New owner

[TopaZ]

I bought it from a woman who said she bought it new and it was black.  She is sending me a photo of the car back then.  She had an accident in the 80s that apparently caused them to replace the radiator so I cannot find the color code.  She does remember something about it being a "special edition".  I have read conflicting opinions about whether ALL black 280z's from 1978 are considered Black Pearl Editions.  How can I tell?  

[Zed Head]

 Never mind, I'm wrong.  I think that "Black Pearl" is an urban legend, isn't it?  Or some sort of ad copy that got blown up in to a thing.

 

Edited May 27, 2020 by Zed Head

[Zed Head]

This site says that "Black Pearl" is paint, stripes, an extra mirror, and a louver.  So, look for holes or witness marks where the mirror and louver was installed.

https://classiccars.com/listings/view/910782/1978-datsun-280z-"black-pearl"-for-sale-in-beverly-massachusetts-01915

Here's a picture that seems to show the bottom brackets for the louver.

Edited May 27, 2020 by Zed Head

[jitenshakun]

"Special Editions" can be a way to boost mid-production year sales numbers with a change that can easily be introduced on the assembly line.  As such, the tech information can be a little thin from time to time.

[siteunseen]

1 hour ago, Zed Head said:

 Never mind, I'm wrong.  I think that "Black Pearl" is an urban legend, isn't it?  Or some sort of ad copy that got blown up in to a thing.

 

It's like the yellow Zap, right? Is that a dealer edition or they came from Japan with the extras?

 

[SteveJ]

An earlier conversation here on black pearl: 

 

[Zed Head]

If you can find an area of paint that has metallic black then it was a Black Pearl, apparently.  Probably what we used to call "metal flake".  Check the back of the gas filler door.  

 

Edited May 27, 2020 by Zed Head

[Carl Beck]

The Black Pearl Metallic Paint was a $90.00 option on the 78 280Z. The Sports or Special Appearance Package was a second additional $199.00 option. 

See: http://zhome.com/History/BlackP.htm

[TopaZ]

Thanks all for input.  The way I read things it appears to me that all factory black 1978 280z's would be considered "Black Pearl".  The SAP would have been an optional addition.  I cannot find any other black paint code used in 1978 (some painted with Black Pearl metallic paint (638) and some with just regular black paint).   thoughts?

I will look closely for any hints in areas not touched since production.  At the end of the day I want to paint it with the original color.  Is 638 black available to purchase? are the pinstripes available for purchase?

thanks

[Zed Head]

At the end of all of the discussion I don't think that anyone is going to pay more for a "Black Pearl".  The car salesmen will use anything to promote a car.  You might even find Jon Voight's pencil in the glove box.

[siteunseen]

"Dr Jon Voight" according to Heisenberg. 

[TopaZ]

LOL.  Jon Voight. loved that episode.