GREAT SURVIVOR W/ ONLY 1 OWNER & 92K ORIG MILES, RECENT MAJOR TUNEUP, DOCUMENTED

1980 Datsun Z-Series Description

This 1980 Datsun 280ZX has just one owner and only 92,422 original miles, making it one of those great survivors that remind us what cars were like back then. Period colors, no modifications, and lots of documentation mean this is a fun, affordable collectable that probably has some upside in the coming years. There's no question that's original code 603 Maroon Mist paint on the sleek surfaces of this 280ZX, and it still looks great. In today's collector car world, the very best survivors aren't cars that were simply stashed away and forgotten, but rather cars just like this that have always had caring owners that kept them in top condition without being afraid to use them once in a while. As a result, it still looks great but may show a few bumps and bruises that come with age and use, and there's no sin in that. But overall, this car looks pretty darned good, defying the passage of time. The paint has that soft gloss that was typical of Japanese cars of the period and the fit of the bodywork is typically high quality with good shut lines and excellent fit. Even the black rubber bumpers haven't been baked into a chalky gray mess by the sun. No, there's no question this car has always been someone's favorite.The matching red cloth has a bit of 1980s styling to it, but man, you can't argue with how well-preserved it is! The high-back buckets make it a legitimate 2-seater, and the grippy cloth upholstery is a good idea in a car that encourages spirited driving. There are a lot of gauges, including the Z's traditional trio of auxiliary dials in the center of the dash, and they're all working as intended with typical Japanese precision. As Datsun's top-of-the-line model, just about everything was included and this car offers features like A/C (still blows cold!), cruise control, and power windows and locks, making it a fine grand tourer even today. The radio is an AM/FM/CD head unit that sounds better than the original, and it's just about the only part inside that isn't OEM. Everything else is very nicely preserved, including the trunk area which includes handy tie-downs for your luggage.By 1980, the Z's engine had fuel injection for its 2.8 liters, making it turbine smooth and impressively torquey. It looks like there's a lot going on under the hood, but the SOHC inline-six is easy to spot and makes a wonderful baritone wail that's a big part of the early Z-car's allure. Again, thanks to the low mileage, this engine bay is in outstanding condition with factory equipment throughout. That means no questionable repairs or home-made remedies, just OEM engineering and finishes to make it look and run its best. A professional detail would make it show-ready, and even as it sits it runs and drives beautifully thanks to a full tune-up 300 miles ago. The 3-speed automatic transmission is a willing partner and perhaps a better match for the grand touring mission for which the 280ZX was built, and the all-independent suspension remains agile when you need it and comfortable when you don't. There are also 4-wheel disc brakes and attractive factory alloys with 195/70/14 white-letter radials all around.These are really fun cars and while their day will surely come, take advantage of this opportunity to get an incredible survivor at a bargain price. Call today!