Bought a '78 280Z today!

[nkgreen]

Hello from Huntsville, AL!

I bought a black 1978 280Z today so I figured I'd go ahead and register here.

It's going to need a good bit of work, starting the with the key I broke off in the drivers door as soon as I got home. It idles a bit rough and running a little rich, and the interior needs some work too. The only things I found that aren't original are the CD player (not hooked up or doesn't work) and the battery. Not a dent on it, but the paint has a few bubbles in places. A/C blows, but no cold air. Hopefully it just needs some freon.

It has 59K original miles and apparently was garaged by the owner for about 20 years after his son died.

Overall, I'm very pleased and hopefully this will be a good project and a good learning experience. Better than wasting all my money at the pub.

[MikeW]

Welcome to the club. Post some pictures if you can.

At first I did a double take when you mentioned it had a CD player but had been garaged for 20 years. I then sadly realized that I bought my first home CD player almost 25 years ago.

[nkgreen]

Well, it also went through an auction and another guy bought it, then turned right around and sold it. He may have attempted to install one, I really didn't get a chance to look at the CD player closely. I'll probably end up putting a stereo from Retrosound in after I take care of some other things first.

Assuming there's enough light when I get home, I'll take some pics. My mom wanted to see some too.

[conedodger]

Not taking anything away from the Z but you need to go to better pubs!!

[nkgreen]

Here's some pics. Maybe this will link right.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/album.php?albumid=342

[olzed]

That looks pretty darn good. Not too much to do, by the looks a nice one.

[conedodger]

Huh... Looks to be a genuine Black Pearl. Not sure about those mirrors though. Nice.

[nkgreen]

That looks pretty darn good. Not too much to do, by the looks a nice one.

drivers mirror is about to fall off

a bit of surface rust on bumpers and tail light housing (?)

idles a bit rough and runs rich

plugged tire

passenger door panel is ripped and scuffed

a few things in the instrument panel don't work

need to get keys (broke one off in the door, but got it out)

a few carpet issues in the passenger floorboard

paint needs a little love

probably need to get some door gaskets

need to get a license plate

no cold air

exhaust fumes in the cabin

Definitely a lot of work, especially since I have no experience. But that's what a project car is for. Probably will be slow progress with school and work, but my old man was a mechanic in the late 70s/early 80s, so he'll be able to lend me a hand.

Overall, I think I got a fair deal at $4423.13 including taxes.

Edited July 14, 2010 by nkgreen

[nkgreen]

Huh... Looks to be a genuine Black Pearl. Not sure about those mirrors though. Nice.

I thought that, but the hood is a bit different from other pics I've seen.

[d240zx2]

Whether it's a Black Pearl or a look-alike, I'd think you got a great car for the $$. Just do your research here and ask questions BEFORE you go spending a lot of time and treasure.

[Shade133]

very inportant question!!!!

does the clock work?

and I WANT THAT CENTER CONSOLE

[sblake01]

very inportant question!!!!

does the clock work?

and I WANT THAT CENTER CONSOLE

Are you talking about the cup holder part? That's an MSA Console Arm Rest/Cup Holder that fits over the stock console.

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/CARWCH/50-2571