1976 Datsun 280Z 

The Datsun 240Z had changed the sports car game overnight on its arrival in 1970, offering a remarkable combination of handling, refinement and head-turning good looks at a price that was within reach of the average enthusiast. From the beginning, it made life difficult for its competitors, routinely finishing first in the inevitable comparison tests. Road & Track pitted a 240Z against a Fiat 124 Sport Coupe, an MG MGB/GT, an Opel GT and a Triumph GT6, and concluded that the Datsun was "not only the best car in the group, but the best buy." It was a massive hit in the U.S., its most important market, thanks to Yutaka Katayama's deep understanding of American desires.

For consignment, a passion project for our consigner's father whom had got the car in the late 1980's and stripped it down to the frame for a full restoration.  The result is a stunner both in performance and looks thanks to starting with a rust free car that remains that way today.  For performance,all I'll say is it's a Japanese rocket ship and then some, for looks it shines like a 10 carat emerald.  And it has the retro look that took over America in the early and mid 1970's, and to this day is still a great looker and a real cooker.

Exterior
Island Turquoise Fusion is the paint and it was applied several years ago and still holds its own.  Just a few stress cracks, but it holds its shine and has no rust.  Black neoprene has taken over the bumpers but it adds a nice contrast to the car's Island Turquoise.  Deep inset headlights reside on either corner and these flank a long hood as it rolls back to the front glass.  All of the glass is tinted and has black surrounding trimmings.  The rockers are also trimmed in black and also remain rust free.  Door gaps and body panels are nice and straight and well minded.   A gracefully sloping rear hatchback has a big black rear spoiler which looks just great on the side view.  The rear roll pan is vertical with the essential Datsun tail lighting setup which reminded the same throughout all the iterations.  Another black bumper below and a large 3-inch exhaust pipe peeks out from the drivers side rear. 16-inch multi bolted polished Etoile wheels have 225/50Zr16 rubber around them.  Boogitty Boogitty Boogitty Baby.  A full restoration has made this car avoid the dreaded “tinworm” which was very common with these 70's Japanese cars.

Interior
As I throw the sleek doors open I see black canted vertical tuck and roll panels in vinyl covering the insides of the doors.  A thin but effective arm rest is on as well as a window crank.  The actuator to open the door is surprisingly down in the low center.  Slipping inside, I sit in high back buckets with their sleek styling just like the doors.  These are in black vinyl and are all smooth with the inserts and bolsters.  There is a sleek center console running through these buckets and it cozies to the dash where it rises with a few panels canting some buttons and toggles, a Pioneer aftermarket AM/FM/CD player, AC & heat sliders, air vents  and on top a horizontal courtesy light.  Just above in the actual dash top are nicely molded inset of a trio of round gauges for boost, temp/oil, and volts and fuel.  In front of the driver are two large round deep inset sweep gauges.  Mounted on top of the extendable Michelin man-esque steering column is a fuel pressure gauge and a rally steering wheel which appears factory.  The back of the car is pure storage with some torn and worn black carpeting and no back seat.  Carpeting upfront is slightly faded but mostly in good condition. The headliner is in good flat, not torn condition. 

Drivetrain
As we open the long hood at first glance you would assume the 280Z I-6 cylinder 2.8 liter engine with EFi.  Well you would be correct, however upon closer inspection yell notice its turbocharged has MSD high voltage ignition along with high flow fuel injectors and a performance camshaft.  It has an aftermarket aluminum head and a F5SR30A 5-speed manual transmission which is courtesy a truck for taking on the heavy duty pounding that turbo would put to it.  On the back is a 3.54 geared rear axle.

Undercarriage
Rust free with some light patina and a heavy black rust proofing coating from the restoration job.  Independent Macpherson strut suspension is all around and power Wilwood disc brakes grace the corners, which you will definitely need to bring you down from the high speed.  A glasspack style exhaust is noted underneath as well.

Drive-Ability
After a bit of a warmup I was off in a flash on the test track where this is like a bolt of lightning.  It accelerated endlessly and wanted to relieve those back tires of their traction from the pavement.  It handles nicely and has fab brakes which are courtesy of Wilwood  as previously stated.  The consigner states the car may have up to 600 HP and after my test drive I believe it,  The tachometer does not register RPM's and the turn signals do not work.  All else is just great including the icy cold AC. 

A rebuild with power in mind, holding lots of upgrades and a turbo to make it go even faster.  The car still looks original and great on the outside and inside, and there is absolutely no fooling around on the point A to point B exercise with it.  As stated in my notes for my partner in crime and crack decoder, “The Car Goes Like Hell”  Need I say more?

HLS30282593

H-L28E Engine
L-LHD
S30-Model Number
282593-Sequential Unit Number

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.  This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.