For Sale: 1978 Datsun 280Z in Glendale, California

The Nissan S30 (sold in Japan as the Nissan Fairlady Z and in other markets as the Datsun 240Z, then later as the 260Z and 280Z) is the first generation of Z GT 3-door two-seat coupes, produced by Nissan Motors, Ltd. of Japan from 1969 to 1978. One of the most successful sports car lines ever produced, the trend-setting S30 was designed by a team led by Yoshihiko Matsuo, the head of Nissan's Sports Car Styling Studio, with the bodywork styled by Albrecht Goertz, the designer of the BMW 507.

Seeking to compete head-to-head with established European sports cars, Datsun priced the new 240Z within $200 of the British MGB-GT in the United States, a five-year-old design that showed its age. The 240Z's sleek styling, modern engineering, relatively low price, and impressive performance struck a major chord with the public. Positive response from both buyers and the motoring press was immediate, and dealers soon had long waiting lists for the "Z".

280Z

Nissan released the Datsun 280Z model for the North American market in the 1975 model year. In a further effort to keep the S30 models sporting in the face of increasingly stringent U.S. emission and safety requirements, engine size was again increased, this time to 2.8 liters. The L26 engine was bored out 3 mm (0.12 in) to create the L28, and a Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system was added. Canadian versions were uniquely equipped without the anti-smog components mandatory in the States. The model code is HS30, the same as for the original 240Z.

The 1975 and 1976 models continued to be fitted with the U.S. federally-required 5 mph (8.0 km/h) impact absorbing bumpers that were introduced for the mid-1974 model year of the 260Z. These bumpers were smooth surfaced, and blended into smooth black rubber extensions as they met the body of the car. The 1977 and 1978 models received bumpers with recessed channels added that blended into corrugated- or accordion-style black rubber extension trim. Also new for the 1977 model year, 280Zs no longer received the full-size spare tire, and instead had a "space saver" spare and a larger fuel tank. This resulted in a raised rear deck area made of fiberboard, reducing cargo space. In late 1976 and for most 1977-78 models, an optional five-speed manual transmission was available alongside the four-speed manual and the three-speed automatic options. It included a "5-speed" emblem on the left bottom edge of the rear hatch. For 1977 there was also an update from the charcoal painted hubcap style (with a chrome Z floating in the amber center emblems) to a hubcap that resembled an alloy wheel, bearing a center cap with a chrome Z floating in a black circle.

Both the two-seat and 2+2 coupe 280Z remained available throughout the 1975-1978 model year run. The S30 series was replaced in 1979 by the Nissan S130.

1978 DATSUN 280Z

93,069 ORIGINAL MILES
2.8L INLINE 6 CYL ENGINE
5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
REPLACED ITEMS: O RINGS, FUEL PUMP, FUEL INJECTORS, FUEL INJECTORS RETAINERS, FUEL INJECTOR HOLDER KIT, HOSE CLAMPS, FUEL INJECTOR WIRING REPAIR KIT, SPARK PLUGS, BATTERY, STARTER
A/C
WELL MAINTAINED, GARAGE KEPT
RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT

HERE IS YOUR CHANCE TO OWN THIS GREAT CLASSIC!