Find or Sell Used Cars, Trucks, and SUVs in USA

1978 Datsun 280z Sun Yellow/black **77,500 Original Miles** on 2040-cars

US $8,800.00
Year:1978 Mileage:77350 Color: Yellow /
 Black
Location:

Encinitas, California, United States

Encinitas, California, United States
Advertising:
Transmission:Manual
Body Type:Coupe
Vehicle Title:Clear
Engine:2.8L, I-6 (L28)
Fuel Type:Gasoline
For Sale By:Private Seller
VIN: GHLS30110599 Year: 1978
Make: DATSUN
Model: Z-Series
Trim: 2+2
Options: CD Player
Power Options: Air Conditioning
Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Mileage: 77,350
Exterior Color: Yellow
Disability Equipped: No
Interior Color: Black
Number of Doors: 2
Number of Cylinders: 6
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

 This is it. The classic California 280Z. ALL original save for the PanaSport Wheels. This is a 3-owner Z and has been in California its entire life. It is very well documented as well, including the original window sticker showing it was sold new at Nevada Valley Imports in Grass Valley, CA and stating its $9,177 price in 1978.  This is probably the most original 280Z for sale on eBay.
It starts and drives great, and I have to keep reminding myself that it is a 35 year old car. The transmission shifts smooth and doesn't grind or have any problems at all.

Specifics:

  • VIN/Chassis #: GHLS30110599
  • "Sun Yellow" over Black Vinyl (which is in as-new condition with no signs of wear)
  • 77,300 original and accident-free miles
  • Original L28-198504 2.8L 6-cylinder Motor Mated to a 4-Speed MANUAL Transmission
  • 2 + 2 Seating
  • 16" PanaSport FZ Wheels (no rash or chunks missing) Wrapped in Yokohama YK520 255/50-16 Tires
  • New Fuel Injectors Installed 1 Year Ago (idles smooth)
  • Original Period Correct Blue/Yellow California Plates
  • Original Spare Tire with Jack, Datsun Tire Sealant and Even The Original Took Kit!

This Z is a pleasure to drive as-is, and gets many looks and nods of approval. You could leave it as it is, or if I were keeping it, I personally would budget about $3,000-$6,000 to make it look like it did the day it left the factory in Japan. 


If I were keeping, I would recommend tending to the following:

  1. Take care of the 3 small rust spots that are on the car as you can see in the pictures.  One is just after the drivers-side door sill, and the other 2 are on the passenger side in front of the rear wheel and the patch behind the rear wheel near the bumper.  
  2. New Front Steering/Suspension bushings (which come with it, i just never got around to installing them). It drives fine, but I am really picky and like direct feel and input from the car especially as far as steering is concerned.
  3. New tires in the next 5,000 miles. The Yokohama's have good tread left (atleast 60%), but they are getting dry and could be replaced. 
  4. A/C Compressor needs a recharge to blow ice.
  5. Dash has 2 small cracks in the center above the 3 gauges.
  6. And of course, if you REALLY want it to pop, a new paint job. Preferably its original Sun Yellow. On a side note, I still get compliments on the color, even thought it's 35 years old. The lady service manager at a Mobil 1 station where I was filling up this morning actually came out and said, "what a cool Z, I love the yellow paint." And her station services Ferrari's, Lamborghini's and Porsche's on the regular, so I was pretty surprised when she said that!

Well, that's about it. I think I have been as forthcoming as possible. It is a great daily driver, and although it's not perfect, it is original, and i think that's what is part of the allure. Not many cars of this era are still driving around with their original paint and interiors and look good enough to give a second look. It passed California Smog 2 days ago perfect.

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions or concerns and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Also, if you live in the Southern California area, you are welcome to come and inspect it in person.

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Auto blog

Datsun to unveil second model later this month

Sun, 08 Sep 2013

Datsun, Nissan's new sub-brand for emerging markets, has announced plans to unveil its second model. Its first, the Go, was unveiled almost two months ago, and promised affordable, connected motoring for five in a handsome hatchback body. Datsun is following that up with a pair of new models for Indonesia.
The first of these two new vehicles will be shown on September 17 in Jakarta, eschewing the typical auto show debut. It's targeted at so-called "risers," the nickname for a group of highly aspirational customers in the Indonesian market. Datsun developed it locally with help from Nissan, and it'll cost under 100 million Indonesian rupiah (about $8,900 at today's rates).
We'll have the full boatload of information on the newest member of the Datsun family when it debuts on September 17. Scroll on to read the full press release from Datsun.

Meet the man who took a year sabbatical to drive his 1967 Datsun Fairlady Roadster

Tue, 28 Jan 2014

A quiet drive in the country can be the most relaxing thing in the world. What if it didn't have to end, and you could keep driving for a week, a month or even a whole year? That's what Scott Fisher is doing by taking a one-year sabbatical from work and driving his 1967 Datsun Fairlady Roadster around North America.
"I had owned a manufacturing business in Las Vegas for 16 years. I knew I needed to kinda' get out, and unwind, and get my mojo back," said Fisher.
Fisher's trip has covered over 30,000 miles through 44 states and 7 Canadian Provinces, and it is not over yet. He left from his home in Las Vegas, NV, last spring and drove to the Pacific. From there, he drove up the coast to the Canadian border and aimed the car for the Atlantic. He just posted on his blog about visiting the Nissan headquarters and museum in Franklin, TN, and his next stops are Mississippi and New Orleans, LA.

Datsun expands low-cost revival with new Mi-Do in Moscow [w/video]

Fri, 29 Aug 2014

Those who were disappointed when Datsun changed its name to Nissan over three decades ago may have been pleased to see the marque revived last year, even as a budget brand. Nissan's counterpart to its ally Renault's Dacia budget brand, Datsun has been steadily expanding its lineup of low-cost transportation for developing markets with the debut of the Go hatchback in India, the Go+ minivan in Indonesia and the On-Do sedan in Russia. And now it has returned to Moscow to reveal its fourth model, the Mi-Do.
Based closely on the On-Do sedan (which itself is based on the Lada Granta) the Mi-Do takes on a five-door hatchback bodystyle but with no more frills. It uses the same front-drive chassis with the same wheelbase as the sedan, but its chopped tail makes it a good foot and a half shorter overall. Into that compact shape, Datsun has fitted dual airbags, ABS and... well, that's about it. It's got a 1.6-liter, eight-valve inline-four kicking out a grand total of 87 horsepower to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. Bare bones, this is.
While delivery of the first On-Do sedans commences next month (with the first example going to an IT specialist in Omsk), the Mi-Do is set to begin delivery early next year. Scope out the video and press release below from the Mi-Do's reveal at the Moscow Motor Show.