My 280Z
Thread Starter
Cobra Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
My 280Z
I've been looking for a fun car/project ever since I finished school in May.
My criteria was pretty simple:
RWD, Manual transmission, price from about $1,000-$40,000 (I know...really narrowed it down with the price)
Last night I picked up a 1975 Datsun 280z and I've been driving it ever since.
I plan on making a few changes to it, but here's how it sits now.
More pictures to come when I get my camera working. For now some iphone pictures will have to do.
My criteria was pretty simple:
RWD, Manual transmission, price from about $1,000-$40,000 (I know...really narrowed it down with the price)
Last night I picked up a 1975 Datsun 280z and I've been driving it ever since.
I plan on making a few changes to it, but here's how it sits now.
More pictures to come when I get my camera working. For now some iphone pictures will have to do.
TMS Post # 1,000,000
Serbian Steamer
Serbian Steamer
Joined: January 30, 2004
Posts: 12,636
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin / Serbia
FR500 Member
Joined: August 15, 2005
Posts: 3,084
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From: Honolulu
I like it. Almost impossible to find one locally that isn't either overpriced, rusted/rotted to heck, or has a SBC in it. Dreamed of finding one and doing it up like the "Devil Z" from the Wangan Midnight series - except with a Ford engine. 
Hope you have a blast with that car.
Hope you have a blast with that car.
Post *****
Joined: October 9, 2007
Posts: 32,808
Likes: 163
Originally Posted by Zastava_101
Was that the 10th Anniversary? I think only 3,000 were built and 2,500 of them were black and gold (other 500 were black and red).
She was a hot mom with a hot car
Thread Starter
Cobra Member
Joined: January 27, 2005
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 0
Thanks guys!
It's nice to hear from some other mustang guys that appreciate the old Z's. I couldn't be too sure how well it would be received on a mustang forum, but its the only forum I'm part of until I figure out which Z forums are good (any suggestions?)
The car really is in great shape IMO, it's certainly not a perfect 10, but from 5 or 10 feet away its pretty sharp. It was painted black (originally green) when it was restored about 5 years ago. I figured that anything major lurking below the paint would probably show through by now.
The first weekend with the car was awesome! The weather was perfect and since it was Canadian Thanksgiving, I had a whole extra day to drive. I put nearly 400 miles on the car in the 3 days and loved every minute (including a few character building moments)
1. Bad battery (when I tried to start it for my friends for the first time)
2. After a push start and giving some rides around the block, I was about to head home when it died completely. I let the revs go too low while dropping my friend off... right outside the bar (I guess it wanted me to stay) So the next day I replaced the battery which solved that problem.
3. Stuck throttle. I think it was just making sure I was paying attention. (caused by the floor mat. Relocated the floor mat. Should be fine now)
4. Fuel injector hose leak. Caught it at work while showing the engine bay to a Z owning coworker. (replaced fuel line before the drive home)
As far as mods go Arin, nothing is set in stone yet. I've always thought about a V8 conversion but I'm gonna stick with the straight 6 for now. Some of the mods I would make to a stock 280 are already done like aftermarket bumpers and steering wheel so that's a few less things for me to do.
I want to reduce the gap between the tires and the wheel arches (nothing ridiculous, just a bit lower), but I haven't decided exactly how much suspension work I want to do. I want to have a game plan before I dive into that.
Tighten up the shifter a bit.
New wheels and tires, but the tires on it have a lot of life left so I probably won't replace them right away.
Other than that I plan on fixing some minor mechanical things, like replacing all of the rubber fuel hoses and clamps (does anyone know of good clamps btw?). Also, the brakes feel odd to me. They seem to be a lot more sensitive than I think they should be. I'm thinking there might be something funny about the master vac brake booster, but I need to do some research.
Sorry for the long post, but its not nice driving weather tonight.
It's nice to hear from some other mustang guys that appreciate the old Z's. I couldn't be too sure how well it would be received on a mustang forum, but its the only forum I'm part of until I figure out which Z forums are good (any suggestions?)
The car really is in great shape IMO, it's certainly not a perfect 10, but from 5 or 10 feet away its pretty sharp. It was painted black (originally green) when it was restored about 5 years ago. I figured that anything major lurking below the paint would probably show through by now.
The first weekend with the car was awesome! The weather was perfect and since it was Canadian Thanksgiving, I had a whole extra day to drive. I put nearly 400 miles on the car in the 3 days and loved every minute (including a few character building moments)
1. Bad battery (when I tried to start it for my friends for the first time)
2. After a push start and giving some rides around the block, I was about to head home when it died completely. I let the revs go too low while dropping my friend off... right outside the bar (I guess it wanted me to stay) So the next day I replaced the battery which solved that problem.
3. Stuck throttle. I think it was just making sure I was paying attention. (caused by the floor mat. Relocated the floor mat. Should be fine now)
4. Fuel injector hose leak. Caught it at work while showing the engine bay to a Z owning coworker. (replaced fuel line before the drive home)
As far as mods go Arin, nothing is set in stone yet. I've always thought about a V8 conversion but I'm gonna stick with the straight 6 for now. Some of the mods I would make to a stock 280 are already done like aftermarket bumpers and steering wheel so that's a few less things for me to do.
I want to reduce the gap between the tires and the wheel arches (nothing ridiculous, just a bit lower), but I haven't decided exactly how much suspension work I want to do. I want to have a game plan before I dive into that.
Tighten up the shifter a bit.
New wheels and tires, but the tires on it have a lot of life left so I probably won't replace them right away.
Other than that I plan on fixing some minor mechanical things, like replacing all of the rubber fuel hoses and clamps (does anyone know of good clamps btw?). Also, the brakes feel odd to me. They seem to be a lot more sensitive than I think they should be. I'm thinking there might be something funny about the master vac brake booster, but I need to do some research.
Sorry for the long post, but its not nice driving weather tonight.
Tasca Super Boss 429 Member
Joined: September 28, 2007
Posts: 3,844
Likes: 1
From: Midlothian, Va
I really wish my 280ZX wasn't beyond saving(in my mind). I would and in reality probably could have restored it and made it a great driver.
It was a great car in the years we had it. Heck, I even learned how to drive stick on it.
It was a great car in the years we had it. Heck, I even learned how to drive stick on it.
