“No reserve” can be a thrill – or, in the case of this 1980 Nissan 280ZX, a conundrum. Is there enough value in this ZX to make it worth the price? Nissan launched the 280ZX (aka, S130) in response to a shifting market that placed fuel economy at the top of consumer concerns. Too, its 280Z was aging into irrelevance, with competitors including Toyota’s Supra and Mazda’s RX7 vying for the attention of buyers. The new car was launched in 1978, retaining the barest minimum of the Z-car’s shape. It was longer, wider, and heavier; as compensation for this shift off the “sporty” spectrum, it had almost 30% more interior space than its predecessor. In keeping with its new dimensions, the ZX was slower than the S30 and rode like a competent sedan rather than a curve-carver. Today’s example is from the 10th-anniversary series; it’s a project car located in Branson, Missouri.
The engine is the S30’s 2.8-liter straight-six choked down to 135 hp; the five-speed manual gearbox is also inherited from the earlier 280. Zero to sixty is north of 11 seconds. To bring the car into the personal luxury niche, Nissan replaced the rear suspension with semi-trailing arms and tuned the whole underside for a soft ride. The seller asserts a version of “ran when parked”; the current mechanical condition is unknown.
The interior – or what remains of it – was considered ergonomically outstanding when the ZX was introduced. The gauges are very visible, the seats are comfortable. The top-shelf GL package offered power steering and cruise control. This 10th-anniversary edition has leather upholstery. A profile photo shows that some portion of the driver’s door is damaged – perhaps only the window, perhaps part of the door as well. While more than 440k 280ZX cars were sold, parts such as trim can be difficult to find, so the restorer might find himself cruising junkyards and swap meets.
This car is listed here on eBay with bidding at $2005. Driver’s door notwithstanding, the trim, lenses, sheet metal, and even much of the paint are in decent condition. Meanwhile, remember the phrase – “a rising tide lifts all boats”? That pertains to cars, too: when the car you really want is too expensive, you’ll trade down: a coupe instead of a convertible, an auto instead of a four-speed. In the Z-car world, 240s have skyrocketed, pulling up all their brethren. This spectacular 280ZX sold for over $50k recently, though this version – at a sale price of $12k – is more typical.
Branson, Mo.,, It’s Vegas if it was run by Ned Flanders. I worked for a guy that had a car like this, only a 2+2, I think. Plenty of steam, shifting into 5th at 100 got my attention. Still kind of the original Z car, although getting dated. I read, these cost about $10,389 new, when a Corvette was another $3grand. Thing is, most of those Corvettes are still around, while you won’t find many of these. A vacuum leak nightmare, let’s count the hose clamps, eh? I highly doubt few will take this on, not when there’s some pristine one somewhere, cost no object,,,apparently.
That inline fuel filter is scaring me. I’ve had a 72 240Z, a 77 280Z and now have a 1980 280ZX 2+2 GL. Really liked the lighter 240 as a sports car and preferred the 77 for it’s AC and power accessories. But the 80 ZX is by far my favorite. Comfortable, quiet and enough power for me now. Growing older (73) the later 80ZX fits me better in many ways.
Yes, I discovered that this car has a lot of fans. I can see the appeal!
Looks pretty thrashed. I’ve owned a 240 and now a 370. Think I’ll keep looking …
Ahhhhhh, the “It ran when parked” conundrum.
Exactly how difficult is it to put jumpers on it. That statement speaks volumns……run dont walk!
Had two 280zx a 1980&81 the 80 model was a 5 speed lots of power 110 in third gear (got a ticket to prove it) fun car the 80 was a automatic much slower very hard to find parts for
Stuff the Oxford Comma. Use periods, please! It gets tedious reading and rereading these comments to figure out what’s on your mind.
I’ve always liked the Z from day one especially the 280’s models but after reading this article and realizing the parts problem I’m not sure I’d buy one today. 12k for what’s basically a parts car is not my desire for one of these for some reason.