Hi- had several Zs prior, but just took the dive again. Been lurking a while on this site, now I have work to do! Just bought this Z which I found in NC while on a business trip. It was so clean I just had to buy it. I know how hard it is to find a Z that is not rusted up, this one is 98% rust free, floors, rails, spare tire well, all are just as it left the factory in 1975. There are a few very small spots in the usual places behind a couple of wheels, thats it. Here's the particulars:

110K originals miles

Painted once, orig color

Perfect interior, no cracks in dash, everything works, even the clock!

Seat recovered in correct pattern.

Original carpet & spare

Panasport wheels

Tokico struts and springs

Energy Bushings all around

Axes and U joints rebuilt

Toyota front calipers

Larger MAF

Headers & MSA 2.5" exhaust

New raditor

All hoses replaced

Came with a folder 2 inches thick with all reciepts since new, plus the original window sticker!

Right now Im just cleaning up a few items. Plan is to fix the bubbles, strip all exterior parts and put a nice paint job on it. Also like to swap out for a 5 speed at some point. I could just drive as is, but the car is such a time machine that it deserves a 100 percent body and paint job. I am really enjoying working on Datsuns again. I have several german cars but they are so expensive to tinker with.

Anyways, this board has been a huge help, hope to contribute at some point.

Cheers!

Looks like a very nice 280Z that has been well cared for. Great find East of the Mississippi and someone has put a lot of additional work/money into it already. Great color as well.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it for years to come.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Welcome, looks like a great find! I would suggest driving her around for a bit before tearing into a rebuild. That way when you are looking at a large pile of parts, or the car is still in paint jail, you'll have the memory of how great the ride is to motivate you to keep going! You also get the benefit of a "shakedown period" to identify if there is anything else that needs to be tackled when you start the refresh.

Edited February 4, 200916 yr by DougN

could not agree more... time on the road is what you need! Let that straight six sing!

I drove it 6 hours back from NC, 70-90 all the way. With the 4 speed the passing response is instant. Ran like a top. I want to get the new paint on for spring. Only thing that bugs me are the bumpers- ruins an otherwise classic shape. I have looked into changing to 240 bumpers however I dont want to mod the rear end (fill holes, etc) because the car is so nice. Replacement rubber parts for the bumpers are really expensive (about $1800 for all 6 parts, F & R. So no easy options there.

From the Carolina's ......welcome. Good luck with your restoration on the 280Z. What part of NC did you find her?

Keep sending pictures.

Cary. Love your car, BTW.

Only thing that bugs me are the bumpers- ruins an otherwise classic shape.

Please, don't! As you say, you don't want to do anything permanent to change a nice car. For me, as I was a previous owner of a '76 280Z, the bumpers have never been that obtrusive to me. In addition, I think they've "aged" well - they aren't really all the bad.

Car is nice as is IMHO

Great find!

How do you like the louvers? Am looking at getting some for my Z to cover the scratchs/gouges in my original clear hatch window. Are they secured under the window seal?

Probably going to keep the huge bumpers, the car is just too darn nice to start modding it- I should have bought a rust bucket ! I need to get the rear rechromed, and the rubber parts are a little cracked.

The rear window louvers are cool, IMO. They stick to the glass w 2 sided tape, actually. There is a little tiny key lock for raising to clean the glass. You can find them on ebay occassionally.

I should have bought a rust bucket !

Or maybe a 240Z

-Mike

Ive had 2 240s in the past. I like the 280 for the FI & better console/dash layout. Both are great cars, and to each his own. As far as rust goes, they all rust just fabulously!:eek: My sons and I have got this one up on jack stands this weekend and have started taking parts off, amazing condition, must have been garaged most of the time, as even the bumper and exterior trim bolts and screws have very little rust or corrosion on them. Looking forward to getting a proper paint job on her.