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1978 Datsun 280 Z
This car was recently purchased from a private estate sale. It was owned and driven by a gentleman in Paris, Texas the majority of its life. I don't have a complete owner history, but found documents in the car dating from 1986 to 2006 showing the same owner. This is absolutely a survivor, original car with one repaint of the original light blue. It displays all original body panels and interior in good to excellent conditon. The thing that really impresses me about this car is the original flooring, sheetmetal, trunk, etc. in excellent condition. There are NO rust repairs on this car, it is simply a dry climate Texas Datsun 280 Z. Not many of these cars are left in this kind of condition. I have owned 5 Z cars and this is by far the best yet.
Close inspection of the exterior confirm this to be an unmolsted original. The body panels are straight throughout. All of the original glass is intact including the windshield and rear defogger glass. All glass is good to excellent. All of the original exterior stainless and side molding is intact, including the plastic side molding inserts.
Look closely and you can see that the right rear bumper is tweaked slightly. Otherwise, all bumper chrome and guards show well. The front bumper has provisions for towing. It appears this car was towed behind an RV, another indicator of the low mileage.
The body panels are straight and original throughout this car. The tires have been replaced with nice Cooper Cobra radials.
Notice the chip on the left headlight bezel above. The paint isn't perfect, but in very good condition. I chose not to touch a thing, so you can see any flaws.
Look to the left in the above photo to see a few hairline paint cracks on the hood.
Underneath the doors it is excellent. I have inspected this car on a vehicle lift and was very pleased to find excellent original flooring throughout. Also the rockers are in great shape.
Notice at the rocker panel seam, you can see a bit of rust there, very minimal, less than erased sized. The wheel wells and all areas are excellent.
The seating is original and remarkable. Actually, the interior is completely original in this car. All of the factory gauges are working, including the clock. The air conditioning works too, the lines get cold and the compressor comes on, but the interior fans squirrel cage needs to be replaced to blow the cold air. The original cassette stereo works too, but the power antenna is not working. The carpeting is original, the rear carpeting has been removed. The doorpanels are excellent, the headliner is intact, and the interior panels are in good condition. The original dash has the typical 4 or 5 hairline cracks in it. The center console lid is broken and needs to be replaced or the backing repaired. The vinyl is in good shape. All of the weatherstrip on this car is intact as well.
The engine is original and doesn't look to have ever been rebuilt. It is turn-key and runs good. It holds strong oil pressure. The spark plugs and wires have recently been replaced along with a new fuel pump, filter, and lines. The engine compartment wears the original paint throughout, displaying an excellent firewall and inner fenders with no rust. The little flip up doors along the hood also show the original finish underneath, and an exceptional battery tray area. The original breather and tubing is intact.
The 5 speed manual transmission shifts out great in every gear including reverse. The clutch works properly. This is a car that can be driven, however underneath the car it is completely original and unrestored- this includes all original suspension and components. The car runs and drives good now, but replacement bushings are in order to make this a daily driver. The car runs good in the Texas heat and hasn't overheated. I drove it 40 miles through Dallas to my home. It steers good and the brakes work properly. You can drive this car home, but I wouldn't want to drive it an extended trip, say across country. It is 30 years old.
The rear hatch area is remarkably clean. The interior panels show well. Underneath the hatch panel is the complete original tool kit with bag, lugnuts, original spare, inflator, and the original tool inventory sheet and wheel stops, wow! The trunk pan is perfect and yes, all of the paint is original. This car has not been exposed to the elements. Pay close attention to the condition of the flooring in the following undercarriage pictures. You will not find a better Z undercarriage. The wheel wells are excellent as well.
Be sure to play each video clip above. All of these photos and videos were taken by me, Sam, on Saturday, June 28th, 2008. I am selling this car at NO RESERVE. I want ever Z enthusiast to have an opportunity to own this special 280 Z, so bid early and often, the highest bidder will win this car Sunday night! View my feedback and Power seller status, bid with confidence. This 280Z is at my home in Terrell, Texas and available to be seen by appointment. Feel free to email me through Ebay or phone me, Sam, direct at 972-748-6389 with any further questions.
On Jun-29-08 at 22:28:44 PDT, seller added the following information:
I've received 3 phone calls so far asking for a buy it now price. This is a no reserve auction, HIGH BIDDER WINS THE CAR. I will not end the auction early, please bid what you will pay for the car. I feel like the car sells itself and will bring what its worth. I appreciate the interest, but I will not end the auction early. If you have any other questions, let me know. Thanks again.- Sam
On Jul-01-08 at 05:56:26 PDT, seller added the following information:
ATTENTION 0 FEEDBACK USERS- EMAIL OR CALL ME PRIOR TO PLACING A BID. THANK YOU- Sam
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