There is no denying that tightening emission regulations during the 1970s impacted vehicle performance, and Datsun’s Z-Car range wasn’t immune. These cars could still accelerate relatively well, but the company achieved this feat by offering ever-larger versions of its L-Series six under the hood to counter falling power. The seller has taken matters into their own hands with this 1975 280Z. Gone is the six, with a Chevrolet small-block occupying the empty space. It hasn’t seen service for about a year, but it appears that its revival would be straightforward. The seller has listed the Datsun here on eBay in Temple Hills, Maryland. Bidding sits below the reserve at $5,300 off the back of some intense action.
The seller indicates that this Datsun received a repaint at some point in its original Kilimanjaro White. The company offered this shade from 1970 until 1975, making this one of the last cars to sport that color. It is unclear when the work occurred, but the presentation is still quite respectable. There are no significant imperfections, and the panels are straight. Rust can be a major bugbear with the Z-Car range, but this car’s steel penetration is limited to a small area in the battery tray. The cowl and prone spots like the hatch opening and floors have dry surface corrosion, but addressing these wouldn’t require a grinder or welder. The glass is clear, while the 16″ Panasport wheels are the first sign that there could be more to this 280Z than meets the eye.
I have long considered Datsun’s L-Series six-cylinder engines some of the most underrated in automotive history. They aren’t typically as powerful as equivalent twin-cam units, but they are as tough as nails. Datsun selected the 2.8-liter version to propel the 280Z, teaming it with a four-speed manual transmission to produce a car that could cover the ¼-mile in 16.2 seconds. That figure was considered respectable in 1975, but this car’s seller craved significantly more. They ditched the six in favor of a Chevrolet 350ci V8 of 1973 vintage. They teamed the V8 with a three-speed Turbo 350 automatic and a Posi rear end, which is a bulletproof combination. The motor wears upgrades to ints intake, carburetor, and a set of shorty headers. Therefore, it is fair to expect that it produces more than the 170hp and 177 ft/lbs of torque that would have been available from this car’s original six. That brings us to an important point to consider with this conversion. The small-block is not only more powerful than the engine it replaces, but it is also heavier. This is typically not good news. However, because its length is shorter, most of the additional mass is situated behind the front axle centerline. Therefore, the handling could conceivably be slightly better than it was originally. The seller confirms that the Datsun doesn’t currently run, and hasn’t for about a year. It isn’t all gloom and doom, because they believe that fitting the included electronic distributor and new fuel lines would cure most of its ills. There will probably be other work before the Datsun is genuinely roadworthy, but tackling those tasks to achieve perfection would be a productive way to occupy the upcoming cold months.
The second surprise with this Datsun, beyond what resides under the hood, is the condition of its interior. Trimmed in Black, it has avoided many of the issues that can plague these classics. The vinyl is in generally good order, with slight damage to the driver’s door trim the only obvious shortcoming. The seats look excellent, and the dashpad hasn’t cracked. That latter item is noteworthy because addressing the problem can be expensive. It doesn’t need a cover to hide a problem, but I would fit one to this car as cheap insurance. The factory radio has made way for a retro-style stereo, and the seller states that the air conditioning requires a recharge to blow cold.
Purists will decry the changes made to this 1975 Datsun 280Z, but it is worth noting that they aren’t irreversible if someone wishes to return it to its factory form. To say that it has generated interest is an understatement, with forty-two bids submitted and ninety-four people adding it to their Watch List. Christmas is fast approaching, and it seems that some enthusiasts intend to give themselves an early present. Are you feeling the same way?
Forget the purists. This is a great car.
Yes it is. I grew up in the SF Bay Area, in the early-80’s rust free 240 and 260 Z’s were everywhere, and inexpensive. V-8 swaps were common, 8-10 year old cars often had worn out engines, the small block Chevy swap made sense. There were 2 or 3 engine swapped Z’s at my high school. One of my friends was looking for a 240, while researching the engine swap he said a small block with headers and an aluminum intake was less than 100lbs heavier.
This car is a product of its time. There is nothing wrong with that.
Steve R
Yes it’s a great car, but it ain’t a Z-car without the third pedal.
So if it comes with a new distributor, why not put it in and get it running for some higher bids?
I’m with Howie. Will it turn over, crank, start, run off a gas can? There could be a lot more wrong. if all is as the seller says, This could be sweet. The conversion was done well and that interior is nice.
