1978 Datsun Z-Series

NO RESERVE Coupe

Fuel injected L28 6-cyl

5 speed manual

HLS30456667

Clear

Gasoline

5 day NO-RESERVE auction ends Monday the 13th of August.Correct and original miles are 20,782. 1 owner since purchased new with 58 miles on the odometer on June 7th, 1978 at HOYT DATSUN in Renton Washington. Ordered with the 5 speed transmission and air-conditioning. I still have the original sales invoice for $9407.69, the dealer trip permit that was issued, warranty book, owners manual, service records documenting repairs and mileage, etc. Other than tires, battery and very few maintenance items, the car is 100% factory original. The drivetrain, exterior/paint and interior are day-one original. Rick Clifton bought this car brand new and it was in his possession until he lost his battle with cancer and passed away in March of 2009. I purchased this car from his wife along with a 1971 Camaro that he also bought new. He never drove the Datsun. Almost all of the miles the car has were put on between 1978 and 1982. By the mid-1980's, Rick purchased a new Ford Pickup that he drove every day for over 20 years. The Z just sat. This car has traveled less than 1000 miles in the last 28 years. In the late 80's he moved to Leander Texas and, of course, took his cars with him. He was an engineer and took excellent care of his vehicles but the minimal exposure the Datsun had to the Texas sun faded the flat exterior surfaces. The Japanese cars of that era were well known as having cheap quality paint. Rick kept the interior protected and it is in MINT condition. He moved back here to the Pacific Northwest in 1996 and had the Datsun and Camaro transported. They both sat undisturbed until I removed them this past Spring from the garage/barn they had been resting in. This is the most unaltered and original Z anyone will find. These cars simply don't exist in this condition. Full written details and comprehensive photo layout below.The body and paint are completely original. No alterations and the car has NEVER been in an accident. With the exception of the faded flat surfaces, a handful of paint chips and a very small crease above the driver side rear marker light (photos provided), the exterior is very nice. Both factory chrome bumpers are MINT. All glass is MINT. Exterior rubber components are also MINT. All soft weather seals and rubber moldings are like new. The Koito headlights are original, never replaced, and working perfectly on high and low beam. The tail light lenses and chrome housings appear as new. In fact, all lenses and emblems are near perfect. These items I just mentioned never lasted! Even the rubber moldings around the windshield, rear glass and side glass are still soft and look like new. This car was NOT left in the sun. The low quality paint that the factory used in the late 1970's simply couldn't handle the minimal sun exposure and it easily faded. I love the car just the way she is and appreciate the honest story her condition tells. There are no surprises and this is not a wolf in sheeps clothing. There are no body fillers or hidden previous repairs. The car's originality is obvious and shows proudly. One of the most authentic examples you'll see. One of a kind is an understatement. The interior is spectacular and does the best job of supporting the low mileage claim. It is 100% original and in absolutely beautiful shape. The original dashboard is like new and crack-free which is unheard of. The seats, door panels, carpet, knobs, levers and switches look near new. With the exception of the clock, everything operates perfectly. All lights, gauges, wipers (including delay function), heat/AC, horn and even the factory Hitachi AM/FM radio all work correctly. Condition is obvious the second you open the door.The factory drivetrain is in tip-top running order. Due to the very long hibernation the car had from the 1980's to 2012, I had everything gone through and serviced. The most recent service record in the file was from 1996 when the car had just over 20,000 miles. That receipt documents the previous hibernation of 15 years and at that time the fuel system was fully cleaned, hoses and filters replaced, clutch and brake master cylinders replaced and rear brakes because of leaking wheel cylinders. In fact, when I had the brakes done, the front disc pads were the originals from 1978! I spent almost $4000 on maintenance and repairs just 3 months ago. Short list: Fuel system and Mass-Air-Flow meter, complete brakes, hydraulics, etc, new water pump, new factory radiator, thermostat, replaced original tires, changed fluids, serviced A/C with the original R-12 freon (cools at 40-42 degrees) and so on. The engine performs beautifully and starts easily every time with crisp and strong throttle response. The 5 speed transmission shifts perfectly and the clutch engages like new. The rear differential is tight and quiet. The brakes stop on a dime and the suspension and steering are sound. The cars drives superbly. There are no current issues. I had all systems checked, serviced and repaired as needed. There are no fluid leaks on my garage floor. I didn't pinch any pennies. Not even a squeak, rattle or vibration. I wanted to be able to enjoy the car. That dream was accomplished and I love driving her. It's like stepping back to 1978 when you're behind the wheel. Trustworthy to any destination. I will make a few brief comments under some of the upcoming photos. All of my eBay experiences have been enjoyable over the years as I've sold members of my collection. I'm grateful for the kind words and compliments I've received. My opinions have guided me well and I stand behind them but please keep in mind that these are my personal opinions and observations and they may differ from your own. I welcome showing my Datsun in person to anyone with genuine interest. I live very near the Portland Oregon Airport and would gladly pick you up. Each photo shows the car clearly and accurately. It is my intention to make this as close to you seeing and touching the car for yourself as possible. Feel free to click on the "ask a question" link here in the auction and I will respond to all polite questions. Phone calls are great too. My number is 503-887-1231 and calls between 8AM and 9PM Pacific time are just fine. My auction runs for 5 days and is scheduled to end on Monday evening, the 13th of August at 8PM Pacific. I reserve the right to end my auction early in the event I accept a genuine offer and the car becomes no longer available. If you are outside of the U.S. or Canada or have a low (0) eBay score- PLEASE, read my terms of sale located near the bottom of this screen. I'm a reasonable and kindhearted person but I will not bend on these basic terms unless previously discussed during the auction. A little communication goes a long way. NO RESERVE AUCTION I