While we tend to be impressed by owners of supercars and restomods these days, it seems the previous version of peacocking in the car world was to buy a special edition model and put it on ice for a few decades. Pace cars, anniversary editions, and collaborations with celebrities were all triggers among the Big OEMs to put out a car with slick paint jobs and leather seats and then charge a premium for them. The 10th Anniversary Datsun 280ZX was aa classic example of this sales tactic, and the car shown here on craigslist shows just 26,600 miles from new.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Tony Primo for this submission. The seller notes it belonged to his father, and he’s asking $40,000 for this automatic 280ZX. That’s a lot of coin for a car without three pedals, and the era in which collectors paid top dollar for low-mileage Z cars may be coming to an end. Still, it’s not hard to find enthusiasts willing to spend $20,000 or so for a pristine 10th Anniversary edition car, which is notable for its two-tone paint job and unique wheels with painted bronze center spokes.
These limited-production S130 cars also got hood vents, a front spoiler, special decals, headlight wipers, removable T-tops, and a rear window wiper. The 2.8-liter L28E engine produces 135 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque, which certainly reminds you that this generation of the celebrated Z-car hails from the height of the malaise era. With such low miles, I’m guessing the maintenance paper trail on this Z is limited, and they were generally stout vehicles from a reliability standpoint. Still, potential buyers need to know if every vacuum line and hose has become brittle with age and lack of use before buying.
The vintage California vanity blue plates are definitely a bonus, and I’d love to know if you can transfer those according to California regulations. If I were a Z car enthusiast seriously considering a purchase, the plates would almost have to be transferable as a requirement for any potential deal. The rear window louvers are a treat and add to the period-correct vibe this 280ZX gives off. The asking price is strong, especially since that’s the same price a 10th Anniversary car with 10,000 miles and a stick went for not all that long ago. Do you think this time-capsule 280ZX is worth the ask?
I think it’s worth it. Even if you have to replace all the vacuum lines.
Had a chance in the early 80s to buy a cherry ZX that one of our company VPs had bought his daughter to drive in college. She graduated and he sold it, that thing was loaded. But I passed. A buddy of mine in the company bought it, less than two weeks later it was stolen out of his driveway at home.
Jeff, since you asked, wow, I don’t know, but that’s a high price for a 2 pedal zx in my eyes. If someone will pay it, I guess it’s worth it to that person. You could get a good driver grade early 240Z for that money. And which would you rather have?
I feel like I say this a lot. Way too high for a not so desirable car.
Agree that is just crazy money these 10th anniversary cars do not bring top money even with 26,000 miles and the automatic does not help.
Well,here is a 3 pedal currently on BaT which is pristine and should gauge what it’s true value is in the market.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1980-datsun-280zx-79/
A friend of mine, who I worked for in the late 70s, had a car like this in the early 80s. I was hanging out at his cousins farm in N.Wis., one “spirited” night after a Packer game, we get just out of town, and he lets this thing go. His was a 5 speed, and was impressed when he shifted into 5th at 100. It was an awesome car, to say the least. Didn’t last long, sadly, as Wis. winters took its toll. In 5 years, it was gone. I remember, we had a game, “Count the hose clamps”, and surely another downfall. I don’t think his ever idled right. Probably epitome of the original Z car. Price? Who cares?
The plates stay with the vehicle in California…really old cars have black plates with orange numbers. Great car !
I find it very humorous that the seller doesn’t even know what their own license plates say.
Automatic – No thanks. I had a 79 gold and brown Z with a 5 speed! Loved it!
40 grand??
There is one in Milwaukee that’s been for sale for weeks for 15 grand. It’s just as nice as this one, and it’s a 5 speed! This guy is dreaming…
In 81 I decided I needed a daily driver with something less than 440 cubic inches, so I went on down to my Datsun dealership to look at the 280zxs. They had three on the lot, all solid colors with automatics and not much bling to speak of. In the showroom, however, a two toned copper/brown 200sx coupe with spoked polished rims, a manual trans and just about every option available caught my eye. I really liked that little car before swapping it for a 70 Corvette a few years later. Since then, those little 200sx’s have pretty much ceased to exist in the known universe.