I have a 1978 Datsun 280Z for sale. This vehicle has a solid body, floors, and all parts for completion. Seats will need recovering, and will need some miscellaneous. This has been sitting in our garage, and the body work has been completed, and primed. ready for blocking.

I have all parts in boxes, the full exhaust, hood, rear hatch, fenders, 5-spd trans, and all components. This is all 100% number matching.  Attached are some pictures. 

Asking $7000.00 for everything. 

Has the engine had work done or is it just cleaned up?

And you can't really "match numbers" on a 78.  Nissan didn't put the engine serial number on the tag.  

How many miles on the body and the engine?

Wishing you luck but that'll be a tough sale.  Not being able to hear it run or drive will scare off most folks.

I'm guessing $3,000 for paint too. 

We bought this car a while back from a gentleman who restored these cars. We purchased it with intentions of putting it back to it's original stock condition. The engine is stamped with N42 82088, and was told it was original to the car, I believe it is. I don't think any work has been done on the engine, it seems 100% stock. It was very clean when it came out of car, but it looks like the guy we bought it from probably painted block, and a few other engine parts. The car has 115,443 miles on it, and speedometer matches the title mileage, which shows as actual. We had on like this in the past, which had a small block Chevy Corvette motor.  The motor is very clean, and ran excellent, before the person we bought it from took the car apart. I personally have not heard the engine run, but as clean as it is inside, and it does turn over fine with use of breaker bar, and socket. The trans is all there as well. Some interior parts will need attention. Dash pad cover, and seat will need recovering, but frame, foam all in good shape. The floors, door, hood, trunk, fenders are all solid. I really wanted to do this one right, and even has some original paperwork.  
The vin plate he had removed when doing some of the work, which I have, and it does match the Id number on body. I have boxes of stuff that goes with it, including the original radiator,plus a brand new aluminum radiator he had purchase.  The fender extensions, lights, brackets are all there, including the original jack, spare and other things.

I agree, 7k is too much for the car in pieces. I’m no expert but I have be closely watching the market for these cars for about 18 months. Too many unknowns for a buyer to shell out 7k.


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Nobody is doubting the veracity of your ad.  (Always wanted to use "veracity" in a sentence).  But a person can probably find a complete, assembled, 1978 280Z of similar or better quality for a similar price.

You're basically selling a jigsaw puzzle to people who want a finished painting, or one that only needs touching up.

If I was in your shoes I'd assemble as much of it as possible.  Get the engine and transmission back in, interior, body parts, etc.  Make it look like a car.  The new buyer would know that they need to recheck all of your assembly work but at least they'll see a finished car.  Good luck.

Thanks for the replies, I will take your advice into consideration. If you think 7k is too much, what would you list it at?

Remember, this is a solid, all metal body, the engine does run, which a simple inspection of bottom end, compression check, timing assembly, cam and valve train can be done, complete interior, but seats need new covers, and dash pad has some cracking. all glass, trim, exhaust manifold, complete exhaust, all lights, and trim. What price do you think would be appropriate?

How long has it been sitting in primer? Do you know what kind of primmer was used? 

I agree with ZHon this.  The car will be worth more put back together,  That’s a lot of work so it brings value to the car to a potential buyer.  I think in pieces you’re really cutting into your value.  I think as is 3k-4K is all you’re going to get and that’s if you find the right buyer.  I’d buy a put together car over yours if I were looking,  I quick scan online and you can get a feel for the market value.  Here’s one I just pulled up.   

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/d/1978-datsun-280z-black-pearl/6766436998.html

$5500 for a nice Black Pearl CA car.  Why pay $7 for a car in pieces that needs several thousand just in paint. 

The work on body was done about 6 months ago, and the primer is basically a fill and sand type primer for blocking purposes for straightness. Of course it would need to be sealed, once blocking was completed. Work was done by a local body shop in Naples, Fl. Left in primer, due to wanting to set engine & trans in car, check panel alignment, and go through a rough engine accessory connection, and wiring hook up, to get everything marked, and photoed.

Engine and trans would then be removed, and sent back for sealer, and painting of engine bay, jambs,  and underside. Smaller parts for the re-assembly would be refinished in our shop during this time.

 

Well I love puzzels and Z puzzles are my favorite. Where are you located? Transo could be tricky.

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The title says its from Florida.

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