1978 Datsun Z-Series

2+2 Hatchback

2.8 Liter

Manual

GHLS30-120890

Clear

Gasoline

This is a fairly unusual car. A 3 owner documented 1978 280Z 2+2 with less than 80K miles on the odometer and an ownership trail that goes a long way to prove it. The Z in finished in color code 240 Racing Green Metallic over a Saddle interior. The car has been well maintained and refreshed with a mindset to keep it as close to stock as was practical. The original wheels and hubcaps have been recently replaced, the exhaust has been updated with a custom bent modern system from behind the original manifold, and the valve cover is polished, but otherwise this Z remains pretty much in stock form. The radio, steering wheel, and shift knob remain unmodified, and against the current trend, late style bumpers are in place and in VERY good condition as well. Even the headlights are stock Nissan Koito Halogens retrofitted from an S130. The car has been painted once a couple years ago, and was done to a nice driver level. The interior is exceptionally well preserved with only the light wear you would expect from a newer vehicle. The dash has no cracks, but does have a couple imperfections that present almost as subtle bubbles near the main gauges and has aged MUCH better than most. Everything works including the clock with the exception of the Air Conditioning, which seems to be intact, but hasn't been charged during my ownership. The radiator and many of the tune up parts are new within the last year. The car runs well, doesn't drink much fuel, and is a joy to drive. The valves have been adjusted, but still make some noise. It had been a long time since the previous adjustment, as the car sat for MANY years prior to my ownership, so it was suggested to do another adjustment after a few hundred miles. A new OEM valve cover gasket, a couple of OEM oil filters and a set of shifter bushings (the originals are sloppy) will be included with the car. The headliner is currently out of the car, but the original will be included, as well as a new Motorsport replacement... installers choice. Also included is a full title history for the Z, a pair of original keys, and a bunch of documentation going all the way back to the original purchase from Bob Sharp Datsun in 1978. The standard Z question. Rust? This car was undercoated by the dealer when it was new as shown on the sales invoice, and has survived MUCH better than the average Z. There was a bit of low rust cut out and repaired prior to paint. The floor pans are original and are very solid overall. There were a couple small problem areas where the undercoat had been compromised that have been treated and had new undercoat applied. The frame rails have had a new protective coat applied as well. The lower inside edge of the driver's doors should have been cleaned up at paint time and was missed. It's hidden unless you open the door and sit on the ground, and could easily be scuffed down and rattle canned. There are a few small bubbles low on the right rear quarter and right dogleg that it seems like they painted over without fixing, or just didn't fix properly. They're VERY easy to ignore, and don't seem to be getting any worse, but I have no secrets. Take a good look at all the pictures to get a clear idea of not only how well preserved this Z is overall, but the flaws as well. Nothing is hidden or retouched, and the pictures are current. The area under the battery and the hatch floor appear original and with no issue. I highly recommend serious parties meet the car prior to bidding, or have a third party do so for you, but if you've been looking at Z-Cars from this era, this one has many fewer apologies than most. In short, the car runs down the road suitably, and gets compliments wherever she goes. The Business Bits: Bid to Own. Message with ANY questions. I will answer promptly and to the best of my knowledge. I've sold several cars on eBay, and never had an unhappy buyer. I'm certainly not looking for one now, and will do my part to avoid that. That said... 40 year old J-Tin car = please have realistic expectations. The car is a probably conservatively an 8 for body, a 9 for interior and mechanical, and a 9.5 for unusual level of originality. Sunday drive and local car show ready, but not a $40k concourse example, and always a work in progress, just like me. As Is, Where Is. $500 non-refundable PayPal deposit within 24 hours. Balance due within 7 days in the form of cash, bank wire transfer, or cashier's check from a bank with local branches in Raleigh, and a slight delay. After the car is paid for, it can stay here for up to a month (garaged and not driven) to suit your pick up schedule, or that of your transport service. I can pick you up from the Raleigh Airport (RDU), or the Selma or Raleigh Amtrak or bus stations. Mileage listed is accurate at this moment, and will increase slightly during the run of the auction (200 miles or less). P.S.: The reserve is lower than the buy it now, and either may be lowered a little for the right buyerOn May-16-17 at 12:12:57 PDT, seller added the following information: A couple people have messaged for more detail on the history of the car, so I figured I would share the Cliff's Notes version for all to see: The Z was bought new by Mark and Kathleen L. in July of '78 from Bob Sharp Datsun in Connecticut. Judging from the folder of receipts they drove the car until 1986 by which time it was in Tennessee, and they were told it needed a clutch. They parked it for "someday". They later transported it to Missouri, but over the next 29 years it never again saw the light of day until a second owner rescued it in October of 2015 ~ hence the low and believable miles. In the fall of 2015 and spring of 2016 Kevin M. had the clutch master and slave cylinders replaced (the actual problem) and spent roughly $3000 on mechanical services (clutch hydraulics, brake work, air mass meter, etc.) and $7500 on paint. He basically took care of the broad strokes, so to speak. The cosmetic details were lacking however, and because of a failing exhaust and a questionable distributor, the car ran only marginally well. Last summer I sold a '71 240z that I had owned for years, and searched for months literally nation wide for a 2+2 S30 with A/C and a 5-speed. What I discovered is that nice and essentially stock 2+2s are basically extinct. I had all but given up when I found this one in Missouri. The next day I was headed west, and I spent the next few months working on the details of the car. I updated the wheels and tires, replaced the radiator, headlights, some of the emblems, tune up stuff, hatch carpet, floor mats, exhaust, distributor, and valve cover along with MANY little details. I'm sure there's always more that could be done, but at this point the car is fun to drive, reliable, and always puts a smile on my face when I drive it. I had really planned to keep the car forever, but now I find myself in a situation where I have roughly a balance of debt and toys, and I'm more interested in taking the debt off my family's plate (4 kids) than I am in having the toys. So... the time has come to thin the herd.