Project Profile – 1975 Datsun 280Z

But what if you’ve not got the time to go sifting through every listing? Well, you needn’t worry. We’ve taken that bullet for you (tough life, etc) and cherry picked the finest projects on offer, starting with this potential-laden 1975 Datsun 280Z.

What is it?

The Datsun Z cars were built predominantly for the Japanese and American markets, though they were available elsewhere, including here in the UK. However, all cars built in the ‘70s are prone to rust, and Japanese cars take that idea and run with it. Offered new with little to no rustproofing, few genuine UK cars survive today.

Rust isn’t much of a worry here though. While the pictures do indeed show the odd bit of corrosion, none of it looks to be in any way severe. The beauty of this car is its Californian heritage, meaning its spent its life basking in the sun rather than trudging through salty roads on the way to Bracknell.

This particular model is a 280Z, the third evolution of the Z car. It was introduced to meet the ever-stringent pollution regulations in the U.S. Earlier 240Z and 260Z cars were fitted with carburettors, however this model has a more efficient and easier to manage Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system.

Built from 1975 to 1978, this was the last of the light and balanced Z cars before the altogether more ungainly and nowhere near as pretty 280ZX came out.

Why is it a project?

The seller describes it as a “rolling restoration” owing to the fact recent spinal operation has apparently put paid to any further progress being made on the car. Certainly, a shame for the seller, but it means you can pick up where he left off. it looks like the hard work has been done, so now it’s just a case of putting your mark on the car.

The car has MOT until November, which is a nice thing for a project to have, and having had a look at the MOT history, it seems it passed its MOT with no advisories. Also a very good thing indeed.

The seller goes on to say that there is some rust in the front scuttle, the rear hatch and in the spare wheel well, though he also mentions that this has been treated, so it hopefully won’t be getting any worse. The dash must have succumbed to the Californian heat, as the seller is including a new dashboard. He’s got a new carpet set to go with it too.

This is very much a visual project. There’s nothing you’d need to do to the mechanicals (we’ll cover why shortly), so it’s just a case of putting your stamp on how the car looks. The body does look tired, and from the pictures, we’re not sure if the paint can be saved. Maybe it can, maybe a new coat is in order. Either way, it won’t stop you from buying this rolling project and enjoying it immediately.

What’s been done already?

The seller has been a very busy chap indeed and seems to have done all the hard work with pleasing results. All the suspension has been rebuilt, and this has included an extensive session at the powder-coaters. All the bushes have been upgraded for polyurethane items, which should tighten things up nicely. The lights have been changed out for new UK-compliant units. The brakes have been rebuilt including flexi hoses, the tyres are new and the gorgeous slot mags have been reconditioned.

Under the bonnet, he’s fitted a new battery, new fuel pressure regulator, three new fuel injectors and a brake master cylinder. It seems he has been very busy indeed, and looking at the pictures of the work, it’s all been done with a pleasing level of detail.

Five things you should look for:

1)    Steering – The steering on a 280Z should be absolutely pin-sharp with no play whatsoever. That said, the seller has done work to the suspension, so it should all be fine. But still, never hurts to check.

2)    Engine number – It was popular to swap the engine for that of a later 280ZX when the original got tired. The original engine is the best one to have, and there’s no reason to suggest that’s not present here. However, check for an engine number containing L28

3)    Rust – As we said earlier, the Z cars love to dissolve. The seller, in this case, seems pretty switched on. However, it never hurts to check under the carpets, the battery tray and the sills. Just to be safe.

4)    Crash damage – The Z is a sports car, and sports cars are prone to being crashed, so look out for bent inner wings/chassis rails. Also, look for poor panel fitment and mismatched paint.

5)    Trim – The Z is a rare car, and as such, parts come at a premium. The mechanicals are pretty robust and enjoy good parts availability. However, smaller visual stuff like badges, switchgear, chrome and so on are all hard to find. So make sure it’s present and correct.

A restored 260Z for inspiration

What should you do with it?

You could go one of two ways with this car. You could go down the restoration route and take it back to being factory fresh. It certainly looks complete enough to serve as a decent base to restore in such a way. Standard specification cars are getting harder to find, too, so if you ever did move the car on, you’d be in a solid position.

Or how about the modified route, like this 260Z?

The other option, of course, is to modify. When it comes to the Z, the world is very much your oyster and you’re only limited by your imagination. Lower it, change the wheels, upgrade the exhaust, the cam and the cylinder head, wild paint, bucket seats, the list goes on. But don’t think you’ll harm the end value by modifying – the market for custom Z cars is as strong as its ever been.

If this has got you mentally tinkering in your garage already, here’s where you can find a Datsun 280Z for sale.