While the Z31 chassis of the iconic Nissan 300ZX is well known to enthusiasts, near-perfect time-capsule examples like this 50th Anniversary model with just 179 original miles are far from common. The selling dealer claims the one previous owner bought the car new and promptly put it into garage storage, likely hoping to see a windfall from preserving of the more collectible Z31s ever made. It’s listed for sale here on eBay with a $49,995 Buy-It-Now and bidding over $22K with the reserve unmet.
This 50th Anniversary Edition was loaded to the hilt when it left the factory. It comes with all the 50th-specific kit and emblems, along with OEM rear window louvers, 50th Anniversary car cover, bags for the T-tops, rear “Turbo” garnish between the taillights, toolkit and more. The 50th Anniversary cars also got custom badges on the fenders and embroidered floor mats inside the cabin. While this one is near-perfect, gallery photos do show pitting on the unique alloy wheels.
The interior is near-perfect, with no visible flaws to the black leather bucket seats. The only option when spec’ing out a 50th Anniversary car was the choice between an automatic and a manual transmission, and this car thankfully has the latter. Otherwise, they came fully loaded out of the box, with all sorts of tweaks and tech features ranging from a digital dash with a G-force meter, adjustable shocks, seat-mounted speakers, fender flares, side skirts, and mirrored T-tops.
If I’m going to buy the best Z31 I can find, a Shiro Special is where I’d put my money. The 50th Anniversary car is a close second, and with the turbocharged VG30ET V6 under the hood, it will be an entertaining driver no matter which special edition you choose. However, forking over $50K for one of these 300ZXs may put you ahead of the market by a long shot, as most examples sell for $20K or less. So let us know your thoughts below: is this time-capsule Z31 worth the asking price?
What a waste of an average driving car.
The tail panel piece, if I am remembering correctly, was aftermarket. Saw them on 924’s & 944’s in the ’80’s often enough. Cheesy then, extra cheesy now…fugly
That tail light panel displaces the license plate making the back of the car look like it was unfinished.
I actually like it. Looks very eighties!
I had a ‘84 300zx 2+2 with that tail light assembly. Nissan used that assembly until mid year then it changed to place the license plate higher, also the part was expensive.
I was 17 when dad bought his new ’84 300ZX Turbo (not the 50th anniversary edition though). It was his 3rd Z, after the ’72 and the ’76. I drove the ’84 many times. What I remember most clearly about it was how crazy high the nose lifted when you floored it, even at highway speeds. BTW — I’m with Fiete, those panels between the taillights were awful then and even worse now.
Josh, don’t you mean the rear end going down on acceleration and up on braking.
I don’t remember the front of these doing anything.
Nope, that’s what I meant. I mean, yes, the rear squatted and the nose lifted, both. Headlights pointed up. A lot.
Time capsule of a design era that you either loved or hated. Almost makes an 84 Corvette look kind of plain.
This car deserves to be in a museum, if it was 10 grand less I would start one after I drove it a few hundred miles .
If it’s louvered, it must be the 80’s.
Louvers were a great, great, great idea.
I don’t buy the 179 miles on this car.Wheels do not get pitted sitting in a garage. Front driver seat has a lot of crease in leather for only being driven 179 miles. I believe I see rock chips on lower body panels. Nice car ,to bad if wasn’t driven and used as it was intended for.
Beautiful car, I really liked these when they came out… and still do. Can’t bend my head around that price however – I’d be okay with a gently loved, lower priced example.
“My father spent 35 years storing this baby. It is his love. It is his passion…”
“It is his fault he didn’t lock the garage.”
Uh, no. Doesn’t work. Sorry.
Still carrying the Datsun name on the rear hatch.
Hi , several things that I have noticed about this example. The wheels being pitted, the paint on the nose is about 90% worn, the paint break pin stripe has been replaced at some point, and doesn’t match up as well as a factory edition release did, the seats are heavily creased, as well, ..one is best vested timewise to “check out this car” “AND” the dealer, completely, …wayyyy too many crooks out there trying to make greedy deals on prepped junk .
My partner in a business had one just like this but not anniversary thing. One day I flew out plane out for the annual and he came out to pick me up and I drove this home. It topped out at 130 mph, handling was at best ok, decent looking vehicle, shifted nice but I question if it’s worth half the BIN price. A lot better could be bought better for the same $$$$
I agree with you on this point
Since when dose this qualify as a Barn Find? It’s in a show room.
Showroom find then!
50k for a 300zx get a grip. 10k is more like it. 179 miles i call bulls$$t.
I agree.
This one ls like it still has the Panasonic Bodysonic Drivers internal to the seats. Really cool option. Is like having subwoofers in the seats that actually don’t make any sound but you literally feel the bass from them.
sell it for a reason price not over $12.000 you do car no justice sitting up it
Be dry rotted