Datsun 280z...am I mad!!

jaginsligo

Hi guys,
First time to post here. I'm a bit of a car nut but have never owned a classic car or I haven't done any restoration. A neighbour of mine has a classic (not sure of year) Datsun 280z which he used for a while but is now parked in a hay shed for the last 2 years. I know chatting to him I could get it for about €1800, before it was parked up it was running fine and all items were working. There are 2 bits of rust on the door sills, but it is sealed underneath.

I really like this car and am really tempted to buy it and bring it to shows and maybe even use it during the summer. I have a couple of issues, 1. I don't have a garage to store it, I do have access to another hayshed and was thinking of putting it there and buying a proper cover for it for the winter.
2. even though I like cars I haven't worked on one. I don't have many tools but do have space to store them.
I have 2 young boys, one who also likes cars and I would like to see us working on the car and bringing it to car shows during the summer.
My thoughts are at this price (he owns a small garage and will get it road worthy before sale) that even in 5 years time it would be worth the same kind of money (not that I plan to sell it)

Am I mad, should I just forget it and stop dreaming. Are these cars reliable? Are they easy to work on for a novice?

Your thoughts please

dharn

Dont know, I like the look of them but I would think all nissans from that era are very rust prone, you dont see many of them any mor so it probably means they are all rotten

mike65

Its not even the right Z car ! - 240 or 260 are the ones to get but then they cost a lot more in decent nick.

Anything like this is not to be taken on lightly - do your research -check dedicated Z car websites

http://datsunzgarage.com/probs/index.htm

http://www.zcar.com/

http://www.zcar.com/forum/10-70-83-tech-discussion-forum/

http://www.zcar.com/forum/10-70-83-tech-discussion-forum/124425-what-look-when-buying-78-280z.html

Tzar Chasm

Ger it checked out by a mechanic. If its in reasonable condition, Buy it.

hell if you dont want it I might be in a position to purchase it soon.

Dades

jaginsligo wrote: »

My thoughts are at this price (he owns a small garage and will get it road worthy before sale) that even in 5 years time it would be worth the same kind of money (not that I plan to sell it)

If it's a post-1979 car I'd suggest make it passing the NCT a condition of sale. No use in having something deemed "roadworthy" by a previous owner if the NCT take one look and give you a list as long as your arm before you can drive it.

On the other hand, if the description is honest and the car is sound then don't be afraid to pursue it. Just don't buy it on the vendors own word.

Pics would help a lot in assessing the true state here.

eugenekehoe

Mike that's not necessarily true the 280z is the same car as the 260z the most desirable of these cars are the early 240z, two seater short wheel base. Then you have the 260/280z main difference is the engine size 2.6/2.8 and the 280z had bigger bumper kit for the American market. These cars are 2+2 and longer than the 240z. Then in 1979 the 280zx was released these are a different shape a mix between the 240z and 300zx but not as popular at all..... What year is the 280?? if you can find out the year this will give you an indication of the model and spec that it is. The late 280z's were fitted with bosch fuel injection alot more reliable then than the carbs but some don't like this now for restoration as there is alot to go wrong after 30 years with the electrics.....

If you need any info send me a message and I'll try and steer you in the right direction there is also some panels available for these still reasonably enough

jaginsligo

Thanks Eugene, i'll get the year in the next few days and send it on to you, you might be able to help me make a decision

kfog

eugenekehoe wrote: »

Mike that's not necessarily true the 280z is the same car as the 260z the most desirable of these cars are the early 240z, two seater short wheel base. Then you have the 260/280z main difference is the engine size 2.6/2.8 and the 280z had bigger bumper kit for the American market. These cars are 2+2 and longer than the 240z. Then in 1979 the 280zx was released these are a different shape a mix between the 240z and 300zx but not as popular at all.....

This is true for US cars, outside the US the 260Z was made until 1978/9 and replaced with the 280zx which is not as desireable as the earlier Z cars. This does make them more affordable.

Most important thing to look for is rust, door sills, boot lid, all the usual spots, don't be afraid to pull back the carpets to check the floors.
Most parts for these cars are still easily got with plenty of suppliers in the UK.

SpitfireIV

jaginsligo wrote: »

Hi guys,
First time to post here. I'm a bit of a car nut but have never owned a classic car or I haven't done any restoration. A neighbour of mine has a classic (not sure of year) Datsun 280z which he used for a while but is now parked in a hay shed for the last 2 years. I know chatting to him I could get it for about €1800, before it was parked up it was running fine and all items were working. There are 2 bits of rust on the door sills, but it is sealed underneath.

