Saleofcar.com :Datsun

Datsun Z-Series 280z (1978)
for sale

Price: US $6,000.00

Description:

Fun to drive . . . lots of compliments everywhere you go!
2-dr. coupe
Chassis no. HLS30 (production date 10/77)
Inline 6-cylinder, L28 (2753cc)
Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection
170hp (and it only weighs 3000lbs.)
59, XXX miles
1978 was the last year Datsun/Nissan made the Z-car in the classic 2-dr. coupe body. It also marked a return to the performance levels of the 240z as they had finally solved the loss of power issues stemming from increased federal emissions regulations so it was once again the sports car Mr. K intended it to be.
I have enjoyed this car for 10 years. I purchased it from a friend (in Portland, OR) who owned it for several years prior to that. I have his records and my own but not much else farther back than that. It has a clean Oregon title and the body is clean and straight and looks very nice! Very reliable, starts right up, engine idles and runs smoothly. The car handles nicely and loves to run. The car is very agile and quick and is fun to drive at any speed. It is a very reliable driver, although I don't drive it very often at all (well less than 1, 000 miles a year in the last several years). I keep this car covered in our attached garage most of the time and drive it only on special occasions and only in nice weather.
Local viewing opportunity:
I have entered the car in the Newberg Old Fashioned Festival Car Show which runs from 8am-3pm this Sunday, July 26. If you are in the area and would like to take a look at the car (as well as some other classics too) then feel free to stop by!
Condition:
The car is in very good overall condition. The paint looks nice as can be seen in the photos, with only a few small blemishes (see photos). The car is rust free as far as I can tell and the frame seems solid to me and I have never had reason to suspect otherwise. Electronics (including headlights - both high and low beams, turn signals, hazard switch, gauges and their lights, windshield wipers, defogger, power antenna, map light, dome light, CD player AND tape player) all work. There are a few small holes in the exhaust pipe as it enters the rear muffler - if I were going to keep it I would redo the exhaust, maybe with a nice dual exhaust (search online for 'the z store' for nice options). The brakes are solid, with only the occasional squeak, I re-did them several years ago. I had considered looking into an upgrade package (improved calipers, slotted/drilled rotors, etc.) but never got around to it. The transmission shifts smoothly (clutch master & slave cylinders recently replaced) but at times it requires you to put it in 1st gear before it will go into reverse, but never any trouble in forward gears. As you will note in the photos there is a dash mat cover on the front dash board as well as seat covers over the seats. Both of these items were on the car when I purchased it and I have never felt the need to remove them. I believe there are some cracks in the seats but they are still comfortable and supportive and they have protective covers until someone is motivated to do some reupholstering. In lifting the dash cover there are some cracks in the dash board itself but the cover looks nice enough for me so I have always left it on. The glass appears to be original (at least it has the Nissan logo on it) and I have included a photo from the left side as an example. Lots of work done (see incomplete list below).
Work done:
(I prefer to do my car work myself, all of the work below was done by me, with exception of items marked with *)
Suspension --
• Tokico HP 'blue' gas shocks
• Urethane bump stops
• Motorsport Auto (MSA -- see 'the z store') springs -- lowered by 1.5-2 (results in a much improved look, and performance)
• MSA front (1) & rear (3/4) anti-sway bars with new links & urethane bushings (made a huge difference in the corners)
Steering -- (these combined upgrades resulted in a much better feel for the road through the steering wheel)
• MSA steering rack bushings
• MSA urethane performance steering coupler
• MSA tension rod T/C kit
Clutch --
• Master & slave cylinders*
• Stainless steel clutch hose (brake hoses stainless also)
Ignition/timing/charging --
• New ignition switch* (very hard to find)
• Distributor cap & rotor, spark plug wires, adjusted timing, spark plugs
• Alternator
• Rebuilt starter installed
• Les Schwab XHD battery (June 2012)
Drivetrain --
• Differential mount
• Rear differential fluid
• Transmission fluid
• Transmission filler bolt
Cooling --
• Most under-hood coolant hoses replaced, including all hard-to-reach ones on injector rail
Fuel --
• All rubber fuel lines under hood replaced, including on injector rail
Lighting
• Autopal multi-surface reflector H-4 headlights
• New combination switch*
• Turn signal flashers (left & right)
Interior
• Weather stripping around left and right doors
• New MSA 'Z' carpets
NEW Parts included (not yet installed):
• Steering -- left & right tie rod ends, left & right ball joints
• Fuel -- PCV valve• I also have a complete urethane bushing kit which will come with the car (some of these bushings have already been installed, some I have not got to yet). Each time I install more I can feel an improvement over the stock rubber ones.
Also included:
(see photos)• High quality CoverCraft cover - exact fit, water repellant, etc. I keep this on the car when it is in the garage (all the time).• Keys with leather 'Z' key fob (white Z on blue background)• Manuals (1978 factory service manual, Chilton Z repair manual, 1975 280z owner's manual)
Payment:
Once the auction is complete, we can discuss method of payment. I would prefer to be paid via cashier's check (or wire transfer). I have sold cars this way before and I assure you I have no interest in cheating anyone out of their hard-earned money. I will not leave you hanging - prior to you sending the check/transferring funds I will provide my name, address, phone number, etc. to further reassure you. Once funds are received I will send the title overnight to you for your piece of mind, etc. If you have any questions about payment or anything else, please don't hesitate to contact me!
Shipping, logistics, etc.
I would prefer a local sale but since I am listing it on eBay, I am open to sending the car to a good home wherever that may be. However, if in the course of things there arises a competitive, local, cash offer - I do reserve the right to end the auction early. Regarding transport, I have not done research on who ships vehicles or the cost but I know there are companies that do so. I will leave the arrangement of these services to you. I sympathize that this is an added expense, but neither of us wants the car to arrive in 'less-than' condition, so I submit the money is well-spent. Naturally, this is an expense that is between the buyer and the shipping outfit and is not included in the purchase price. For estimation purposes, I live in Newberg, Oregon 97132. Once the auction is concluded, I will keep the car covered, secure, in my garage, just as I have for the last 10 years. You can then arrange a time for the transport company to come load the car and I will supervise it's loading onto a truck as it heads off to it's new home.
Further information, communication, etc.
This is a great car and it has taken me a long time to come around to selling. I have tried to be as honest as possible in this listing. But if you find you have questions for me, feel free to send me a message and then we can see if a simple answer will do or if you would like to talk at length on the telephone. Either way, I want you to be completely comfortable with your bid/purchase, so let me know if I can answer any questions, etc.!

_{update: 2015-07-26}