Does anyone know if the 75-78 280z's had a/c as an option or standard? If an option, would the controls in the car still have the a/c option if the car came without it? Also, where is a good source for vin decoding?

A/C was an option except in the 2+2 where it was standard. There were factory installed systems and dealer installed systems. The non factory A/C cars would not have the a/c controls in the control assy. The factory A/C cars used a vacuum system to operate the mode doors, etc and used a different control assy. than the non factory A/C cars. The difference between the two is shown in this post:

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?p=242175#post242175

i have the a/c control on my heather control box so i guess it originally had the factory a/c? What would you estimate a refurbished sytem to run and any ideas on who may have them?

Don't know where you would find a refurbished 280Z factory air system. Has the system been completely removed or are some of the parts still there?

it's not my car but one i looked at. It is the 76 silver z on ebay right now with the high reserve. i'm not sure what you can tell from the engine photo. i went and looked at it and wasn't certain if a/c was an option, but saw the switch on the heat control so you confirmed it had it. it is actually a nice car and ran very well. everything worked and the body was in nice shape all things considered. however, to be complete it needs a number of items. a/c, spare, jack and tools, radio, maybe the power antenna, and a couple of door dings pulled out. i'm not an expert on these cars, but this seems like quite a bit to be a 10k car. what are your thoughts?

My thoughts:

If you are referring to the one in Port Huron, Michigan, it doesn't have factory air. I don't see the bracket for the two magnet valves on the passenger side strut tower, nor do I see a receiver/drier or any A/C lines. All of those would be visible if it had factory air. Even if it had dealer installed or aftermarket air, the receiver/drier and some part of the a/c lines should be visible and I just don't see them. Also, there's no fan shroud which is virtuallay a must have for A/C. If the car had A/C, the seller would most certainly mention that as it would be a selling point. I can see the rubber grommet right below the accelerator linkage where the lines would pass through to the evaporator. No lines however. It appears that the car has had at least some of the A/C components removed. It would have to very, very clean for me to even consider the opening bid, which no one has with less than half a day to go on the auction.

The door panels in that car seem different than mine in the way that they don't have the two chrome strips with the fake "wood" at the top and they seem to be completely smooth where mine have the diagonal lines that run across and also have that "rough" texture. I guess they must have changed the door panel styles in '76 mid-year?

More than likely, the seller or some PO had them reupolstered. My 78 door panels are the same as you described yours.

yes, that is the car and i think your comments are right on point. it actually was a nice car, but for top dollar i would expect everthing to be in place and working and without a/c, radio, spare/jack, and a few other quirks it is to pricey. i appreciate your input.