did not set a reserve price on my 280Z. All that I ask in return is for your bids to be real and your intent to purchase be sincere. I personally took every picture you're about to see 4 days before this auction started. No photo has been altered or enhanced in any way. This is my car and these pictures are true to her in-person appearance. Thanks for your time, DAVE Even the vinyl they used for the interiors in the Japanese cars of this era was very low-grade and thin. It wore and split very easily. It's like new in this car. Nothing re-done, just a gorgeous original interior. Everything in-place just like the factory intended. Original and total miles traveled since 1978. The odometer has NOT rolled over and NO tampering has ever occurred. . .. And yes, the power antenna works perfectly up and down. Every light means every light. Even the reverse lights! Both headlights are day-one original and factory installed. These are the original wiper arms. All rubber moldings and seals are soft, original and like new. Even all of the rubber glass moldings are like new. All 4 original wheel covers are excellent. Such a pretty car. All of the original rubber components on the bumpers are MINT. As I was driving home the day I took all of these photos I snapped this pic out the Z window of the Columbia River with the Portland Airport in the background. No words needed. The original interior is outstanding. The steering wheel is MINT. NO cracks in original dash. The plastic-chrome was cheap from the factory and didn't age well. It looks like brand new on my Datsun. These are the original pedals. Even the low fuel indicator works. Plays and tunes in radio stations perfectly. Of course the engine compartment light works. The undersides are 100% rock-solid. Although the barn she was in for the last 16 years protected her from the sun and rain, the ground itself occasionally had moisture which caused a little scale on some of the undercarriage components. This would all detail very easily. I simply wanted to leave her just the way I found her including the cobwebs and old spider egg sacks. Factory paint can be found throughout the undersides. The belly of the car is impressive, especially on close inspection. Blue paint from the factory can be seen on the undersides. I did not clean this. It represents 20,000 original miles. Original engine casting numbers. The last Texas registration in order to be taken in for service and then transported back here to Oregon in 1996. This is the original starting instruction tag located in the drivers sun visor. It is perfect and looks like it was put there yesterday. How many Z's still have this? So many things set this car apart from the rest. These seat belt instruction plastic sliders normally broke off within 1 or 2 years. Looks like new on my car. The owners manual and warranty book are crisp and appear to have never been opened. They are like new. Original purchase order. The next owner will receive a clean and clear Texas title. This was an older registration. . Whether you had one of these cars back in the day and are looking for the best one in order to re-live your youth or you're a collector that appreciates untouched original's, this car deserves to be appreciated. They can't be found like this now days. Just an amazing car. Thanks again-_____________________________________________________________Terms of Sale: 34yr old vehicle being sold AS-IS: Please read and agree with the following: I have described my 280Z honestly and to the best of my ability based on 25 years of owning and driving classic cars. I have 100% faith in the drivability of this car and to my knowledge everything is in excellent working order per my written description above. Free and clear Title will be provided. I have recently been driving and enjoying the car without concern but she is 34 years old and routine service and repairs should be expected due to her age and originality. If you are not comfortable with a sight-unseen purchase, please come see the car for yourself or have an independent inspection performed PRIOR to bidding. I will not be responsible for the decisions of others. I would appreciate the winning bidder contacting me immediately upon end of auction just so the lines of communication are opened. My number is 503-887-1231. A $1000.00 deposit is due within 24 hours of auction ending preferably through PayPal just so we are both protected. Wire transfers and verifiable cashier checks are also acceptable. I'm an easy going person so if you need to make special financial arrangements just let me know BEFORE you bid and I'll try to help. I have been with the same bank here in Portland for over 8 years and the Management staff knows me. You are welcome to contact them for your own security if you like. The remaining balance is due within 7 calendar days of auction end in the form of secure funds. Some banks and credit unions do not finance vehicles of this vintage. Make sure if you are financing that your financial institution accepts the year and value of this vehicle before bidding. Please have your method of payment arranged prior to auction ending. TRANSPORT - SHIPPING I am happy to handle everything and be an active and hands-on part of this process from start to finish but the buyer is ultimately responsible for pickup or shipping expenses of this vehicle and any pre-purchase inspections need to be done BEFORE auction ending. If you wish to have it shipped using a service, I will gladly assist in loading and be present for the transport condition form and other reasonable help. Locating a transporter is the buyers responsibility but I can make recommendations and share the relationships I've built. Vehicle transport has become very reasonable. I personally use a privately owned trucking company. They have handled my transport needs perfectly for the last 4 years with careful handling, excellent rates and fast service even all the way to the East Coast. I will provide contact info at your request. Dependable Auto Shippers (D.A.S.) is a transporter that eBay recommends and my experiences with them were just fine. My location zip code is 97214. Coast-to-Coast transport is around $1200.00 and even less the closer you are to Oregon. Shipping to Australia, Europe and other Countries has also become affordable and easy to arrange. If you are outside of the United States or Canada, you MUST contact me BEFORE bidding. If you are an eBay member with negative history or have a (0) or low transaction score, I need to hear from you just to verify your sincerity and accept your bids as genuine. We all started from (0) and I'm happy to give a leg up. I reserve the right to cancel bids for these reasons. Communication is all I ask. I reserve the right to end the auction at any time if the vehicle is no longer available or otherwise SOLD.