1976 DATSUN 280Z light restomod 280Z--

Description for Datsun Z-Series 1976

I bought this car about 1 year ago. it was described as being rust free. Dont let anyone fool you about these unrestored Z cars being rust free. Either they don't know what they are talking about or trying to hide something. I knew what to look for having had 2 1971 240z's prior to this.The car was originally gold and had VERY minimal rust but I still had to have the frame rails replaced and one 2in hole in the floor patch welded. The metal work pricing is outrageous on these old cars, no one wants to do the work. It took me 5 weeks to just find a fabricator who was bold enough to take on this minimal rust job. I had bought the thick gauge frame rails from Baddog and took them to my fabricator. It took him (as a side job) 6 weeks to complete. The job that he did was well worth the wait, I've seen other fabricators do jobs that looked like a 3rd grader had completed. After getting the car back, I completely tore down the car. The only parts that were not taken out were the steering rack/column and rear diff.
List of light mods:Front and rear "park bench" bumpers/shocks removed. Saved about 200lbs.1973 240Z front bumper.Rear valence holes filled.5 speed trans out of a 1982 ZX great for hwy cruising. Close ratio, has the single exhaust tang(most desired)16X8 rota wheels with 205 tires (no rub)Power windowsPower locksRT diff mountKenwood Elite head unit with blutoothBlue LED dash light bulbs ( wanted to match the blue stitching in the seats and steering wheel)Front kick panel speaker mounts(no holes in the door panelsCeramic window tint (full front windshield in clear) UV and heat blocking. Lifetime national warranty. $650.00Full A/C unit under hood and behind the dash, R134A.Paint changed to Obsidian Black (Lexus base coat / clear coat)Magnaflow catalytic converterScuff plates deleted, datsun sticker with clear protective film over them.Front air damWiring harness in the engine bay was all loomed, that really cleaned it up.
Everything works including the rebuilt clock.The engine has been well serviced by the previous owner so I did not go into the engine. These engines were balanced at the factory so when people rebuild them they usually won't run as good.New weather stripping all around.Paint was a lexus/Toyota color Obsidian black. Yes, I know that black was not used until 1978 (Black Pearl) but I just thought the car looks great in black.Odometer reset to 0 miles when resto was finished and I currently have 3400 problem free miles on it. It's not a garage queen but it has not and will not go out in the rain!You can rent a car to come get it and drive this Z back home to anywhere in the country and not have to worry about breaking down, it's ready!
I've had 2 1971 240Z's before and no matter how well they are tuned, you will always get out of the car after a drive and smell like gas and exhaust (Ode de sports car). I wanted to NOT smell like that so I went for fuel injection. Well, even with the fuel injection, i still smelled like exhaust. I bought a Magnaflow catalytic converter for it. They claim no power loss and they were correct. Now, my wife will get in the car with me and go places... no smell. People who think that they want these old cars are usually in for a surprise when they drive them because of the unleaded gas and bad exhaust/ gasoline smell. Yes, the valve seats were changed by the previous owner.
If you don't like my 8 ball shift knob, I can put the original back on.
All underside rail pics were taken at the metal shop. The whole underside was AUE100 frame paint coated and is uniform throughout.
The car stays garaged and has not and will not see rain. I drove the car home when I bought it from 7hrs away. I drove at 80mph / 4000 RPM (old 4 speed trans) for the whole 7hrs. I did this to see if the engine was going to hold up and it did. I didn't go into the engine because the previous owner did meticulous maintenence on it for years. Every nut screw and bolt that came off of this car was wire wheeled and painted before reinstalling. I have a ton of money AND time in this beauty and am wanting to do it again except next time with some different mods. This is a numbers matching car excluding the transmission. I get stopped all of the time by people who had one before and younger ones wanting to know what it is. I see phones hanging out their car windows for pics going down the road constantly. It is truely a head turner.
Cons:The dash was not cracked until 1 day after I put it back in then 2 cracks showed up.The rear vinyl is torn just a little on the backs of the rear shock towers.About one drop of oil comes from either the rear of oil pan gasket or rear main seal after a good long drive. No other leaks.Flashers don't work
Questions call or text 850-485-1209
Will work with shipper to make it as smooth as possible.