BAT: 1976 Datsun 280Z BRE Tribute

[Mike]

This 1976 Datsun 280z has undergone an extensive three year rotisserie restoration by its owner of 11 years to transform the car into an officially licensed BRE tribute, drawing styling inspiration from the racing team’s “guest car.” Noted designer and BRE owner Pete Brock provided assistance during the seller’s restoration, lending guidance on the livery design and designing the number 30 applied to car. Power is provided by by a fuel injected inline-six, stroked to 3.1L with a P-90 head from a later ZX turbo and crank from a Maxima diesel engine. A fully programmable Racetech fuel injection system is installed with crank triggered timing and a rebuilt 5-speed from a later ZX replaces the original and is fitted with a 3.9 final drive ratio. Suspension and brakes consist of Tokico and Wilwood components and are mated to a set of 16″ Panasport wheels. A detailed gallery documenting the build can be viewed on the seller’s Photobucket gallery and the car is sold with a clean South Carolina title in the seller’s name.

Painted in the same colors used on the BRE racing team Zs, the finish remains in nice condition, exhibiting good shine when viewed from multiple angles. Driven approximately 14k miles since the restoration, the finish contains a few nicks and chips commensurate with use.

Painted fiberglass bumpers have been fitted to the car and are accompanied by a BRE Spook spoiler up front and a BRE decklid spoiler at the rear. Apart from a new windshield, the car retains its original glass, which was installed with new weather-stripping and seals.

The rear fenders were rolled to accommodate the 16″x 7″ Panasport wheels that remain in good condition with no noticeable imperfections on the spokes or polished lip. 225/60 Hankook RS3 tires are fitted and have about 50% tread remaining.

The car was completely disassembled, soda-blasted, put on a rotisserie, primed, painted, and clear coated. While at the shop the roll-bars were welded in, custom seat mounts added, battery tray relocated, the old battery tray was modified to support the 3-coil pack for the fuel injection, custom bracket for a throttle cable, the rear spoiler was mounted along with a front air dam from original “BRE spook” molds.

The interior presents well with new door cards, headliner, dashcap and carpets. Gauges have received a white vinyl overlay with orange needles and an air/fuel ratio digital gauge replaces the analog clock. The A/C features several new components that and along with the other gauges, controls and electric accessories, remains fully functional. Though the new padded headliner shows well, it does exhibit some sagging. Additional work performed on the interior includes:

• Larger higher flow Honda cage fan installed in the factory blower motor housing
• All new HVAC ducting
• New heater core
• Refurbished center console
• Brighter backlight bulbs
• New window cranks

At the start of the restoration, mileage on the odometer was shown as 71k and presently reads 85,694 miles.

A pair of Corbeau adjustable sport seats are installed and are accompanied by a set of 5-point Corbeau harnesses with cam locks. A Wilwood brake proportioning valve is fitted in place of the emergency brake lever that was removed during the Wilwood brake installation.

The Odyssey gel battery has been relocated to the passenger-side tool box from its stock location. Rear compartment and spare tire well remain clean with no signs of corrosion. The seller notes the rubber weatherstripping between the hatch hinges has difficulty remaining fitted to the body.

Power is provided by by a fuel injected inline-six, stroked to 3.1L with a ported P-90 head from a later ZX turbo, balanced 240z rods, ceramic coated pistons, and a crank from a Maxima diesel engine. A fully programmable Racetech fuel injection system is installed with crank triggered timing and accompanied by a LCD control unit hidden in the glove box. A rebuilt 5-speed from a later ZX replaces the original and is fitted with a 3.9 final drive ratio. Additional specifications of the build include:

• Competition Cams ground camshaft
• Lightweight flywheel
• Centerforce clutch
• 280ZX turbo oil pump
• Electronic crank angle sensor (distributor delete)
• 3-coil pack mounted in the stock battery location
• 3-row aluminum radiator with custom made aluminum catch can and drain.
• 3 electric cooling fans controlled by the ECU
• Knock sensor
• MSD wires
• Powder coated Arizona Z Car racing oil pan with baffles and cooling fins
• Custom built aluminum intake manifold and fuel rail.

The suspension was completely redone at the time of the restoration with new billet aluminum front control arms, TC rods, quick steering knuckles installed along with bump steer spacers and rear A-arms with heim joints. Brakes employ a Wilwood Competition kit front and rear with 4-piston calipers, 12.2″ curved vane vented rotors, and stainless braided hoses.

Lift shots exhibit minor wear on the rockers from driving and a clean and tidy underside that has remained well-preserved following the restoration.

The underside of the inspection lids contain the autographs of both Pete Brock and John Morton, with the latter driving a few laps in the car at the Nashville Superspeedway road course in 2011.

The car is sold with all service records since the seller’s ownership, including extensive restoration notes and imagery as well as the original window sticker and bill of sale. The original owner’s manual, tool bag, spare tire, original key, and user manuals for the fuel injection system are also included.

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