11 Mile 1980 Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary

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While this site has seen plenty of low-mileage specimens come up for grabs, having a mere 11 miles on the odometer is one of the lowest recordings I can recall seeing. Even better is that it’s a genuinely desirable car with this test drive-grade mileage reading, as it’s a limited production 10th anniversary edition Nissan 280ZX. 3,000 were made, most of which wore a black/gold color combination – but a mere 500 were red and black, which is the color of our subject car that you can find here on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Patrick S. for the find.

Now, let’s first clarify it’s not really a for sale post, but rather the poster letting us know that the Datsun is headed for a major automotive auction house soon. The red/black cars are indeed sought after, but you’ll still occasionally find a 10th anniversasry car in the junkyard despite the rarity. These Z cars were born into the malaise era, where emissions equipment strangled performance and huge safety bumpers marred otherwise good looking vehicles. Despite that, low mileage Z cars tend to command a strong price, so this time warp will do well at auction.

Time warp really is the only good word for it, as this is as close as you’re going to get for a brand new vintage Z car. The seller notes that the current owner’s grandfather owned a Nissan/Datsun dealership and that the car was purchased from inventory and apparently, went immediately into long-term storage. Teh seating surfaces are perfect, and the plastics around the console and dash look absolutely brand new. The factory high-output stereo remains in place and really – this should come as no surprise – nothing looks out of place.

I love the original details, like the dealer plate insert still attached to the rear license plate panel. The 280ZX likely wears original tires, and really should keep that factory rubber as long as possible – which, I suspect, won’t be a problem as this car is never going to see ongoing road use. It will either be in a museum exhibit at Nissan headquarters (though, given the company’s precarious financial position, likely not a smart thing to spend money on) or owner by a Z car fanatic who keeps it on a battery tender and trailered to shows. For an 11-mile example, I’ll allow it.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Nevadahalfrack NevadahalfrackMember

    Great “trailer queen”-it’ll be a good addition to someone’s car museum/collection.
    Don’t know what else anyone could do with it!

    Like 7
  2. Russ Dixon Russ DixonStaff

    Jay Leno?

    Like 5
    • 86_Vette_Convertible

      I think Jay would drive it and that would devalue a 11 mile car.
      Interesting car but who knows what it will go for and I don’t have a museum to put it in.

      Like 2
  3. Classic Steel

    I am not sure on price as not a Facebook person.

    Depending on price one could drive it 👀🤑

    Can i see the speedo cable ensure no vice grip free bites 🤠

    Like 1
    • JudoJohn

      No price is listed on the FB ad. It is going to go to an auction.

      Like 1
  4. Mike

    Is there ANYBODY that can take a car cover off completely for pictures?

    Like 7
    • Ike Onick

      I will when I sell my Corvette.

      Like 3
  5. Little_Cars

    “It will either be in a museum exhibit at Nissan headquarters (though, given the company’s precarious financial position, likely not a smart thing to spend money on).” Due to staffing reduction and financial belt-tightening, doubtful my nearby Nissan HQ and/or the Nissan Heritage Collection will be bidding on this car for their display. The periodic tours of the Datsun collection have ceased to be and the best tour guides have scattered and/or retired from Nissan.

    Like 4
  6. Bob McK

    If I could afford it, I would add it to my collection and drive it like I drive my other collector cars. It is the perfect color

    Like 2
  7. Richard

    Nice car but strictly for looking. Keep it hermetically sealed.

    Like 0
  8. Freddy Green

    I just bought a 2020 stingray loaded for 150k only 5 miles paid cash I also have a 280zx like this one here but all my 5 cars only have 3 miles on them no dealer prep off the truck into my warehouse. I now have over 400 cars muscle cars too all my cars have less than 10 miles on them and no dealer prep from the carrier delivered inside my warehouse unloaded inside too no snoops to see 🤣 then all done truck drove out empty ready for another load. I have more cars than Jay Leno does he came over to see my collection 10 years ago and his jaw dropped when he saw them all inside !!!!! Youname the car I have it some cars I have 5 or more of the same ones like COPO Camaro chevelle corvair I have over 10 of each less then 10 miles !!!!!

    Like 1
    • Sean

      Why? What good are they if you cannot drive or enjoy them? just to sit and rot away …..what a shame

      Like 5
    • Claudio

      Freddy green
      If you are real
      If you are for real
      I hope you give to charities
      I hope you volunteer
      For something
      Cause you sound totally out of whack!

      Like 6
      • Richard

        Claudio- Turn up you sarcasm meter, he’s joking.

        Like 1
    • Bob McK

      Nice collection Freddy. It will be interesting to see what happens to them after you pass. Your estate will flood the market. You are a lucky man! Enjoy your collection.

      Like 0
  9. John Oliveri

    You can’t drive it, it’s gotta be kept well, climate controlled environment, it’s really something, and I’m not a big fan of these, I prefer the 240Z but this is fabulous

    Like 1
  10. Keith Eisenbrei

    Could you imagine if this was a 67 L-88 Corvette with 11 miles but it is not and really doesn’t interest to many people.Guess we will see when it sells.

    Like 2
    • John Oliveri

      Nothing from 1980 is collectible in my book, the only 2 decent things about the 80s was the 5.0 motor from Ford, and somehow in Gods name the GNX with a 3.8 pice of junk in any other form

      Like 2
  11. John

    Brings back memories as a detailer at a Datsun dealership when these came out. Readied a slew of these cars for delivery. Especially liked the lime green paint. The engines were smooth as silk but the body style was unexpected given the prior years..actually kind of a disappointment. Great interior though, looks as if I’d just wiped it down yesterday!

    Like 3
    • Lynn

      John, your memories are somewhat similar to mine. When the 280ZX was introduced, I made numerous drives to the San Pedro port. Over the months I noted a growing orchard of fruit colored Zs in the lot farthest from the shipping area. You were one of the few who liked any of those fruits. I did like the solution from one inspired dealer. He did a two tone blend on the lower portion of the car and called it a Tequila Sunrise. Cheers!

      Like 2
      • John

        Hey Lynn, our dealership got real creative – management hired a guy to lay down some pin stripes on our vehicles. It actually helped, and as I looked at it, the guy did it just right. Not too much, not too little. Orange looked terrible on these vehicles. Silver, black and white (was it offered in white?) looked OK. Don’t remember seeing too many red ones..long time ago.

        Like 1
    • Little_Cars

      Unexpected, yes. My boss allowed me to pull his new 280Z out of the parking lot to drive it a short distance to have it washed/detailed periodically. My memory of the car was the original pure Z design had been bloated and the interior appointments screamed “cushy sport touring car.” A friend of my fathers bought a 240Z new in the first week they were delivered to the East Coast. He spoke at my dad’s funeral in 1996 and afterward I asked if he still had it. He did/does.

      Like 1
  12. DonP

    Don’t know how far or fast I’d drive on 40 year old tires. The other question would be, are the seals shot fro drying out and age? Plus, it has those damned ugly oversize bumpers too.

    Like 1
    • Little_Cars

      Most folks who own survivors like this remove the wheels and tires and store them, only to be installed for shows and “concours judging.” Those wheels would benefit from zero road time because over time the painted black spoke inserts disappeared. New owner should find wheels and buy new rubber if they are going to drive any great distance.

      Like 0
  13. Comet

    Freddy Green seems like a humble guy. I’d love to see his collection.

    Like 3
  14. Little_Cars

    Or some insured driver in a 2019 Honda could plow into you! Same difference. The value of that Vette’s insurance couldn’t replace the originality of the car.

    Like 0

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