I’ve long advocated long-term ownership as a desirable quality for anyone searching for a classic to add to their collection. Most cars that have spent decades in the custody of the same person will have been treated respectfully, and it also brings a desirable known history to the table. That is the case with this 1983 Datsun 280ZX. It is an unmolested survivor passed from the original owner to his daughter. The time has come for it to head to new pastures, with the seller listing it here on eBay in Yuma, Colorado. Bidding currently sits below the reserve at $6,106, with time remaining for interested parties to pursue it further.
Datsun launched the 280ZX in 1978 as the successor to its highly-acclaimed 240Z/260Z/280Z models. The new model was bigger and heavier than its predecessors, and its luxury equipment transformed it from a genuine sports car to something akin to a traditional Grand Tourer. The original owner purchased this car off the showroom floor in Greeley, Colorado. He drove it regularly before passing it to his daughter. She continued that trend until it recently found its way to this dealer. It is an original survivor wearing Dark Brown Metallic paint that shines impressively. If there are any flaws, they are too minor to show in the limited number of supplied photos. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and I can see no evidence of rust. This photo reveals the panels removed for the T-Top, and the lack of moisture inside the car indicates the seals are healthy. The trim shows no evidence of damage or UV deterioration, while the glass and alloy wheels appear perfect.
Many cars from the 1970s and early 1980s developed a reputation for crumbling interior trim as manufacturers grappled with the complex science of producing UV-resistant plastic. The 280ZX was no exception, although this interior is better than some. There is visible discoloring on some components, but nothing appears ready to turn to dust in a hurry. The upholstered surfaces are free from rips and tears, although there may be some seat fading. The dash looks excellent, and there are no aftermarket additions. The factory stereo occupies its rightful place, with the new owner also receiving air conditioning, power windows, a tilt wheel, a rear defogger, and cruise control. Combine these factors, and you appreciate why the 280ZX can be an effective long-distance cruiser.
The seller supplies no engine photos, but the interior shots reveal an important positive attribute. The original owner decided to forego the three-speed automatic transmission in favor of the five-speed manual unit. The impact proves to be profound when we examine the car’s engine and performance potential. Hiding under the enormous hood is a fuel-injected 2,753cc six that sends 145hp and 156 ft/lbs of torque via that five-speed to the rear wheels. That combination allows the 2,859 lb Datsun to cover the ¼-mile in 16.8 seconds on the way to 127mph. Had the original owner followed the auto path, top speed would have dropped marginally, but the ¼-mile ET would have ballooned to a leisurely 18 seconds. The seller says the car has a genuine 87,000 miles on the clock but fails to mention verifying evidence. However, the ownership history means such evidence may exist. They supply no information on how the 280ZX runs or drives, but the rugged nature of the mechanical components means the news should be positive.
This 1983 Datsun 280ZX has generated enough interest to attract twenty-one bids, which is unsurprising considering its condition and originality. We could speculate on the seller’s reserve, but a spot of detective work may have uncovered a clue. I found another listing for the car with a price of $18,500, which is probably close to the mark. Of course, if the reserve is lower, that might prove to be a welcome bonus for potential buyers. If you are searching for a Japanese classic, monitoring this auction could be worth the effort.
Was there really a time when we thought brown was a good exterior color for a sports car?! Unfortunately yes. But not for me.
Triumph TR6 looked great in “brown”.
I think Chevy still offers brown on the Corvette.
I think Chevy still offers brown on the Corvette.
it preformed like it looks a big long turd !!!!!
Looks like the hood is smashed. Apparently it’s not.
I know laughing, I had to study it first. :D
Zoom in. It’s a reflection of trees.
UPS brown
Blast from the past! Peak brown was probably 1977-80. How many Porsches, Corvettes, Trans Ams, and Z28s did you see in dark brown back in those years? A lot.
It had started to fall out of favor but there were still plenty of dark brown performance cars in 1983. I believe it was still a somewhat popular color for the Trans Am, Z28, RX7 and Porsche 928.
If you told me to picture a sports car from the 80s, this is the image that would come to mind. The color, the t tops, the pseudo-naca duct placed asymmetrically, the wheels, and the combo of some chrome and some flat black trim.
A tech at the dealership I worked in the summer of 83 bought one of these new. The other guys really hazed him over it. Most of them were Italian muscle car guys and a little foreign car was not respected. But it ran like a sewing machine, wasn’t temperamental and was small but comfortable.
I still hold out that the 280 looks sort of disco and overproduced compared to the original 240s. But it was the 80s and the care reflected the era. I remember riding in it and feeling like I was going to break something if I touched it. My impression (which could be wrong) is that there were a million buttons, knobs and trim pieces, all of which were tiny and felt delicate to the touch. I particularly remember the equalizer for the radio having something like 16 sliders instead of a treble and bass control.
Cool nostalgia piece, probably pretty reliable. Hope someone buys it and dailys it.
As a previous owner of the 260Z, these were not very fast at all as one would expect. They were really nice to travel in with adequate room for two people’s luggage in the back. But as far as comfort, they delivered quite friendly, they were made for a tall person as big as 6′ 4”. I’m 6′ 2” and didn’t even use the full seat’s back extension. Carburetor seals were also a major problem with these too.
I had this same car in black. Cool car but it was the slowest car I’ve ever owned.
If memory serves, ’83 was the last year of the 280. My mother and stepfather had a 300ZX, which I think was the first year with that number. Except for the refreshed body style which looked more like an evolution of the 280 than a total redesign, their car was the same as this one: Color scheme, T-top panels, manual-shift, and all the creature-comforts that could be had in a ZX in the ’80s. I remember the clutch of that car being so sensitive, I could barely handle it…and I already had experience with my mother’s 240Z, which she still had at the time.
Fast-forward to today, those cars are long-gone, the only car she has now being a 2006 Mustang GT ‘vert my stepfather special-ordered that year, four years before he died. After his death she rarely drove it, claiming it was too much car for her. I recently got acquainted with it, reviving it after three years dormant in the garage. The door-panel overlays had separated and drooped down, but I was able to glue them back up. The only other things it needed were battery and tires; even the gas in the tank was still usable! The story of this ZX is so similar to that of my mother’s Mustang, even to the point of passing on down the family, as she wants me to take delivery of it. The odo reading is a confirmed 21,000, most of those miles from my stepfather. It’s cool to see that my situation isn’t unique in this regard.
Yesterday I saw a guy driving a 300ZX that looked like this one. Maroon with the T-Tops off. He had a huge smile on his face and was enjoying a NH sunny day.
Also saw an Allante with the top down.
Ended at $9,100, Reserve No Met.