1975 Datsun 280z???

[marximus]

Hell All,
I Just Wanted To Get Your Opinion On The Datsun 280z Around 1975. Is It A Good Car? Run Well? I Have A Chance To Buy One That Runs For $600. It Would Be A Perfect Fixer Upper. I Love The Look Of It, But I Dont Know A Whole Lot About Them. Give Me Info/opinions Please. Thanks!
Mark-

[SGT.BATGUANO]

Check it thoroughly for rust or hidden rust

[thebear54]

I had one and they are Awsome...a pocket rocket! Only problems I encountered was the "recycled steel"...they rot while you look at it(from the inside out). I also had a Datsun 2000 convertible(the last year before they brought out the 240Z. Mechanically these cars are great but the bodies don't hold up worth a damn.
John

[Maverick]

havent had one myself, but my sister had a 240z, and a good freind of mine had a later 280zx ..awesome cars..but as said above, some massive rust issues.. in fact, the 280 was found to have floor board repairs. the only problem was they were done with DUCT tape and heavy cardboard, then sprayed with undercoating to hide it.. but at least it was "good" duct tape.. :lol:

[V-Twin hiCROSS]

In my younger days, I owned an '82 280zx. Awesome car, you would not believe how well they handle in the snow!! Very agile and sturdy frame. I wrecked mine into a concrete center divider at 130 MPH, and it still started up fine. It wasn't driveable, but me and my buddy both walked away unscathed. Fun car to drive. They do sell aftermarket replacement body parts if you really wanted to restore it right.

[WormGod]

Whatever you do, search EXTENSIVELY for rust. Early years of Datsun were clearly a year that Datsun did not know much about rust prevention. I have worked on quite a few in my restoration career and they take the cake for the "Most Rustworthy Automobile".

They can be fast little buggers though. Lots of fun.

[Tyler]

Had a 79 280ZX 19 years ago, I agree with the above. MAJOR rust, rear fender wells were the worst (basicly gone). Ended up replacing with fiberglass quartes and front fender. Ran like a bat out of hell though (130+).

[marximus]

thanks for the info!
i dont believe it had that much rust last i looked, but i didnt have time to really look at it well. im going to check it out in a couple days, and ill be sure to look for rust. i like to hear that they are fun to drive!
thanks again,
mark-

[Offroad vx]

The first car I owned was a '76 280z 2+2 Fast, fun, gave my upper body a workout (no power steering). 2 cars later '81 300zx turbo. Die hard Z fan and for $600. not much concern about rust. Buy it and have fun!

[marximus]

i agree!
thank you!

[NJVX]

OK, FRAME RAIL ROT. Check the bottom of the front frame rails in the engine compartment. I had a 240Z around 74. and they rotted out on me and I had to get rid of the car. The inline 6 is a fast and strong motor. See what carb/carbs it has. I swapped out the singles for a holley 4 barrel. The thing really moved. They can be really nice once restored.

[marximus]

well, turns out it was a datsun 280z 2+2, four seater. the rust was minimul on the frail, the engine ran great, shifted beautifully, and threw me in my seat, so i got her. it needs new paint, so im going to work on that first. the story was that it was in a guys garage for 15 years before being sold to the seller. it only had 3,500 miles on it 1998 as records show, but the last owner ran the miles up to 100,000. the bottom of the seats need to be reupolstered too. i will sure have fun with it though! thanks for all the advice!
mark-