No Reserve! 1977 Datsun 280Z Project

Seller: Matthew P lumley

Location: Fort Myers, Florida
Mileage: 67,698 Shown
Chassis #: HLS30375449

Title Status: Clean
Engine: 2.8-Liter Inline 6-Cylinder
Transmission: 5-Speed Manual

We think many of us here agree that the Datsun 240/260/280Z is among the best-looking cars to come out of Japan. It’s gorgeous. They also lend themselves well to modifications, as evidenced by those fantastic Bob Sharp Z’s that carved up the SCCA road races of the 1970s. With some ’70s-approved flared fenders, might this ’77 280Z be an appropriate starting point for an SCCA tribute for the street? (The answer is yes, yes it is.) Located in Fort Myers, Florida, it’s now being offered as a No Reserve auction here on Barn Finds as a solid restoration project with a sizable stash of parts (some in original Nissan packaging) to help you put it all back together again.

Nothing is perfect, and perhaps the only knock on ’70s Z-cars is their spectacular lack of corrosion resistance, which, to be fair, was endemic to most cars from that decade. This 280Z appears to have not suffered from that malady; one look at the floor pan and rocker panel in this picture can verify that. You certainly don’t need me to tell you how nice it is to start with clean metal, and the seller claims that it’s a rust-free car.

The 280Z, as sold in the United States, did have prominent front and rear bumpers, but earlier bumpers can be adapted. I was fooled by a 280 with slim bumpers once; the only obvious giveaway that it wasn’t a 240 was the badge. Or, as mentioned above, you could convert it to a Bob Sharp replica and leave the bumpers off entirely. It’s up to you.

The beautiful overhead cam six was punched out to, obviously, 2.8 liters. With Bosch fuel injection, it made 149 net horsepower and was quick by 1977 standards. Our auction car has not run in 10 years, so at the very least, it will need some fuel system attention before you can move it around the yard.

The Z’s interior was as bold and muscular as its exterior, with cowled gauges and a rakish seating position. This car will need upholstery, door panels, and carpet, but it comes with all the glass and new weatherstripping. If it’s important to you, and it should be, this is a manual transmission-equipped car.

This stalled project might be the Datsun Z you’ve been looking for. Values of all ’70s Z’s have been on the rise for years, and finding a solid one can be exhausting. Because this one needs a restoration, you can return it to stock or modify it to suit your tastes. The seller opted to have one of our pro photographers take the pictures for them, and since it’s a project, they made sure to take an incredible number of detailed photos. Be sure to take a closer look and cast your high bid below!