I think i have a Black Pearl

[Datsun-Fever]

Hey guys, the color code on my car matches the black pearls, and it HAD the same pinstripes! i got it for $450, Not bad huh? so how rare are they? i want to put a l28ET in my car later, and some other performence parts but i dont want to deface it if its really rare. Im of course going to repaint it pearl black though.

[Bambikiller240]

The only way it will stay a Black Pearl 280Z is if you change NOTHING, and restore what is currently missing from your car that was part of the Black Pearl package from Nissan.

Change the engine (or anything else), or fail to restore what is currently missing and all you have is a modified 280Z.

[sblake01]

Take a look at this attachment. The only other option I've ever seen on them is the factory alloy rims like in my avitar:

[Datsun-Fever]

I can get EVERYTHING OEM, but the pinstriping is all gone! if i get the paint exactly black pearl and i get a custom pinstriping to the exact original, will it be a BP? how rare are they exactly?

[v12horse]

According to Zhome.com there were only 1200-1500 made. So, it is pretty rare. Be proud and restore it to oem specs. If you install the factory alloy wheels that Stephen has on his car, it would give the car an awesome oem/enthusiast look. Look at the auction of the black pearl that I posted in the other thread to see exactly what it would look like. Congrats to you on having a "Black Pearl."

Ben

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by Datsun-Fever
I can get EVERYTHING OEM, but the pinstriping is all gone! if i get the paint exactly black pearl and i get a custom pinstriping to the exact original, will it be a BP? how rare are they exactly?


From the attachment posted by Stephen, it looks like the pinstriping is a decal or vinyl stripe kit. Maybe they are still available from Nissan.

In order to maintain the value of the car as a "Black Pearl" edition 280Z, the paint will need to be the exact OEM color, AND exact type of paint (Enamel, or whatever), and the exact stripe kit would need to be on the car. Just painting on replicas of the stripes isn't going to do it. You would also need to have the exact Racing Mirrors supplied by Nissan, and the exact same Rear Sunshade. The important word here is EXACT. Anything less makes the car a replica at best.

I'm not trying to discourage you, but in the collector car world, this is what is expected, and it is why so few of these cars survive today, and why they are more valuable than a regular 280Z.

[sblake01]

Mike, could you post some pictures of the car? What kind of shape is it in? Does it have the mirrors, louvers, etc? I believe that part number in the attachment is for the stripe kit. I ran that number on the Nismo parts site and it superseded to another number which usually means its available. Check the site and email them and ask whats in the kit. I find it hard to belive it's under $70 like it says. http://www.nismoparts.com

[Datsun-Fever]

I have the sunshade and the mirrors, sorry man but i dont have a digital camera, never had the use for one but i think i can get my dads some time soon. Sorry, i dont know much about pinstriping, i thought it was paint. Thanks alot guys, im going to E-mail that site. I read that another way to check if i have a BP is that the color code on the radiator is 638? is this correct? because my number is indeed 638.

[Datsun-Fever]

This is actually very agrivating! i cant really afford a full oem restoration.....and i really wanted a Turbocharged 280Z......I think a Turbocharged Black Pearl would be cool, but i guess that would make it a normal plain old 280Z.

[v12horse]

Well, it is your car. Don't let someone tell you that you can't do what you want to do to it. You can still modify it and be able to put it back to oem later on if that is your choice. It would be cool if cosmetically it would be dead stock BP, and there was a turbo under the hood, but if you change out the engine, keep the old block for if you want to make it oem when you do get the money later on. Any restoration is going to be expensive, and if you are going to go with an L28et, I think it would be more than restoring the stock L28. Good luck, and no matter what people say, no matter how you mod it, your car IS a Black Pearl.

-Ben

[Datsun-Fever]

Thanks alot man, thats just what i was thinking, ill keep the stock l28 around.

[lordbiotree]

The only way a turbo would be cost effective is if your doing all the work your self.

The paint job alone (what ever color you chose) will be around 3K. A used turbo with computer is around 500-800. Add another 500 it have a shot install it. then look at the rust problems. This car better have absolutely no cancer if your planning on running a 300-400HP setup.

Then you are going to have drive train problems. The stock 280Z 5-speed cant handle much over 300HP. You'll going to need a T-5 tranny.
-Brandon

[Datsun-Fever]

Im doing absolutly everything on my own, no shop work. Although i am getting help from some pro's. I am doing the bodywork as we speak, now all i need to do is get my hands on a welder and ill be set. I wont be adding a L28ET for a while.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by v12horse
......... and no matter what people say, no matter how you mod it, your car IS a Black Pearl.

-Ben

Of course he can do whatever he wants to his car. Don't think anyone said he couldn't , or shouldn't unless I missed something.

BUT, I 100% disagree with your statement quoted above. If it is modded in anyway, it is no longer an original BP. It WAS a BP, and may at some point, be restored to be one again. Just like other variations of S30, there are specific criteria to be met to be considered a BP

BTW AFAIK, the serial numbers of Black Pearl edition cars are not traceable.

[sblake01]

Originally posted by Bambikiller240 BTW AFAIK, the serial numbers of Black Pearl edition cars are not traceable.

