The Datsun Z-cars have long held a special place in the hearts of enthusiasts, blending affordable performance with timeless styling. Today, finding a solid example of a 240Z or 280Z has become increasingly difficult due to rust issues and rising demand. That makes this 1976 Datsun 280Z, listed here on craigslist in Annapolis, Maryland, a compelling project candidate. The seller describes it as a total restoration project that’s already been dismantled and mounted on a rolling rotisserie, making it ideal for someone serious about building a Z-car from the ground up. Thanks for the tip Mitchell G.!
According to the seller, the car was essentially solid when it was torn down, with the intention of upgrading its systems for improved reliability and performance. The engine reportedly ran well before disassembly, showing good oil pressure and compression. It is a 4-speed manual car, and the clutch, suspension, cooling, and electrics were all said to be in good working order. Currently, the engine is sitting separately on a stand, and the transmission is removed.
The good news for potential buyers is that the usual rust issues that plague vintage Z-cars appear to be minimal here. The seller acknowledges some surface rust but nothing that sounds catastrophic, which is remarkable for a nearly 50-year-old Datsun. The fact that this 280Z spent much of its life in California certainly helps explain its better-than-average condition. With the car completely stripped down and all body panels removed, any prospective restorer can get a clear view of what they’re working with before committing to the project.
The 280Z is described as having been light blue in color and comes with a set of alloy wheels. The original body lines remain among the most attractive of the 1970s sports car era, and this blank canvas offers the next owner the opportunity to restore it to stock or create a tastefully upgraded version with modern performance enhancements.
With demand for early Z-cars continuing to climb, many enthusiasts are now taking on projects that would have been passed over years ago. This example, already mounted on a rotisserie that allows full articulation and access, is especially well-suited to a thorough restoration. While not a project for the inexperienced, it could be the ideal starting point for a dedicated Z enthusiast who wants to build a 280Z their way.
Would you restore this 280Z back to its original factory condition, or modify it into a higher-performance restomod?
This car looks good enough to bring back to stock with possibly reverting to earlier car bumpers. Everything there, just put it back together.
We sure about that? And how much of that pile of 50-year-old stuff do we want to reinstall?
We sure about that? And how much of those 50-year-old parts do we want to reinstall?
If you haven’t seen the series on YouTube by My Mechanic, it’s worth checking out. This guy is an artist with a machine shop. Incredible work. https://youtu.be/B13vXFj37RI
Let’s see how the removed parts are cataloged and stored. This could pose quite a treasure hunt. The buyer has no idea how anything worked or its serviceability, and maybe even where it is and how complete it is. Quite a learning curve.
Looks like a decent project candidate. I have an identical ‘76 in the same color that’s a really nice 5 speed and it’s a pleasure to drive. These are great cars.
I would say the only real good advice I got from the CL ad was “a real Z person’ should be the buyer, to put this back together. I bought a car in buckets and it’s not fun sometimes when the ability to take something apart, bag n tag and take pix for the reassembly is not afforded to the new owner. I agree with the audience that pending the catalog method used for the parts, this could be a real PITA project vs a great deal. I hope the person was detail oriented and not a pile maker. Regardless, good luck to the new owner.
Perhaps the best use for this is to finish stripping the hull and acid-dip the whole thing and use the rust-free hull to transfer parts from an intact rustbucket.
A perfect candidate for an injection of vitamin LS6, or the NISMO engine and 6 speed tranny out of a newer 370Z car (370 hp) if you want to keep it all in the Nissan family. Both of those motors weigh a bunch less than the 6 that you’re removing and you’re moving the CG aft at the same time. The 280, while not as light as the earlier 240’s, are a good bit stronger chassis and aren’t as valued as the early cars by the Z crowd. With either of those motors the front end weight is going to be lower than an early 240, so you end up with the more lively handing of the early cars and a lot more excitement under your right foot. For what it is I think the price is pretty fair. Nismo 370 motors with a six speed are $4200 on ebay so you’d have less than 10 grand in the major parts or maybe $15k plus paint so you won’t lose money on it if you do it right. Yes it’s a lot of work, but if you’re going to do it this is one of the nicest starting places that I’ve seen in a good while.