35 years in the garage! That’s impressive by most any standards, but that’s how long the seller of this 1977 Datsun 280Z claims this project car has been locked up for. The 280Z looks just about perfect as far as garage finds go, being perfectly entombed by the detritus of life and misplaced ambition. The seller notes his car is an actual two-seater and not the less desirable 2+2 model. Find it here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000.
When I first saw the asking price, I felt it was a touch ambitious, but when factoring in the two-seater setup and the relatively clean condition inside, it might be a fair ask. I judge cars by their interiors in many cases, for if the inside is a mess, it seems likely other areas are, too. And while you expect the exterior to look somewhat tired after years in a dusty garage, logic would indicate there’s a decent chance it will clean up well once removed if the inside of the car looks to be intact – and this Z car’s interior looks quite promising.
The engine bay is neither clean nor a horror show; it simply looks old and in need of a detailing. More encouraging is the consistent paint from the outside fenders to the inside, with what I would assume to be original paint throughout. The seller notes the engine last ran 35 years ago, so it would seem he is sticking with the story that the Z hasn’t moved an inch in over three decades; the 81,832 miles on the clock are believed to be original.
In the Datsun Z hierarchy, a later 280Z isn’t the most desirable specimen. But when it has just two seats, some fans of the sports car model may forgive the sins that came with the later production years. The rear bumper is missing, which isn’t a bad thing considering how ugly the U.S.-spec safety bumpers were, so perhaps there’s an overseas option that would look better anyway. The seller has amended the listing to note he needs time to remove the junk around the car, so put your name on the list if this 280Z catches your eye.
All it needs is a pressure washer clean inside and out and a battery, eh? Wouldn’t put that kind of money in anything like this one. Might change my mind if it was outside with decent pictures of it.
Would it be legal to remove those bumpers? I’m all for safety but those things are just weird.
Don’t know the answer to that question, but if you converted back to the early chrome bumpers there isn’t a cop in the country who would know the difference. Have seen many conversions back to early bumpers.
the fed ended the rule for the safety bumpers so it is no longer enforceable. however some states safety and emissions inspections are “equipment” based, which means if it was there from the start it has to be there for inspection. think of the 80’s a.i.r. tubes on the exhaust manifolds.
by the same token like bobhess said, what cop or dot guy would question it.
What was the cause of the car being put up for three decades in the first place? Is the engine ceased at all?
Definitely would be a fun car to play around with and get running if it fell in my lap..I bet that interior would clean up real nice with some elbow grease (and a hazmat suit). Looks nice and original GLWTA
Its in Pennsylvania so you definitely need to get it on a lift and look underneath I can smell the mice and mold from here
Own a 77 in the early 80s really fun car. Got it up to 145 mph.
Must have had a hell of a tailwind. I would need a silk scarf and some saki before attempting that. “Tora Tora Tora”
I cannot speak for the 280Z, but a stock 280ZX was really running out of breath as it crossed 120 mph in 4th gear. 5th gear didn’t have enough torque to keep it there. (flat ground measurements, no head or tailwind, driver and navigator, well maintained car, only a few years old)
I owned a new 280z in January 1977.I drove it to 145 several times. I had a blast. It started to rust in a couple of years.
Your nap over ???!!?? Lol
Those who dislike the ’73-78 corvette front bumper, feast your eyes on the one above.
At least the Corvette bumpers look attached to the car. I thought the Datsun bumper had been taken off the car.
I had a 79, 85, and an 87…the good Ole days!
No mention of tetanus shots or penicillin included to counter the rust and whatever that is growing inside.
If it’s that corroded on top, the front frame rails are toast.
This is nothing more than a parts car.
Looks like the terms “storage” or “stored” leave plenty of room for interpretation.
I’m in the process of getting a 260Z back on the road after 10 years of sitting. Who ever buys this should be prepared to replace everything with any rubber. That means the brake and clutch hydraulic systems. It will NOT be a simple matter of cleaning it up and getting a battery.
Sitting this long, you’re bang on. It will likely need everything. Soup to nuts.
The “nuts” who bid on this will certainly be in the “soup”
So you’re saying it won’t go 145mph??
That about how fast I’d haul it to a salvage yard before it infected me or anyone else.
If I was ridiculously wealthy, and I mean RIDICULOUSLY WEALTHY and I bought this Z, the very first thing I would do is take an acetylene torch to that hidioferous front bumper and sell it for scrap. Good god that thing is ugly. It completely ruins the once beautiful lines of one of Japans’ first beautiful sports cars. The next thing I’d do is find the world’s most talented Z restoration artist and pay them the many tens of thousands of dollars it would take to get it back to respectability, because the average shade tree mechanic ain’t gonna have what it takes to bring this one back to life. A late 70’s Z that’s spent its life in Pennsylvania? Take it from someone who grew up there, and don’t. I’d bet a year’s salary that car is rusted in places you can’t even get to, let alone the fragile front frame rails and floor pans. I’ve not yet seen a Japanese car from the 70’s that spent its life in PA that wasn’t hopelessly rotted through, unless it spent every single winter in a climate controlled garage. I’m with whoever said it earlier- unless it turns out to be rust free, this is a parts car. I can’t even imagine the fungus that’s growing in that bloody filthy interior. But that’s how far our hobby has fallen- the owner will probably get his five thousand dollars from someone with more money than sense. Breaks my heart to see it in such poor shape.
Seller states: “Stored 35 years in a garage. One of those rare fabled finds that you only hear about from some guy whose cousin found it or read about it in a car magazine.”
Rare fabled find? Sounds like he might be talking about something like a Porsche pre-A, or a 60’s Lambo or maybe a Lancia Stratos, not a Datsun.
Boy, those HUUUGE bumpers are SOOO UGLY.
I’ve got a 76 280Z with 350 original miles on it. It has never had lisence plates installed, and still has original trip permit in the rear window. Garaged it’s entire life.
Holy cow! I don’t think I could have a car like that and not drive it at every opportunity. Yours is probably worth some dough.
Very decent body and everything important looks to be there. Missing rear bumper suggests it was hit in rear. Obviously not catastrophically. But the bumper not included means it was dented. Perhaps something going on with the mounts. Maybe why it was parked. But I see a lot of oil gunk in that engine bay. To the right buyer it’s an excellent candidate for a full restoration after cleaning it up and flushing everything. Get it running to understand compression etc. Oil in the clutch plate probably worn down (another reason it may have been parked… anyone remember what driving a slipping clutch plate is like? You really can’t drive it properly. May be the valve cover gasket was leaking and it kept getting driven anyway. Bad clutch bad brakes etc to the point it got parked by the same driver not keeping up with maintenance. Which probably results in total restoration. Compared to overpriced flimsy new cars that know if you’re wearing a blue or red shirt today and what fast food you eat, I’ll take an old analog car any day. I doubt I’ll ever buy a new car again until some company understands we prefer payments without Big Brother onboard. OBD can be done without the wifi and spycams.