Vehicle Description
This beautiful 1978 Datsun 280Z Black Pearl Edition represents the
best of the 2-seat Z-cars that totally transformed the automotive
landscape in the 1970s. As the latest models prove, the Z will
always have a place in our garages and in our hearts, and this
early 280Z is a fantastic way to enjoy the ride.
Looking at the shape, it's clear that there's a little bit of
E-Type Jag in there, maybe a hint of Corvette, and plenty of MG,
too. Fast, light, agile, and affordable, even today, this Z is a
delight. It's also the recipient of a fairly comprehensive
restoration, with nice paint and trim that gave the 35-year-old
sports car a brand new look. Limited edition cars like the Black
Pearl were often put away as sunny-day drivers, and as a result,
this one shows none of the bumps and bruises of the daily grind and
it certainly appears that it lived most of its life someplace warm
and dry. Chrome was going out of fashion in 1978, but there are
still a few bright pieces, including both bumpers and the stainless
around the windows, all of which remains in very good shape. Even
things like the rubber bumper overriders are supple and undamaged
by UV rays, suggesting that this car has led a very sheltered
existence. The Black Pearl also received special red and silver
graphics that were faithfully replaced when the car was repainted a
few years ago. Give it a quick cut and buff and this car will look
like a million bucks!
One of the Z-car's biggest successes is the interior, which is both
sporting and functional. The black bucket seats were designed by
guys who knew the car would be used to its potential, so they have
thicker bolsters than most, and the pleated upholstery looks quite
racy. Of course, all of this remains in great condition, showing
only very minor signs of use since the restoration. The dash is
full of easy-to-read instruments, each housed in its own pod,
including a row of auxiliary gauges in the center, a look that is
still evident today in the latest Nissan GT-R. These cars were
top-of-the-line machines by 1978, and this one comes with factory
A/C, an automatic transmission, and an updated Sony AM/FM/CD
stereo. There's a positively massive trunk area under the rear
hatch, and the carpets show almost no wear or fading, surely thanks
to the window slats out back.
The L28E 2.8 liter inline-six is a fantastic motor. Torquey, yet
eager to rev, it was enlarged to better suit American driving
tastes, as well as to make the automatic transmission a reality. It
still has that same baritone wail that epitomizes big-horsepower
inline-sixes, and because it's a Nissan, it's also reliable and
smooth. The engine bay is as clean as the rest of the car, and that
tangle of hoses is how the factory did it, but don't worry, it has
all been regularly serviced and is in excellent running condition
with lots of new parts. It's quite clean underneath, showing proper
care and maintenance and the rear half of the exhaust system is
fairly recent. Heck, you can still see all the markings on the
suspension components that shows they were properly torqued! The
automatic transmission shifts as it should, and the handsome
4-spoke alloy wheels wear 195/70/14 blackwall radials.
Today, as when it was new, this 280Z is a lot of performance for
the money. It's also rare, with estimates suggesting fewer than
1500 Black Pearl versions were built. Call today!
