'76 280Z ran when it was parked... 10 years ago

[Jeff G 78]

+1 From what I can see, it looks like a nice car.

[hall.nathan89]

It's actually in amazingly good shape. It needs the struts replaced (thus the reason that it's on jackstands), and there's some interior stuff that needs to be done. Other than that, it's RTR (ready to restore :-) )

I noticed as I was taking photos the other day that it shows ~65,000mi, but then I noticed later that there are only 5 digits on the odometer. Is there a way to tell if it's at 65 or 165?

Also, he says he's got a 6 speed transmission for it. I'd never heard of that for a Z. Is there a 6speed that would just replace the T5, or would that be a "Franken-Z" type project?

[Jeff G 78]

Chances are very good that it has 165k, if not 265k. Even sitting 10 years, somebody still drove it for 25+ years.

Any 6 speed install will be a major science project. Stick with the trans you have. If it's stock, it's not a T5. Those only came in the late S130's.

[sblake01]

If it's stock, it's not a 5 speed at all, of any type. They weren't an option until 1977. Maybe he means that he has a 5 speed for it to replace the stock 4 speed?

[hall.nathan89]

That's good to know, and I'll bet that's what it is. Would the 5 speed be an easy mount from the 4? I didn't look too hard, but the engine seemed almost identical to what's in my ZXs

[Jeff G 78]

Yes, a 4 speed to 5 speed swap is easy.

[Zed Head]

Have you sat in it and ran through the gears (while making motor noises)? The shift lever boot looks like a later ZX boot, not an original 76 style. Maybe it has a 5 speed already? 5th is to the right and up, reverse, right and down.

[hall.nathan89]

Have you sat in it and ran through the gears (while making motor noises)?

No, I haven't... I've been tempted too, though! I'll be over there tomorrow so I'll check. Man! That would throw off my "driving chi" having only 4 gears! If there isn't a 5 speed in there, you can bet there will be by the time it runs again...

[az240z]

Nathan why didn't you show me this when I was there Saturday??

Paul

[hall.nathan89]

As for showing it to sell it, I already bought it (Cha-CHING!)

As for showing it off, I guess I just didn't think about it. It's covered in boxes right now. I had to excavate just to get these photos. Are you DZA or Desert Datsuns or both? You can bet I'll be bringing it to some events once I get it running!

It was great to meet you, by the way!

[az240z]

I'm both, you sell the 77 yet???

[hall.nathan89]

Not yet, I'm showing it to a few more people in the next few days. I'm still seeing interest, but I'll let you know when we start looking at other offers.

I wan't to start going to some events in the area, it's just so far away right now... But I'll get out there one day