It’s hard to deny the allure of the forbidden fruits of the auto world—your JDM (Japanese Domestic Market), your Euro-spec, and so on—but also hard to deny that they come with a high intimidation factor. Serviceability, parts availability, and compliance with local registration requirements can all be high hurdles to clear. If you like the idea of trying a taste of another market, but aren’t quite ready for the deep end, how about a non-U.S. version of a car that was sold here, like this JDM 1979 Datsun Fairlady 280Z? It can be found here on eBay out of Hixson, Tennessee, with an $8,000 or best offer buy it now price.
Z cars were, of course, sold here in good numbers, so parts and knowledgeable technicians won’t be hard to find—you could even source the required parts to make it California smog-legal, if need be—but the right-hand drive cockpit and fender-mounted mirrors add a bit of exotic allure.
That allure is a nice bonus for this car’s healthy asking price, since the 1979-83 S130-generation Z cars aren’t the most beloved. Still, this one is the tidier 2-seater and boasts an appealingly simple spec, lacking many of the options that gave this model its baroque grand tourer rep like two-tone paint and a T-top roof, although it does have power windows. Even better is the mileage—a low, low 41,000 KM, or about 25,500 miles.
A final feather in this Fairlady’s cap is the signature, on both sunvisors, of legendary Nissan U.S.A. president and “Father of the Z” Yutaka Katayama. Katayama, who only passed away in 2015 at the remarkable age of 105, spearheaded Nissan’s entry into the American market in the early ’60s and was the key driver behind the development of the original 240Z, although he had returned to Japan and retired by the time this model was produced.
So while ’79 may not be most Z-car enthusiasts’ pick for best vintage, this example has a lot going for it. The L28E inline six is the same 135-horse unit installed in the U.S.-bound 280ZX, and it drives the rear wheels via a four-speed stick. In the negative column are some electrical issues—non-functional temp and gas gauges and a faulty horn relay—a missing A/C compressor belt, and “slight chips in the paint and little spots of surface rust” that are unfortunately not pictured. Nor are we shown anything of the car’s underside, although it has been garage-kept; hopefully everything’s shipshape down below.
I’m nobody’s purist, so I don’t mind the slightly softer character of the S130-gen Z, and I’m in the minority that likes its looks. I think if I were to be bitten by the JDM bug, this would be a painless entry point—not so obscure as to make ownership a nightmare, but different enough to stand out a bit. What would be your dream JDM import?
Looks like it has potential, but have no idea how the pricing compares. When I read eBay listing and “The radio doesn’t work and the A/C compressor doesn’t have a belt so I’m not sure if it works but the fan will blow. The temperature and gas gauges don’t work and the horn doesn’t work but just needs a replacement relay” I think caveat emptor.
These ZX generation cars don’t have the same appeal as the earlier Z cars, and except for the novelty factor of RHD and the Fairlady name I don’t think this car will be seen as having much more value than a regular No American ZX.
The early Fairlady cars that were based on the first gen Z car body were JDM cars and were not only RHD but also had a different, more exotic engine than the No American 240Z that came to us a bit later.
This ZX doesn’t have those special features. The most unique and desirable things on this car might be the sun visors that have been signed by Mr. K.
But it’s still good to have this JDM car in No America, if only so people can see it at Z car meets, and see what the 2nd-gen JDM cars were like.
Interesting, wondering what it’s worth in UK.
the radio, if jdm wont work in the us/canada since different frequencies
funny that the rear wiper is not on the opposite side since sweep is against the vision. owned a delica… make sure insurance company will take you on… in ontario near impossible now… mandatory insurance means government WILL insure you through “facility” but you pay as if you are 16 y.o., 3 speeding tickets, 2 accidents and driving a rhd viper not a slug delica… arg!
I think you can buy a device that shifts the reception a little so JDM radios work in other countries? I might be wrong but recall something when the U.K. was getting lots of imports back in the 90’s.
Sounds painful on the insurance.
Had a 1970 Toyopet(JDM Corona Mk.II) w/ oem A.M. radio worked just fine. I think it did not tune has low, up went higher up. 680-1710kc has I recall
I don’t se why somebody would go through the expense of importing this car when it isn’t really desirable in the US.
It seems like a huge waste of good money.
Miguel, To you maybe. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.There is a strong following for JDM vehicles in the US. You might not have a clue but it is happening now. There is even a TV show JDM Legends on Velocity.
In Japan they have built some of the fastest production vehicles in the world. The Nissan Skyline and Toyota Supra’s are on fire. Since they have reached the 25 year old mark they are arriving on American soil daily. Type in a search and see for yourself.
I had a JDM Toyota Sera I imported from Japan to the US for about a year and a half. Insured it with Auto Owners along with my regular cars. I was driving it and hit a small animal and was enough to rip up the front and rear custom bumper covers. Never had a claim prior. The adjuster not knowing what he was looking at was ready to total it on the basis it was a 1990. I laughed. Not so. It had to be repaired as I had a stated value on it.
I later sold it and within a few months imported another JDM vehicle and Auto Owners declined to insure it. Even though they covered my other car. I now have American Collectors Ins. with a stated value and premium is only a little over $200. a year. My car collection is now with them. Indecently if you have garage full of collectible automobile memorabilia they insure that as well.
I know about the JDM fad, but that is for cars that were not sold in the US.
There were a lot of these cars sold and they are just not what collectors, or drivers are looking for.
Maybe after all the 240s and the 260 disappear, these will take their place.
My point being, why would somebody spend so much money to import a right hand driver model when you can get a US spec car for virtually no money?
Miguel – if I had garage space I “might” negotiate a deal on this. I was the first owner of a US 1980 280 ZX to be admitted to the “Windy City Z Club”. Yes, their Board of Directors and members had to vote to allow me AND my new silver metallic “stripper” ZX into the club. Members had lovely 240-280s and the events were wonderful. Even got to circulate the much beloved Road America circuit and get ice and water for one Paul Newman when he raced them. So, I’m sure they’d welcome me back into the fold with this car. AND, with me being a “leftie” and having mirrors way out on the fenders, it would be super easy to drive here (on the right occasion). To each their own. I’d just prefer a different color…