So if I were to take my 78, strip it down, paint it black, get the stripe kit and other accesories and a new paint code sticker, no one would be able to tell me that its not a BPE?:devious:

[Zrush]

Originally posted by sblake01
So if I were to take my 78, strip it down, paint it black, get the stripe kit and other accesories and a new paint code sticker, no one would be able to tell me that its not a BPE?:devious:

That's what you would call a "Clone". Seen it done with many a muscle cars, Yenkos and the such. If as Carl says VIN's aren't tracable to the authenticity/originality of a special edition car, then your only proof would be original paperwork, sales records and window stickers.

Vicky

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by sblake01
So if I were to take my 78, strip it down, paint it black, get the stripe kit and other accesories and a new paint code sticker, no one would be able to tell me that its not a BPE?:devious:

That is my recollection of a previous discussioin regarding these cars on the IZCC mail list. "I think" that is what Carl Beck indicated. If I am recalling 100% correct, it was suggested (by various participants) that the only way to be certain if a car was in fact a Factory Black Pearl, was if the paint type and color was Factory OEM "everywhere", all accessory items were present and verifiable as original OEM.

No painted pinstripes, 280zx-t engines, aftermarket mirrors, sunshades, etc. Pity that Nissan didn't keep better track of stuff like this.

Here is a little info from Zhome.com

INTRODUCTION:
The 1978 Black Pearl Edition 280Z was the first black Z Car Produced. It was actually a test market device to determin if the color black should be added to the Z Car model line colors. It was so successful that in 1979 with the introduction of the 280ZX Datsun featured their all Black 280ZX's in their "Black Gold" ad.'s.
We know what at least one Black Pearl Edition with the "SPORTS APPEARANCE PACKAGE" was sent to each Authorized Datsun Dealer in 1978, with the larger volume Dealers receiving more than one. Thus at least 850 Black Pearl Editions with the SAP were produced and most likely something closer to 1200 or 1500 of them. We have no offical production figures for the number of cars which received only the Black Pearl Metalic Paint (but not, the Sports Appearance Package.).

[5-Speed]

Man those Black Peral's Look Nice :classic:

[sblake01]

Originally posted by Zrush
That's what you would call a "Clone". Seen it done with many a muscle cars, Yenkos and the such. If as Carl says VIN's aren't tracable to the authenticity/originality of a special edition car, then your only proof would be original paperwork, sales records and window stickers.

Vicky

Well, I meant that hypothetically, I wouldn't really do it because I wouldn't be happy with it.

[Datsun-Fever]

Yes, you can tell by the code on the radiator, true black pearl=638.
I Emailed NISMO a couple days ago....no reply.....damnit, where can i get a stripe kit?!?!

[Bambikiller240]

Try Chloe at www.midwestz.com If it is available, she can get it.

[sblake01]

Originally posted by Datsun-Fever
I Emailed NISMO a couple days ago....no reply.....damnit, where can i get a stripe kit?!?!

They sometimes take a while to answer. It might be better if you give them a call.

[26th-Z]

Hello Dastun-Fever and everyone!

A couple of things have been discussed that I wish to comment on. Most everyone has encouraged me to restore my car, but everyone also says I can do whatever I want - it's my car. I would think, though, that if one could afford to build a turbo engine, one could also refinish the car to original specs. The initial price indicates to me that money, no matter which way you go, is going to be spent in great quantities. Another option is to just clean it up and sell it. I would think that the car could be worth many times your original price. The best advice I always hear is: "If you want a turbo car, then buy a turbo car. Don't trash an otherwise unique car to make something that never was".

I thought the radiator number reference was interesting. What other features of a BP are unique?

My suggestion on the stripe kit is that if you happen to find one, keep it safe and dry. Pin stripe the paint job so that you can't tell and it will last longer and look better. I wouldn't diss you for it!

[sblake01]

Originally posted by 26th-Z
What other features of a BP are unique?


Check the attachment in my post on page one of this thread.

[blkprlz]

Sorry to bring this back from the dead, I am in the search of a stripe kit as mine are a little faded & would like to refresh. I'm traveling on holiday vacation still & don't have the serial # avail. @ the moment, but will provide it upon my return home. Anybody here or elsewhere keeping a database on these rare relics? Let's start one if none around!!
Attched. are a couple of pix for those who are in doubt.

Edit: Unable to upload pix, any secrets would be greatly appreciated!

[blkprlz]

Just noticed file upload size limits @ 488k, My photos are in the 633k range, got to figure out how to 'photoshop" them down to size.

[sblake01]

I believe that the general consesnus of the thread was that the kit is NLA. A database of BPE serial numbers would be of no real use since the number wouldn't tell anything except that it's a 78 280z.

[AndysPlit]

....Very little point in adding this, as it is VERY trivial. But, my hood comes from a BPE......Found it in the junkyard a few years ago when I was looking for another hood. Nope, I don't own a BPE, but I got a good deal on the hood. :squareeye

[het976]

I had a totaled BPE that I took the drivetrain out of for my Z. It was a real BPE with the correct paint code and original black paint. It did not have the pinstripe graphics however. Someone may have taken them off or I have heard that not all came with them. And no the car could not be saved...both ends were trashed, the rear floor was buckled 6 inches - only the drivers door was not damaged.