1978 Datsun 280Z

[niterida]

That looks like a good score - bet you'll be going over this one with a fine tooth comb !!

Good Luck and I hope it is as good as it looks and you can screw the price down to something that you will be happy to pay.

[lewist123]

Yikes that front bumper looks 'orrible!

Good luck with the new start to this project.

[madaboutrallying]

hi would be very intrested in z car i could collect with trailer , at the weekend please tell 07702 286 889 many thanks
regards mark

[camerashy]

Mark

Send me a PM, I'm in Canada so if you're genuinely interested, explain yourself via pm as in...what you're after, the whole shebang, just the shell, all the other parts on the build thread etc.



Cheers
James.

[camerashy]

New Z car purchased

[Mamba]

You've definitely had some setbacks on the way. Here's hoping for much better luck with the new car Fingers crossed for ya mate!

I liked both renders, i only wish i could do the same for my project too! But, personally the stripped out Retro Rocket appeals to me more

[camerashy]

Lacking in photos as I totally forgot my camera...(realised it as soon as I got into Toronto and was basically kicking myself for it)

One 1978 280z complete with...

• Worn out shifter bushing so it pops out of reverse
  
• Leaking coolant pipes (assorted)
  
• Ghetto fabulous wheels
  
• Awful paint respray
  
• Exhaust tip the size of my head
  
• *those* bumpers
  
• Dried out seals on...everything.
  
• Somewhat distorted (cloudy) rear view mirror.
  
• Ghetto rewire for ignition key - no-one could try and hotwire this car if they tried, the wires are like a box of snakes
  
• Dirty drum brakes
  
• Duff clutch cylinder
  
• Bungee cord holding the battery down
  
• Leaking master brake cylinder
  
• Leaking sump gasket
  
• Near non-existent rear mustache bar bushings...infact all the bushings are near non existent.
  
• Every lock has a different key
  

But...

• It pulled like a train
  
• Engine and transmission seem VERY solid
  
• No knocking from the diff/rear diff mount
  
• All the 'electrics' work - there are no 'electronics' here
  
• Interior was...surprisingly good condition
  
• Could be road legal in under 48 hours at a push, but I've given the guy three weeks to sort it (I have other life stuff in the way)
  
• Excepting the surface rust on the roof, it's possibly the most solid unrestored Z I have ever seen, went over this for 2 hours with a screwdriver and a fridge magnet...did not want a repeat of last time
  

2.8 Litres of Straight 6. ....170 horses...33 years ago.

So there you have it. A review of my 'new' Z, taxed, insured, road legal and to be home and dry by August 21st.

[niterida]

Thats AWESOME

well apart from those bumpers anyway

good luck with this new baby - hope she is as solid as she looks.

[TurboDieselWeasel]

Good news! Looks like things turn out better this time.

I'm assuming you'r going to get rid of those bumpers? ;D

Cheers,
Jan

[camerashy]

The bumpers are the 5mph 'safety' kind, they'll be removed and replaced with the 240Z kind. The seller owns a garage of his own and it was going to be his project car and he's asked if ever I sell it that I give him first refusal (too busy to build it himself with family etc). The seller wasn't kidding when he said he spent 4 years looking for a clean one, the quantity of salt on Canadian roads EATS cars, literally, 2009 Mazda 3's will have rusted arches purely because of the sheer volume of salt they put down here after they plow the snow. I can't quite put into words the sound of a properly running L28, it's beautiful.

The first project could turn out fine if someone has time, but emigrating/new job/the lengthy and expensive process of importing vehicles here made it simply an impossibility. It's going to be an interesting project, being that it's my daily driver now

[Mamba]

Seeing as it's going to be your daily driver now are you still going to go for the full stripped down machine or are you sticking with the style and going for a bit more practical inside?

[camerashy]

Aug 2, 2011 20:00:16 GMT Mamba said:

Seeing as it's going to be your daily driver now are you still going to go for the full stripped down machine or are you sticking with the style and going for a bit more practical inside?

Answer:

[Mamba]

Aug 2, 2011 20:17:34 GMT camerashy said:

Aug 2, 2011 20:00:16 GMT Mamba said:

Seeing as it's going to be your daily driver now are you still going to go for the full stripped down machine or are you sticking with the style and going for a bit more practical inside?

Answer:

;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I take that as a yes then!! ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[camerashy]

There are plans for an interior Mamba, it's something I've planned actually for a long time, classy, should look like it was factory installed, but that is a long term project, the present interior is while complete, a bit grotty, more than anything it needs much of it pulling out, interior metal wiping down with a rag and lighter fluid and a good clean. Seats are perfect mind!

So for the moment (or until I get a migraine) I am happy to don some ear defenders and drive it. Forgot to add, because I didn't end up haggling over the price (after doing the sums, it actually is well UNDER priced against other cars for sale in Canada, certainly in the running, road legal condition it is in)

The seller is fixing the mechanical faults - replacing the brake master cylinder, clutch, pivot bushing, rad hosing, sump gasket, rear drums which need machining and a few other things. Had it been sold by someone else, I'd have skipped and waited some more, but the seller too helpful.

[camerashy]

The visual inspiration for the interior/exterior and the general feel of the car that I'd like to try attain with this project. Minimalist with a track car feel but functional and comfortable enough to take touring and on road trips.

























































A hint at the flavour of things to come I guess, assuming I get that far with it.

[Mamba]

Very nice mate!! Sounds like you're intending to keep it looking (to the unitiated) at least of the period with classic style gauges and additions that could have looked like a factory special but with a definite classic race influence?
I like it, I always did have a soft spot for these cars. She'll be some beast when you get her done!
And it does sound like you've well and truly landed on your feet with the vendour too, fair play to ya!

[camerashy]

Aug 5, 2011 18:59:57 GMT Mamba said:

Very nice mate!! Sounds like you're intending to keep it looking (to the unitiated) at least of the period with classic style gauges and additions that could have looked like a factory special but with a definite classic race influence?
I like it, I always did have a soft spot for these cars. She'll be some beast when you get her done!
And it does sound like you've well and truly landed on your feet with the vendour too, fair play to ya!

[nikdev]

Liking your thoughts and plans! And that old chassi, that was some bad curse word, glad you tossed it! hoping the new one don`t have any secrets

Bookmarked

[sumpcracker]

This is a massive leap forward, its worth somthing just being able to enjoy driving one a few years sooner.
Good find.

[camerashy]

I was all set to go with some wide Minilites like one of our own RR members @xxxxx from the UK -









More of this gorgeous car here. However, after calculating the cost of importing them, duty charges and the near impossible to find good 15" tyre sizes in N.America, I opted for the real deal and plumped for the Watanabes. Probably just doubled the value of the car. I ordered the wheels last week from a great guy called Kiyo who is currently the only distributor for Watanabe in North America. He's based in LA, it was $500 to have them air freighted from Japan or $200 if I could wait until October 1st and go through his friend on a US Airbase located in Japan. I've opted to wait and that $300 has bought me some sticky 9.5" wide rubber for the wheels.



They're 16", 9.5 wide at the rear, 9 wide at the front. Meaty. The fitment I'm trying to go for is something like this.









Pretty happy with dropping money on these.