This 1976 Datsun 280Z is said to wear exceedingly low mileage with cosmetic condition that seems to back it up. The seller notes this is an estate sale find with under 13,000 original miles, and the high levels of originality could provide buyers with enough visual evidence that the odometer isn’t lying. Do you think this 280Z is an authentic time capsule? Find it here on eBay with an opening bid of $12,500 and no action.
I’m sure our readers can sniff out any potential signs that this Datsun wears a repaint or is otherwise hiding some sins of previous owners. But from where I’m sitting, the near-perfect license plate; un-warped plastic bumper trim; hubcaps that show no sign of paint fade; and a body that’s as straight as an arrow all point to a history with more time spent in storage than on the open road.
Likewise, the interior is just too good to be true. Even in some of the best specimens out there, the Z-car interior is not known for its durability. The dash plastics look like only a new car’s can, and even the leather shifter boot remains in perfect condition. The original radio is in place and the Datsun badge above the glovebox looks like it’s never seen the sun. The seller notes some carpet fade in the hatch area but otherwise, no defects.
The seller pulled the plugs and added some Marvel Mystery oil about a month ago and the Datsun now turns over with the key (but has yet to fire). He hooked up a battery and was stunned to see everything works, even the power antenna and factory radio. The gas tank is empty but does smell like lacquer, the seller notes, but otherwise sees no major flaws. To me, the opening bid seems fair but others clearly disagree. What about you?
Looks legit miles to me.
similar thing happened to me guy went into the hospital and needed some money I was able to help him out and he gave me this car
Had it’s twin in 1986-87, chic magnet 4sure, ended up trading it for a speed boat and yes that front bumper would catch your leg if you were in a hurry lol. I’d buy another one, it was fun to drive.
Man I find an estate car like this I’m never selling it. Why is it most the time the guy who pulls it out of the garage goes right to eBay?
$ $ign$
So the opening bid is $12,500 for a non running car?
Agree. I think those are original miles. Nice car. Would like to see some clear photos.
Man, that front bumper is ugly!
Welcome to the world of 1970s 5-mph bumpers! (Yeah, right)
Have a look at a US-spec mid-’70s B-210 Datsun, but not if you’ve already eaten.
Just imagine the horror if the government mandated 10mph bumpers!
Mike, kind of like these?
esv-2
esv-3
This is the funniest one.
Click on it to see the full ad.
This is a hard one to call. The body and interior look really good, and those are two areas that can cost a lot to restore perfectly in an old Z car, so that’s a big plus.
If the underside (no photos provided) is as good as the topside and interior the car could be worth more than the current $12.5K bid, but you don’t know what it will take to buy the car since the reserve hasn’t been met.
The drivetrain is an unknown since the car hasn’t been run in a very long time. Good that it cranks over, but you still don’t know how it runs and drives.
The seller seems to think be has a really good car to sell but he hasn’t done much to back up the idea that it will run as well as it looks. These 280s have F.I. and there’s a lot more than can need fixing with F.I. than with the carbs that the early Z cars had.
The fact that the seller says the gas tank is empty but smells of lacquer isn’t encouraging. Better plan to remove, clean, and recondition the tank, replace the fuel filter, and then hope that’s all you have to do.
These cars have mechanical speedometers, and the fact that the ODO numbers don’t line up perfectly for such a low mile car is a red flag. I have seen some of these Z car ODOs show evidence of tampering to roll back mileage, so I would not depend on the low mileage being 100% accurate. The best way to evaluate the car would be to get it running and do a test drive, and not depend only on a low number on the ODO.
This site has been on a Z car frenzy lately. Lots of ’em. Not a bad thing, just what it is.
280z’s aren’t nearly as valuable today as an original 240, but one like this could definitely be worth low teens if it’s truly in as good a shape as this one looks in these pics. If I were the owner, I would have done whatever it took to get it up and running before it hit eBay. I’d at least have done a compression check and posted the results. Check that — it wouldn’t have hit eBay until I was too old to drive it myself. Those straight 6’s are nearly bulletproof so if it has compression it probably just needs injectors, fuel system clean, a tune up, and some fresh gas.
Be aware after 99,999 miles odometer rolls over to zero miles with these, maybe actual mileage 113,000
I have a buddy who owns a car shop. He has been at a 280Z for weeks now. The owner has thrown everything he can at it as far as new parts goes. It starts up and will drive about 5 miles then it dies. New F.I., New Ignition coils, Super tune up, fuel filters, Even a new head I think. I’m not sure if they replaced the timing chain yet. My thinking is that it has a bad ground or the gas with 10% ethonal is the cause. The car is in good shape though. This one is in better shape looks wise. It will need a thorough going over though. It is definetely a good starting point even if the miles have been rolled back.
“Some tiny bubbles”
Wasn’t that Don Ho’s line?