to the dictates of reason, the Ford Capri, with its dancing rear end, perfectly represents the break with bourgeois restrictions. The Datsun 280ZX surprised me the most. A high-class Japanese athlete with a rich history - and a future.

Text: Kai Cowder

Photo: Sabine Hoffman

technical details

Datsun 280ZX (S130), proizv. 1980	Ford Capri 2.8i, Mfr. 1983 year	Porsche 924, year 1983
Working volume	2734 cc	2772 cc	1984 cc
Power	148 k.s. (109 kW) at 5250 rpm	160 k.s. (118 kW) at 5700 rpm	125 k.s. (92 kW) at 5800 rpm
Maximum torque	221 Nm at 4200 rpm	220 Nm at 4300 rpm	165 Nm at 3500 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	9,2 s.	8,3 with	9,6 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	no data	no data	no data
full speed	220 km / h	210 km / h	204 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	9,8 l / 100 km	11 l / 100 km	9,5 l / 100 km
Base Price	€ 16 (in Germany, comp. 000)	EUR 14 (Capri 000 S in Germany, comp. 3.0) 2	€ 13 (in Germany, comp. 000)

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