- Seller: Bryan J (Contact)
- Location: El Paso, Texas
- Mileage: 82,081 Shown
- Chassis #: HS130215886
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.8-Liter Inline 6-Cylinder
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
Talk about a time capsule – this 1980 Datsun 280ZX looks like an incredible survivor, at least once you get it out of the garage and back on the road. The only hint of rust is from the previous owner and a leaky battery, so the battery tray could use work or replacement. It’s located in the great city of El Paso, Texas, and is listed as a Barn Finds Exclusive with an asking price of $3,900!
The Datsun Fairlady was known as the 240/260/280 Z here, or 280ZX in this case. We got two trim levels, a base model and the four-seater known as the Grand Luxury, or GL 2+2. This one is the base model and looks to be a solid example. Unfortunately, many of the photos are cropped or cut off, but I don’t see any flaws on the exterior of this car; it looks perfect to me.
You can see the badge signifying Datsun 280ZX by Nissan, which is how American-bound cars were known between 1979 and the end of the run in 1983. They came out in 1978. Between 1984 and 1990, they were replaced by the much more modern-looking 300ZX, which in turn was replaced by the otherworldly, somewhat supercar-looking Nissan 300ZX in 1990. The seller has uploaded many underside and detailed photos so you can see just how solid this car is.
The seller says this car was owned by a woman in Las Vegas until 2014. They say that the former owner put it in storage as it started running rough. The interior looks good, except for the front seats, which need to be recovered, according to the seller. Thankfully, this car has a five-speed manual, so once it’s dialed in again (due to mostly sitting since at least 2014), it’ll be fun to drive. They say the power mirrors and power windows work, but the air-conditioning isn’t currently working.
This car is powered by a Nissan L28, a 2.8-liter SOHC inline-six, which would have been factory-rated at 132 horsepower and 144 lb-ft of torque when new. Backed by a five-speed manual sending power to the rear wheels, the seller says it likely needs a new head gasket and someone to troubleshoot the rough-running issue. They’re including a ton of spare parts and new parts, and if you like to tinker and have always wanted a nice-looking 280ZX, this one is for you. Check it out here as a Barn Finds Exclusive!
We don’t get to see the back seats because there are none. This is a very nice example of a 2-seat 280ZX. The 2+2 had a very different profile.
These are going for crazy money. This won’t last long.
Seems too cheap.
Why does th seller think it. Needs a head gasket? Just curious.
Great price for one of the best all around Gt cars anywhere near their price class.
One of the sharpest sports car of it’s time!
What a mish mash of good pics, bad pics and bizarre pics. Interior pics show a black dash with blue front, black dash with black front. Some pics from 10/24. Some pics of unrecognizable parts and ?? No full profile pics of car, owner couldn’t be bothered with pushing it out and hosing it off.
And it may need a head gasket?! Lots of pics of thermostat, water pump, temperature sensor…..seems like it was suffering from an overheating problem. Warped head?! Too many if’s and not enough decent pics. An uncharacteristically low price for this desirable car typically means car requires mucho $$$. Pass.
There were full exterior photos taken outdoors, but they disappeared; the car looked perfect. My apologies for missing the fact that this is a base model without rear seats.
or the opposite. Some1 w/desire (not me, need 240 model for that) and skills might goferidid.
Seems most could do w/the caveat: the more U put in the more U get out: “…What a mish mash of good pics, bad pics and bizarre pics. Interior pics show a black dash with blue front, black dash with black front…. No full profile pics of car, owner couldn’t be bothered with pushing it out and hosing it off….”
Good 2 C a lill more w/these ‘on-site’ Exclusives (writer’s name, etc) now.