What To Do With 75 280Z

[ZzZleeper]

Hey there fellow Z enthusiasts. Just a quick background on my situation. I've been in love with the Z series since i was about 8 years old, when i first saw the commercials for the TTZ32's and i was hooked. When i turned 19, i bought my first Z, it was an 93 NA, a year later i sold it, and picked up my 96 Twin Turbo that i still have today. From that time till now i have had many different Z's. Started with a 78 280Z i bought for 1800. Little did i know the car was garbage. It had sat outside in utah winters for years. The frame rails ended up buckling because they were rusted thru. I sold that one while i still could. Since then i have been on the hunt for a clean rust free S30. I then moved to a wrecked 90 TTZ32. I ended up stripping this car down and swapped a built RB25 into it, and making it into a caged track car. I then got to the point that i really wanted to get into a clean, rust free S30!

 

So flash forward to a few weeks ago. I had just sold my Ducati 999, and had right around 6k to put towards the new Z. I searched high and low for a decent start. I ended up finding a 1975 280Z in Tucson AZ. It has 68k original miles, and 1 owner. It has the 4spd, and has a couple aftermarket stuff on it. It also has Recaros that he had the Factory install in 75 when he bought the car. He say's it is the first 280z that was brought into AZ. The car had been sitting for about 10 or so years, and he decided he wanted to move on to something else. He had told me that the Hall Effect sensor in the distributor was bad, and the gas tank could probably be cleaned out. So i weighed my options, and decided i would bite the bullet and buy this car sight unseen, and have it shipped to SLC. We settled on a price of $4750. and then $525 to have it shipped. So all in all im into it $5275.

 

 

So the car showed up, and looked to be in pretty decent condition for its age. The paint over all isnt too bad, but does have its chips here and there. But no actually body damage, or dents. And NO RUST! So i start with the basics to test the engine out. I put new oil in it, pulled plugs and did a compression test. I unplugged the fuel relay, opened the throttle, and tried to crank it over, and i got nothing. I could hear an audible click come from the passenger side floor area, but the starter did not engage at all. Then i did some research and supplied a 12v feed to the small yellow wire on the top of the starter solenoid and got it to turn over. But it didnt go as quickly as it should have. Now keep in mind this motor hasnt turned over in many years. I put a small amount of oil in the spark hole. all of the cylinders were right around 110ish. Except for one... Cylinder #1 was at 60. and would not go any higher. It was not what i wanted to see.

 

 

Alright, so my question is what should i do with this car? Do you guys believe this car with the low miles, and one owner could increase in value over the next couple years? At least enough in value that i should try and keep everything original as far as the drive train goes? Or do you believe because of the high production numbers of the 280Z, its not going to be as sought after as the earlier models.

     Im at the point of deciding to pull the L28, and have it rebuilt, paint the block and trans make it run and drive nice and keep it stock. Or, if the value wont be there keeping it original, i would like to do an NA RB25DE with ITBs. 

 

My goal is to increase the value of this car as much as possible. Im not looking for performance, that is what the 300ZX is for. I'd just like to have a nice daily driver that will keep growing in value. What would you guys recommend doing?

 

Thanks! sorry its a little long.. here are a few pics

 

 

 

 

[Patcon]

I would keep the original engine in it. The miles appear low and as the earlier cars get more expensive the 280z's will become the alternative and appreciate in value.

[Zed Head]

My goal is to increase the value of this car as much as possible. Im not looking for performance, that is what the 300ZX is for. I'd just like to have a nice daily driver that will keep growing in value. What would you guys recommend doing?

Get it running.  Sell it.  Buy an early 240Z and make it your daily driver.  The 240Z's are much better investments.  280Z's are great fun for a hobby and just driving.

 

On getting it running - take the valve cover off and make sure the valves are closing.  Squirt more oil in the cylinders, you might have surface rust jamming a ring or something.  If you think the cylinder is messed up, it won't hurt much to run it on 5 cylinders.

[siteunseen]

#611 Wine Red Metallic, nice color.

 

[Zed Head]

Another thought - daily driving an investment is scary.  If it's worth a lot, it will probably sit in the garage.  A Z that's not worth a bunch is more fun to drive, I think.  And leave in a parking lot while you shop.  Investments have to be managed to retain value.

 

On the other hand, if you wait long enough, the 75 will probably increase in value.  So time-frame has to be considered.

[Chickenman]

Skyler. That looks like a decent car and you didn't pay too much for it. While first series are worth more to a Collector, the 280Z's are starting to get up there as well.

 

Obviously your car is not original, lack of 5 mph bumpers... but that's no big deal for a DD. You can make a very nice DD out of this for probably not much money. Big thing is that body and chassis is sound. Paint looks not too bad, and a professional polish and detailing can work wonders.

 

Follow what Zed Head suggested about the engine. Some ATF in the low compression cylinder, let it soak a couple of days. Then spin her dry and install new plugs. Throw some Seafoam in the Tank and take it for a long drive. Seafoam the intake as well. See if the compression comes up. If it does keep driver her. If not.. time for a rebuild.

 

After 10 years sitting you probably have a stuck ring or deposits under a valve seat. Re-ring, bearings and a good 3 angle valve job and the engine will probably be good for another 200,000 miles. New valve seals of course and check the Valve guides.

 

Engine and drive-train parts are still plentiful and inexpensive ( for the most part ) . I deal with Rock Auto and MSA for most of my parts. RA is great for engine and drive-train parts. 

 

A good 280Z may be worth less as an investment overall... but you usually don't have to spend as much restoring it either. As a DD... hard to choose between a well sorted 240Z and and a 280Z, IMHO.

Edited August 27, 2015 by Chickenman