Vehicle Description
1977 Datsun 280Z
Although the old guard won't enjoy hearing it, Japanese cars are
becoming collectable. We're already seeing spikes in prices of cars
like the Datsun 2000 roadster, the Toyota 2000GT, and the early
Mazda Cosmo, so there's no sense in fighting it. The Datsun/Nissan
Z-car now has a history that's nearly as old as some of our beloved
American iron such as the Camaro, Firebird, and Dodge Challenger.
And for a generation that grew up in the 70s, the Nissan 280Z was
something we eagerly read about in the pages of our favorite car
magazines. The American iron muscle had plenty of power which is
indisputable, but Datsun, soon to be Nissan, with their Z series,
had decent power for their size, but had a one up on the
Americans..handling! This was nowhere more evident in the class
ranks of the SCCA, where the Z's were in the same class as the
ponies. Down the straight it was the Americans, however they were
quickly caught in the curves and out handled which made for
interesting racing on all configurations of tracks.
For consignment, a 1977 version of the 280Z. Parked in late 1991
and the drivetrain pulled for unknown reasons, but rescued in 2021
and given a solid going over with new engine gaskets and rings, the
brakes serviced, the clutch hydraulics serviced and now ready to
serve you. It's a survivor folks, looking sharp in blue, holding
its clean lines, accordion edged chromed crash bumpers, long pony
car hood and hatchback styling bringing up the rear. Oh and lest I
forget, this example hasn't succumbed to the tinwormthat has
brought many of this era Z-cars to their knees.
Exterior
Invasive rust free steel is put together with nicely minded gaps
with only some surface rust rearing its head on the lower body
panels. A few dings are present along with fading of the Blue
Metallic paint on the horizontal surfaces, but it's a survivor!
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 glass is 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 both a rear defogger and wiper for
the sloping hatch. 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 195/70R14 blackwall
rubber.
Interior
A swing of the door to leap inside to an inviting and in very good
condition interior, reveals 2 ivory colored vinyl covered bucket
seats all original. Comfortably seated, one can reach out to the
original steering wheel, gearshift and gaze upon the clean original
dash. The dash being a black molded plastic shows no cracks or
errors. Carpeting covering the floor is black and has a few areas
of minor soiling. The deeply sunken gauges are like new, and
odometer shows 74,987 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 AM/FM radio. Finishing out
our tour are ivory door panels, presenting very well with
diagonally stitched inserts and a thin applique strip highlighted
by blingy chrome.
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 6-cylinder engine with Bosch L-Jetronic
fuel injection. Our consignor notes that this engine was
regasketed, had new piston rings installed, and new fuel injectors
were put in to keep things tip top reliable. This setup produces
149hp and bolted on back is a 5-speed manual transmission with new
clutch hydraulics that not only provides great acceleration in
lower gears, but great gas mileage in overdrive when working with
the 3.54 rear axle.
Undercarriage
Shades of a 70,000 mile car show here with little to no surface
rust, and lots of patina black metal surfaces which are sound and
coated with patined coating of rustproofing, as well as a solid
frame, good mechanicals, and overall very clean condition. All
independent suspension, and power disc brakes for the front and
power drums for the rear and the green flag is waving
somewhere.
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 frown to note was the clock not keeping time.
Otherwise a wonderful drive with functional air conditioning.
Presenting as a low mile, invasive rust free, turnkey car, this
highly original example shows with the original drivetrain and
luxurious, (for a sports car), interior. A Japanese pony car which
gave all others here in the USA a run for their money, now classic
and becoming collectable, right here in our Hallowed Halls of
Classic Auto Mall!
HLS30372942
H-L28E Engine
L-LHD
S30-Model Number
372942-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.
