1976 Nissan 280ZX

Coupe

Inline 6 Race Prepared with Nitrous

Manual

HLS30302588

Clear

Gasoline

1976 Nissan 280ZX Barn Find / Shop Find Presented for your consideration, the opportunity to acquire an immediately usable, fun vintage sports car. Jack Pemma, famous for his role in the heavy metal band White Eagle, was also locally famous for his Aerotech Racing shop in Buena Park California where he built and tuned his Datsun 240Z and Nissan 280Z cars. This is the final Aerotech Racing 280Z. Still adorned with number 66 and it’s sponsor decals, Jack Pemma’s beloved 280Z was put away by his partner German Centeno after Jack’s untimely death. The car is a time capsule. A true barn find. We have before and after photos that we are happy to share. The paint was carefully polished with authenticity and preservation in mind. As the pictures show, the meticulous cleaning revealed the still beautiful Red White and Blue paint scheme. She’s sporting a fresh tune and fuel system clean out. After 15 odd years of indoor storage, Jack’s Z still shines. True to it’s period, this vintage hotrod is equally appealing to the eye and the seat of the pants. This 280Z was lightened and strengthened for road course duty including the following: Major period correct vintage suspension mods are in placeFull race engineNitrous OxideRoll bar assemblyAft mounted batteryMinimal dash and gauges3 piece SSR GP super lightweight racing wheelsFender flaresLightweight racing seatsPeriod safety harnessesPinned fiberglass hoodLightweight gutted doors remain in placeAll glass in good condition. Door glass present and operableMomo steering wheel4 wheel disc brakes with cross drilled rotorsHeaders4 speed close ratio transElectric radiator fan You tube tour here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=md3sV3gHQ30 Current license plates, tags and title in California. Odometer shows 0400 miles. Vehicle will be sold as TMU, true miles unknown unless actual mileage is substantiated prior to sale. For an alternative narrative of this vehicle, please see the notes provided by our Chief Inspector. Here are his first impressions: We obtained the car from German Centeno, and have changed little, in order to keep the vintage feel of the car true to the era in which it was built. We’ve touched up some paint, and replaced the seats, but the rest is just as Jack would have wanted it to remain. Trans was replaced awhile ago, and seems fine, as well as a good rear end. seems like a tight running and driving car. We are hoping to take it onto the track, just to sort it out a bit. pinned fiberglass hood, lightweight fiberglass fenders and front spoiler. aero headlight covers, ssr super lightweight 17” wheels, rear spoiler, dual racing harnesses, racing seats, push button start, squeeze triggered from gas pedal, high output fuel pump, performance suspension upgrades, roll cage, side skirts, gutted interior, front and rear strut tower braces and on, and on……. bottom line……..if you like z’s………..this is the one to have. it appears to me, that the car was being prepared for an ultimate speed run…….perhaps the Copperstate or the like. the huge NOS bottle was there for squeezing hard and for a long time. Months after the above was written, our inspector had the opportunity to speak with Pat. R. Pat was the manager of Aerotech as well as the actual builder of the car. The 280Z we have is indeed something very, very special. I've had a very pleasant and informative conversation with Pat R. What a nice guy. He has even offered to speak with the buyer to fill in any gaps we miss! I’ll recount the highlights of our conversation for the buyer, but of course, it’s up to the buyer to inspect the car. At this point, this is a story and we don’t have the records to back these claims. I believe the man knows this car and the build and the knew the driver intimately. This is the premier race / street / marketing vehicle from Aerotech Racing. Partially because of the fame and quality of this special car, Aerotech was awarded to contract to build three of the vehicles featured in the original Fast and Furious movie, and this very car was a part of the inspiration for the cars in the movies. This 76 280z was built by chief mechanic Pat for exclusive use of Aerotech owner, Jack Pemma. Jack was also famous for being the leader and lead guitarist for the acclaimed band White Eagle. Jack, like many rock stars, was known as a bit of a wild child.......and drove his fleet of nissans on the limit. Pat knew this, and set out to build the ultimate 280Z. The car not only needed to be lightening fast, but needed to be bulletproof and reliable. As the showcase car for their Aerotech business, the car had to be both driveable on the street, and a winner on the race track. This car is both. Pat recalls this 280Z spending lots of time visiting and being displayed at automotive events throughout the west coast. The car also spent a lot of time on about a dozen racetracks on the west coast, running both road courses and ovals. The car was raced at Riverside Raceway, Willow Springs, Del Mar/ San Diego amongst other tracks. It is also believed that the car ran at Ontario motor speedway. The car won an event at Pomona. Pat says that this very car was clocked at 167mph! Featuring only the best components available at the time of the build, no expenses spared. The car has a fully built L28 race engine, bored forty over, titanium valves. Massaged intake ports, oversized rods, race cam, upgraded injection, balanced with many, many other upgrades needed for the NOS system installed and tied to the accelerator pedal. Huge NOS bottle. We don't presently have the NOS connected, as were worried it would scare the crap out of us. Pat indicated, that even, way back.........at the time of the build, he estimated more than $25k went into the drivetrain alone. Pat also upgraded the rear end, for gearing changes, modified the driveshaft, updated the stuttering and bushings and on, and on, and on. Certainly one of the most wicked Z’s in existence. It is one of the prettiest too. The car still wears its original red white and blue livery and still has some of the battle scars from age and original paint / bodywork. Great patina, which captures the era in which this car was built. The front spoiler was repaired and painted, so that it is consistent with the nice original condition of the rest of the car. Interior is minimalistic. Updated reclineable race seats and dual race harnesses. Bare door trim panels were replaced with lightweight stretch carpet. Jack pemma died suddenly and unexpectedly. Aerotech racing died with him........but leaves this bit of legacy behind. Many in the auto industry, were hit hard with Jack's passing. As a result, this car sat in storage for many years, until it was recommissioned, and restored to running condition. Just like any vintage, high performance / race car that has been sitting......please don't expect to turn the key and go racing. Although the car runs and drives, a thorough review of the car would be strongly suggested before attempting any spirited driving. The car did some drag races before it went into slumber. Pat recalls that Jack also had plans to try his hand at the then blossoming sport of drifting, but didn't get the chance to prepare the car for that type of competition. It is unclear if the car raced at scca sanctioned events, or specifically at club, manufacturer and specialty events, as no race logbook was/is offered. So if you're looking for the ultimate 280Z..........with race history.........with hard rock history........oozing with vintage period craftsmanship and patina.........167mph potential..........both useable on the street and the track...........you may wish to consider this one of a kind car. Not cheap, but near impossible to find or replicate with a unique history. As noted, Pat R., Aerotech manager, builder and partner, will be available to speak with the winning bidder, after the auction ends, if you have further need to check/verify the provenance of this unique piece of Nissan history. Stock gauges are supplied with the car, but not connected. Original paint still retains high gloss and lots of eye appeal. California Car. No rust. Always looking for Muscle cars, Volvo P1800, MGA MG MGB, Metropolitan, Alfa Romeo, Porsche 911, 914 240Z 260Z 280Z, older Cadillac, Camaro, Mustang, Vintage race cars, older Jaguars, British sports cars, kit cars, project cars, 1948-1986 interesting cars. 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