THE Z200 SERIES 1969-1977
The Žnoprešk Z1156 debouted in 1956 so in 1965 ‒ after the company had finished to develop its presence in different segments of the european car market ‒ started to develop the successor of their aging best seller of the time. The car was a mix of comproved technologies, like longitudinal front wheel drive, front double wishbone and rear solid axle, and new solutions, like radial tyres*, dual eco carburator intake and automatic 3 speed gearbox*.
The project had to change name after the new namecode started with the bigger Z300, so the smaller car was the Z200.
Economy in purchase and running, simplicity, ease of driving were the main gola of the car, followed by comfort and practicallity.
Close to the end of the 60’s a lot of car manufactorer started to follow the hatchback design, but becasue the different naming, the managment didn’t felt too corageous to move too far away from the Z1156 golden goose. So, a 3 classic box body was chosen for the car.
The engine was a new SOHC dual valve, inline 4 with 1.3 and 1.5 liter of displacement with eco carburator and doppiocorpo orizzontale when the sporty requirements were mandatory. The initial range of motors had powers from 58 to 90 horsepower.
The trim available were Prima, Linea, Sala, Sport and Turismo. Here featured only Prima, Linea and Sport.
Z213 Prima (MY1969)
Easiest on the wallet, the Z213 Prima was the entry level. To cut some of the costs, part of the interior of the Z1156, like the dashboard and the rear bench, were still used. The tyres fitted were crossply, and there was no radio available as standard. Thanks to the front wheel drive, the big rear boot was appreciated for the huge space and flexibility of use.
Z215 Sala (MY1969)
The Sala was the premium trim of the Z200. Leather inserts with wood and chrome details and almost no exposed painted metal in the cabin. The car had a 3 speed automatic gearbox, radial tyres, hydraulic power steering and a AM/FM radio. Some customers asked also for an optional cruise control.
Z215 Sport (MY1969)
The peppiest version of the Z200 was this trim. The car didn’t had the premium feel of the Sala, but the engine tuning and the sporty carburators helped to archieve an unexpected sensation of speed and agility, at least for a humble Znopresk.
It cames with sport radial tyres and white painted rims, but no hydraulic steering assistance nor radio. The aftermarket market and specialized shops usually retrofitted some of the optional on the Sala on the sport trim to archieve a Turismo trim like driving pleasure.
Despite the good market results, the car design aged fast. So Žnoprešk hurry for restyling…