Good luck with that HEI clearance if it O-E style, look how close that cap is to hood latch,be better off per tonic conversion.
The seller says it comes with a new distributor, but never many ones HEI. There are still plenty of small body distributors still in the market.
Steve R
I had a few few friends in the 80s who had 240s and 260Zs. They were great sports cars. The original 6s had plenty of power IMO. I know a guy who did a 350 swap into a 260Z and is still dealing with wiring issues. I agree with another comment, that if the seller has a new HEI distributor why hasn’t it been installed and running? GM cars are always a pita regarding distributor, I’m sure its not much fun in this 260Z either.
Had one,the car out an in looks great,like many other comments,if they spent the time doing this,why not get it running? Be worth a lot more
Write up on eBay says no reserve and so does the listing so it’s going to a new owner. Great project if you’ve got the mechanical skills to get it running and fix all the inevitable things that will need reengineered or just replaced. Great hot rod.
It’s more than a little concern that someone did a 350 260 Datsun conversion, and it’s not running. I don’t want to buy someone else’s headaches. Unless there’s some major problems, why isnt it running?
Yank the 350 and put it on Ebay or Craigslist. Go for an LS6 since it’s less weight than the original piddly 6 banger and had 405 hp. Any problems with the old 350 SOLVED. It would be a stunning performer. While there were a lot of SBC’s installed in Z cars the LS motors put that in a whole new perspective. While you’re at it drop in a Tremec 6 speed and the entire car would be amazing. Go big or go home.
A bit more money, but I’m with you. An LS6 and trimec 6spd would be awsome. A more extreme, but cool, up grade would be the engine and transaxle from a wrecked C5 or C6 .
The transmission from a C5 or C6 won’t fit and you’d need the entire rear subframe and that won’t fit either. The rear mounted tranny in the Corvette is mounted ahead of the axle and in the Z it would be taking up room where your butt is and the car isn’t that wide. In the Corvette they had to stretch the wheelbase 5 inches relative to the C4 to get the transmission behind the seats. If you want a transaxle the Porsche/Audi unit from the 944 turbo would work but it’s not necessary, is a lot more work and the Tremec is bullet proof and not expensive.
Ever have two great lifelong friends who never really saw eye to eye? “Small block? This is Datsun Z. Datsun Z? Small Block.”
You’re left doing all the talking.
Did a conversion on a ’81 ZX. Electronics went south. 350/700R4 W/electronic ignition. A very squirrely vehicle. Perilli Gummies couldn’t hold it. I squared it of once at a after party car show, didn’t get under control until doing a 180 on the street. Not good. Told my son to be careful with it, he hit it once, up an embankment, thru a fence and around a tree. Not hurt, but luckily I had collector insurance on it. My advice, insure HEAVILY.
The 280 ZX had a very different rear suspension than this car. The ZX has semi-trailing arms and the addition of big power results in big toe changes and the rear axle is doing a lot of steering when you put down a lot of power. While it’s fine for the 6 cylinder a V8 with a torque converter makes them a nightmare. Porsche fixed that problem on the 944 turbo, but as you found out the hard way it’s not well suited to the addition of a V8 without replacing ALL the rubber in the rear suspension with poly as a starting point.
Many moons ago they used to call 240Z V8 conversions a Scarab or whatever. A custom package deal as I remember, or kits as well. Still a few out there, I hope. Does that company even exist? I would sure rather have an engineered setup than a piecemeal arrangement to sort out on the street.
There are a few threads on Z specifics forums, but they date back close to 20 years, one had contact information of an individual, but there was no mention of the business. It seems to have started in the Bay Area, Campbell, to be specific. There might be some older machine shops in that area that might have knowledge of what happened to the company. Google Scarab conversion kit and you’ll find some dated information, including a reprint of an early-80’s Hot Rod magazine article.
Jaguars that Run, (JTR) had a V8 conversion book for 240’s as well as several other makes. If you can find a used copy of any of his books, they are a good read.
Steve R
I really love the look of this car , the bones are good , so what if it doesn’t run ,my issue is the 3 speed transmission and that rear end gearing but the car is a project and its a lot better than many , a light v6 would be great too !
YOLO
A set of alloy heads would take more weight from the front end. I’d say to a point where unless you were told, you wouldn’t know the extra weight was there.
And at last the SBC’s rear distributor makes sense!
Sold for $7800. Somebody got a heck of a deal.
Woulda been neat with a 1-UZ Lexus V8 and a manual transmission swap! 👍🏻🙂