I really like this car and am really tempted to buy it and bring it to shows and maybe even use it during the summer. I have a couple of issues, 1. I don't have a garage to store it, I do have access to another hayshed and was thinking of putting it there and buying a proper cover for it for the winter.
2. even though I like cars I haven't worked on one. I don't have many tools but do have space to store them.
I have 2 young boys, one who also likes cars and I would like to see us working on the car and bringing it to car shows during the summer.
My thoughts are at this price (he owns a small garage and will get it road worthy before sale) that even in 5 years time it would be worth the same kind of money (not that I plan to sell it)

Am I mad, should I just forget it and stop dreaming. Are these cars reliable? Are they easy to work on for a novice?

Your thoughts please

Hi. I'm currently mid way through a complete nut and bolt restoration of a '71 Spitfire, its my very first classic car rebuild, been at it a little over a month now. I'm new to it, but viewed many old Brit classics in my search (Triumphs and MG's) and learned a few things along the way so I'll pass on some advice if its of any use to you.....

A car, like mine, may look 'good' on the surface but once you start poking at a small patch of rust it starts to become an even bigger patch of rust. Filler can hide a LOT!! Hell, I think one of the previous owners of my car must have been an artist, or surely some kind of stonemason, there was a 1/2" of filler in places perfectly contoured and formed to the curve of the wheel arches etc. Under this filler in areas was patches, patches upon patches and the remains of old war wounds.

Again, my one looked the part but, it had bodged repair work done in the past, new sills stuck on over the remains of old sills, inner and mid sills not welded in correctly or poorly aligned, again, this wasnt apparent until I started stripping it down.

Now, I had a fair idea of what I was getting, I knew I was buying a project car that was going to need a lot of work; I had very little experience with metal working etc, but, I have a woodworkshop and have the skills from years of working with timber and tools to carry across into the car restoration (attention to detail, marking & cutting correctly etc etc) I am also fortunate in that I have a neighbour whom is a very proficient mechanic and more importantly for this project; can weld!

If theres rust then by right panels need to be replaced entirely, or, if you can get away with it, replaced with new metal patches! To do this correctly you need to be a dab hand at the welding, MIG ideally.....this isnt something you can pick up over night. I can arc weld, but just cant MIG, its not easy and certainly not easy to do right! Do you know someone who can weld?


Go take a very close look at the car, pull it out into day light! Bring a magnet with you, nothing too strong, just a small magnet and run it along the sills, the arches; youre checking for filler! If the magnet doesnt stick, theres no metal! Look up into the wheel arches, use your hands, check for patches. Pull back the carpet inside, check the floor pans! The car might be undersealed, but, underseal can hide a multitude of sins!! Have a look at the inside surfaces.



Not trying to put you off, but, just making you aware of what you may be getting into :P But, never the less its fun, can be extremely frustrating but, the end result (I keep telling myself) will be totally worth it!!

jaginsligo

Thanks Croppy boy, luckily I know a guy who can wig weld, but as you advise I think the important thing is to have a good "poke around"
As mentioned I havent under taken this kind of work before but I do like working with my hands (when I get the chance, I work with computers everyday) and I would say I am good on detail

SpitfireIV

jaginsligo wrote: »

Thanks Croppy boy, luckily I know a guy who can wig weld, but as you advise I think the important thing is to have a good "poke around"
As mentioned I havent under taken this kind of work before but I do like working with my hands (when I get the chance, I work with computers everyday) and I would say I am good on detail

One things for certain, its a learning experience and people tell me that once you do one you'll want more; at this stage, I dont know, but, its fun and all the more so if you can get your boys involved!

But yeah, have a good close inspection and dont let your heart rule your head, if its too much work, or needs too much money putting back into it and cant be got at a price that reflects this then walk! Theres plenty of other deals out there

jaginsligo

Its 1980 280zx
Will this be fuel injected or carbs?

Thanks

kev1.3s

jaginsligo wrote: »

Its 1980 280zx
Will this be fuel injected or carbs?

Thanks

That will be the less desireable shaped car and will be fuel injected. Still a very nice motor so don't let that put you off.
I guess the only advice I can tell you is that you'll only get out of it what you put in, a lot of guys go into vintage car ownership with rose tinted glasses, I've even heard of a guy who bought a project started the rebuild before finally seeing the task was far grater than taught so farmed the work out to someone else only to find at the end that it wasn't didn't drive as he expected and sold it on.
I actually bought my car as a hobby to share with my son who as it turns out has no interest it's my daughter who gets excited about it now.
Should be ready for the road soon.

Jayo_M

Go for it. Not the most desirable Z by any means, but you're not going to get an early Z for that sort of money! In terms of reliability, they're probably about as reliable as any 80s sports car, so it can be a bit hit and miss.

I think they've the fuel injected L28 in them.

If you don't buy it, pass me on the details please? If you do buy it, I'd love to see it anyway

Dades

jaginsligo wrote: »

Its 1980 280zx

NCT required!

It's just a paperweight if it won't pass one so it Might be an idea to get the vender to put it through the test before you buy it so then at least you'll know what needs to be done and if it's huge work.