1977 Datsun 280Z

A few short years ago, the Datsun 'Z' cars were certainly among the best bargain hobby cars in the hobby.  They were, and probably still are, firmly on Mt. Rushmore of Japanese imports.  They might not be seen as quite the same sure-fire investment cars as their 240 predecessors — mostly because more of them were built and more of them survive —  but if you have one and ever get tired of owning it, you'll have no trouble finding an interested buyer to take it off your hands.

For consignment, a 1977 version of the 280Z.  It's been the capable hands of our consignor for the past 20 years.  It's a survivor folks, looking sharp in orange, (Red), holding its clean lines, sports the accordion edged chromed crash bumpers, and shows with the long pony car hood and hatchback styling bringing up the rear.  Oh and lest I forget, this example hasn't succumbed to the tinworm that has brought many of this era Z-cars to their knees.

Exterior
Invasive rust free steel is put together with nicely minded gaps with no surface rust rearing its head on the lower body panels.  The orange, (Red), paint is all good with only a few minor faults seen about its surfaces.  Overall the chrome and trimmings as well as most of the panels are looking terrific, and nice and shiny.  Badging is all good and correct from 1977, and the glass is clean and clear.  The NTSB federally mandated safety bumpers are on, with the front being a flat faced stainless style with black rubber bumperettes and accordian style black rubber wrap around sides.  Leading the way are deeply inset headlights which flank the slightly bulged hood complete with functional heat extraction louvers.  A stainless and black rubber side molding runs just below the beltline between the front and rear wheels and up top we have a nice defogger rear glass in the hatchback.  Inset taillights reside within a satin black rear panel and just below is another crash bumper with more accordion black rubber and bumperettes.  Grounding all of this are 14-inch Z badged wheel covers wrapped in 175/70R14 black wall rubber from the 21st week of 1994

Interior
A swing of the door and leap inside to an inviting and in very good condition interior.  Here we reveal 2 black vinyl covered bucket seats, all original.  These have smooth bolsters and textured tuck and roll inserts.  Comfortably seated, one can reach out to the original steering wheel, gearshift and rest your arm on the center console, and gaze upon the clean original dash.  The dash being a black molded plastic shows no cracks or errors.  It features deep inset circular sweep gauges in some lighter charcoal gray panels.  The carpeting covering the floor is black and has a few areas of minor soiling and a tear near the underside of the driver's seat with no carpeting under the seat.  The deeply sunken gauges are like new, and odometer shows 116,032 miles which is documented as original miles.  The headliner is very nice, and rear hatchback cargo area carpeting is very clean and has a nice thick pile.  Also noted on the convenience side are heat and AC and an aftermarket AM/FM/Cassette radio.  Finishing out our tour are black door panels, presenting very well with diagonally stitched inserts and a thin appliqué strip highlighted by thin strips of chrome edging. 

Drivetrain
Flipping the long, long hood forward reveals an original and clean engine bay which presents as well maintained.  Shoehorned into this space is the L28E inline 2.8 liter 6-cylinder engine with Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection.  Our consignor notes that this engine was regasketed, and cylinder head was redone.  This setup produces 170hp and bolted on back is a 4-speed manual transmission with well maintained clutch hydraulics that not only provides great acceleration in lower gears, but great gas mileage when working with the 3.54 rear axle.

Undercarriage
Shades of a 100 plus thousand mile car show here with just a little light surface rust, and lots of patina black metal surfaces which are sound and coated with patined coating of rustproofing, as well as a slightly surface rusted frame, good mechanicals, and overall aged but good condition.  All independent suspension, and power disc brakes for the front and power drums for the rear and the green flag is waving somewhere.  So git on it!

Drive Ability
This sports car started easily, and it was off to the test track where it had nice acceleration, rail-like handling, and bias free panic stopping.  The interior is very comfortable and surprisingly roomy and our only frowns to note was the clock not keeping time and the oil gauge reading low pressure.  Otherwise a wonderful drive with functional air conditioning.

A nicely preserved Datsun from the day, sexy lines that were all the rage in the time it was so popular.  This car is a good runner, great handler and is a blast to drive.  Bonsai!!

HLS30353582

H-L28E Engine
L-LHD
S30-Model Number
353582-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.