Saleofcar.com :Datsun

Datsun Z-Series 280z Fuel Injected 4-speed, straight, dry survivor (1975)
for sale

Price: US $200.00

Description:

Please, bid only if you can afford to pay within 3 days of auction’s end. No zero or low-feedback buyers without contacting me first. You may call me directly at 360-936-9257 with any questions.
Up for sale is a fantastic and affordable first-year 1975 Datsun 280z 4-speed Sport Coupe. These early Z-cars are becoming very collectible, valuable, and hard-to-find in sound, original condition. This is a two-owner vehicle since new, and retains its’ original drivetrain. The car has been used as a local daily-driver for the past 24 years; female owned and used just to go to work and back. It has been garaged almost all its’ life (when not driven) and is mechanically sound, as well as being very straight and almost completely rust-free. Please keep in mind this is a 41-year old classic, and not “like new” in any respect. Enjoy the car essentially as-is with very minor TLC, or give her the full restoration that she deserves. Details as follows:
Body:
Body panels are original, and the car appears very straight in overall appearance. Excellent panel alignment and body gaps; really good. The red paint job was done in the late 90’s, and was of average quality then. As you can see, it still retains a great deal of shine and curb appeal, and the car shows well from 10’-15’. Upon closer examination, the paint flaws become apparent. The original color was a beautiful medium green metallic, as seen in certain areas in the jambs where the red has failed.
The underside of the car is completely rust-free. Floors, frame rails, doglegs, etc. are exceptional. These are the areas that are typically rusted out on these cars. Factory undercoating is still present. The rear hatch hinge area, drip rails, and tail light panel are also rust-free. Great condition. The hatch struts are good and it stays up on its’ own without the need of a prop rod. The hood is straight, and opens and closes smoothly, as do the doors. The glass appears to be original throughout and is in good condition. There is some minor bubbling present under the red paint in the passenger side lower rear quarter area, lower rocker area, and front fender corner. Very minor, and pictured. The driver’s side has the beginnings of the same, but even less pronounced. No break-through anywhere I can see.
The bumpers are of good survivor quality, as is the original grill. The rubber filler panels are present but should be replaced. These are the weakest exterior areas, visually. Door mirrors have been changed, mounted in original positions.
The wheels are aftermarket aluminum modular style, and wear decent radial tires.
Mechanical:
The engine is the original 2.8-liter inline six cylinder, and was rebuilt approximately 30k miles ago. It underwent a full out-of car rebuild, including an overbore, fresh bottom end (bearings, oil pump), new pistons and rings, and a cylinder head rebuild. The fuel injectors were replaced at that time, along with a new water pump and radiator. Fresh tune-up parts finished off the rebuild, and a new clutch was installed at that time. Of course, all new gaskets were installed, including the head gasket. Each cylinder tests just over 130 lbs. compression; this is a very tight and sound engine. The car runs well, with no overt engine noise or noticeable issues. The original 4-speed transmission is in good working order, and shifts properly through the gears. The bushings on the shifter could stand to be replaced (not as tight as new, but this has no bearing on the shifter function). She needs a new rear transmission mount (rubber mount is worn, yoke occasionally contacts floor slightly upon higher RPM downshifts). The plastic plenum that feeds the air mass sensor is cracked (they all are); it has been sealed, but should be replaced at some point in the future for a permanent fix. The car has good brakes, and still drives pretty darn well as-is. The steering and suspension are still decent to good, but with a few minor parts replaced, the car would indeed drive as good as new: new struts and tie rod ends would tighten things up nicely. I am intentionally being overly critical in this performance review; as a practical matter, the car is in sound mechanical condition all around. To perform the suggested repairs and upgrades would essentially update the systems mentioned to close to new condition. The exhaust system seems to be completely original, down to the factory heat shielding. No under-car or underhood exhaust leaks; the exhaust still sounds good.
Interior & Electrical:
The interior is in decent to good survivor condition, and features original seats with usable but not perfect upholstery. Excellent original headliner, good original door panels. Very nice dash and clear detailed gauges, no sun fade, all gauges work. Heater fan works, lights work, wipers work. Turn signals are intermittent; steering wheel has been changed to a Grant GT. Horn does not presently work, but did before steering wheel change... should be an easy fix. The carpet has been replaced; a decent job, but not as nice as new. Needs new sill plates. Power antenna is not currently working, and I have not done a trouble-shoot on it. It is retracted and intact, and may still be operational. Radio is not original. The heater core is currently bypassed and needs to be replaced. Battery is newer and in good condition.
While not a perfect car, this is an excellent early first-year example of the classic Datsun 280z. With the larger-displacement engine and new fuel injection, the performance was virtually identical to the coveted 1970 240z. This is a car you can enjoy as-is with only minor TLC, or do as I would and repaint the car back to the beautiful original medium green metallic, restore the interior, and put some original or period-correct wheels back on it.
I’ve priced the car to sell; this is going to make some Datsun enthusiast very happy. Clear title in hand; matches VIN exactly for export, inspection, etc.
While every effort has been made to describe the vehicle as accurately as possible, it is in fact a 41-year-old classic car, and therefore being sold as-is, without warranty or guarantee expressed, written, or implied.
Please be prepared to make payment in full within 3 days of auction’s end via deposit into my Bank of America account, or bank wire transfer.
Shipping is the full responsibility of the buyer; I own a classic car restoration shop and can recommend a reliable and affordable broker who I have used many times... ultimately the choice must be yours alone.
Feel free to call me directly at 360-936-9257 with any questions you may have.

_{update: 2016-04-18}