• Seller: Brian N icklas (Contact)
• Location: Artesia, California
• Mileage: 99,290 Shown
• Chassis #: HS130209374
• Title Status: Clean
• Engine: Inline 6
• Transmission: Automatic

Datsun was throwing a party in 1980, and the 280ZX was the guest of honor. The 1980 model year marked a decade since the first of the company’s iconic Z-Cars hit the market, making it the ideal moment to release the 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition. Only 3,000 of these cars left the factory, with our featured car a genuine turnkey survivor. After years of limited use and a recent revival, this classic is set to find a new home. The seller has listed the Datsun here on eBay in Artesia, California. Frantic bidding has pushed the price to $3,050, and with No Reserve, this Datsun is days away from finding a new owner.

Datsun developed a reputation during the 1960s for producing affordable, high-quality small cars. Japanese manufacturers were perfecting the art of tight panel gaps, with the competition from other nations forced to play catch-up to achieve a similar level of fit and finish. However, Datsun wished to inject excitement into its model range, releasing the original 240Z into North American markets in 1970 as a genuine sports car. The badge evolved, with the more luxurious 280ZX launched in 1978. With a decade having elapsed since the first Z-Car rolled off the showroom floor, the company unveiled a 10th Anniversary Edition in 1980. Buyers could choose between a pair of two-tone paint combinations, with approximately 2,500 selecting the Black and Gold gracing this car’s exterior. The presentation isn’t perfect, with the original paint exhibiting small areas of patchiness, and the clearcoat beginning to peel on the hatch. However, there is good news on two fronts. The first is that this classic has spent its life in California, a state renowned for a climate favorable to preserving steel. The other is that there is evidence that this Datsun received a Ziebart treatment at some point. Combine those factors, and this survivor’s rust-free status is unsurprising. The glass T-Top is in good condition, as are the color-matched alloy wheels.

Apart from rust, the 280ZX’s other weakness was deteriorating interior trim. Plastic and vinyl often didn’t respond well to long-term UV exposure, with many items cracking or crumbling. This Datsun hasn’t suffered that fate, although the recently installed seatcovers have undoubtedly helped its cause. The upper dash hasn’t split, with the remaining plastic and upholstered surfaces in good order. The numbered 10th Anniversary Edition plaque is intact, and I can’t spot any aftermarket additions. The 10th Anniversary package loaded the 280ZX with luxury features. Buyers received air conditioning, power windows, power mirrors, cruise control, a rear defogger, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM radio and cassette player with a funky four-speaker joystick fader control.

As the model designation suggests, the 280ZX was powered by a 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine. Datsun’s L-Series engines are among the most robust of their type from this period, capable of covering enormous distances with little more than routine maintenance. Disappointingly, the first owner paired the six with a three-speed automatic transmission rather than the more desirable five-speed manual. That will negatively impact outright performance, but would make coping with heavy city traffic a breeze. The seller confirms that this classic hasn’t seen much recent action, spending most of its life in a dry garage. However, they replaced the oil and filter, adding a new fuel pump and spark plugs. They confirm that the Datsun can initially be slightly cold-blooded, but that it runs and drives well. They haven’t tackled any long journeys, and the impression is that the winning bidder should probably have the vehicle inspected more thoroughly before considering cross-country adventures.

With a production total of only 3,000 vehicles, the 1980 Datsun 280ZX 10th Anniversary Edition is a relatively rare beast. This one isn’t perfect, but lifting its appearance would be reasonably straightforward. It appears enthusiasts recognize the potential, as the 280ZX has already received forty-two bids. The Listing View and Watch List tallies are equally impressive, and with No Reserve, this Datsun is guaranteed to find a new home. Are you tempted to make it yours?