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Sounds like you might be talking about some of us older Z owners as well as the cars we drive. Dennis

This writing is not as technical as the majority of the content posted on forums. This is a personal account of my 260Z in a nutshell upto this point. If it were not for members of this forum my car would not be where it is today. Thus, I am very thankful. I hope that some of you get a laugh or some inspiration out of this story. You can also be critical of me as I am trying to hone my writing. Sometimes I just do not know what I am doing. I am spending a lot of money on my 260Z and there is no justifiable reason. Its money I have that I should be saving for the future or for my family, but strangely the car has called. The Z started as my college car 14 years ago and I have held onto it. I drove it regularly during that time going from school to home a hundred miles away, to the coffee shop where I studied, and to where ever I desired. It was the freedom of having a car; an American dream. I then went on to dental school and the largely original 260Z went to my best friend Rich’s backyard where it sat in the baking sun. My intent was to visit the car, cover it, or drive it. Dental school was way too demanding and the car was put to the back of my mind. Once I moved off campus a year later my dad and I went to Rich’s house. The 260Z had been my father’s car and he had loaned it to me as I needed my own transportation and he was at his wits end. The Z had broken down on him too many times. But when my father and I saw the car after that year of being in the open, tears welled up in his eyes. It had cobwebs, corrosion on the chrome and the paint was faded. That was all he saw, but all I saw was my car and its potential. It had not fared well, but there was nothing I could have done. My father would have preferred to get rid of it right then and there to start anew with some other car. I kept it and over the course of nearly ten years the car was used on and off and eventually it sat in a carport dormant and neglected once again. Layers of dust caked on its surface as I was too busy for the car. The 260Z was an eyesore and even more, a stab to my car enthusiast’s heart. I could not do anything with it and nor was I ready. It was blocked from my mind and the shear mention of the car from a family member put me in panic-mode. Sports cars had failed me in some way. I worked for a dentist that put himself before his patients doing too much work and at a sub-par level to fund his car hobby. I needed a break from having been obsessed with cars for so long. I also lived two miles from work so I rode my bicycle. My wife and I then had a newborn son and I was now the one at my wits end with the car. It was time to sell. I did all the necessary things to ready the car for the new owner; tires, fluids, new battery and a thorough cleaning. I still remember the day I started it up for the first time and drove it around the block. The wiggle needed to unlock the door, the finesse of the throttle, and the quirkiness of the four speed all for smooth driving. There was an understanding of this car I still possessed as though it had been on the road all along. What was happening? I was reacquainting myself with the Z from a better place in life. My wife said she had a buyer. Her father. Why? I thought. For his grandson. My son!!! I was crying. It would be at my in-laws in their backyard under a tarp. There was no way that I was going to let the little car be forgotten again. A new chapter was opened and the future was uncertain. I got reacquainted with cars and the car scene I had missed for so long. Life got in the way, but now I had a bit of time. Over the course of a year and a half I drove the car, made improvements and realized that this was my car. I have had the pleasure of driving many sports cars, but the 260Z fit me better than the rest. If I could describe why that is I would. Years of this car’s existence has been in dormancy. Prior to my father and me owning the car it sat in a garage in Wisconsin for seventeen years. My dad resurrected the car respraying it in the original color, new bumpers, new vinyl seat covers, and a set of 72’ SU carburetors. The history of the car is now changing and there is no turning back. As a college student I searched the internet and Japanese car magazines to come up with my idea of the ultimate Z. That idea was always there and now with the help of a highly skilled mechanic it is becoming a reality. I only wish I was the one doing the restoration, but with a carport, few tools, and no time outside of work and family I have placed this project in the hands of Rob Fuller at the Zcar Garage. My vision is to build the 260Z into something largely original down to the colors and the appearance of the engine bay. Underneath will lurk a beast. The engine will be a 3.0 liter built by Rebello, TechnoToy coil overs, a Fujitsubo Legalis R exhaust, and a Datsun competition interior (driver's bucket seat, steering wheel, and shift knob). Much of the inspiration of my car is from a silver 72’ Fairlady Z in Japan owned by Dr. Suzuki. Exteriorly the only modifications are the ride height, Watanabe wheels, factory headlight covers, and the exhaust. Earlier I mentioned that I don’t know what I am doing and why I am placing so much effort and money into this car, but it has everything to do with my lifelong passion for sports cars. Since the time I can remember I have been afflicted with the car-bug. What is it that excites car enthusiasts? The sound, the speed, motorsport, the sleek lines of a sport cars? All of that I am not sure, but the persona of me the driver and the driving experience is what attracts me most. I have a passion for nearly all cars and to say I am a Zcar guy would be wrong. This Z encapsulates all cars in some unexplainable way and I can’t wait to share my passion when its finished. This writing has been long in the making and my story of the car will continue. My goal is to put as many miles on the 260Z as I possibly can. I ultimately want to do a cross country road trip with my son for the 50th anniversary of the Z. Thank you all for the knowledge and inspiration and I will keep you posted on my car’s progress. Sincerely, Ben inkbendental@gmail.com

For Sale my 1980 280zx 10th anniversary special edition. #1862 of 3000. It is a 5 speed. I have owned this car for 6yrs and 10 months. I repainted the car the original colors about 4 years ago, installed new seat covers and carpet as well as put countless thousands of dollars into this car restoring it back to stock as close as i could (except for the stereo). I have meticulously cleaned and maintained this car, quite frankly it has been my baby. a year ago i slid into my neighbors yard and put some damage on the rear side of the car. It has been checked by a local body shop to make sure the frame isn't damaged. i dont want to sell this car but i must because i have a new family.Parts car is included.feel free to call or text me anytime with any questions or for more pics, I work on the weekends so just leave me a voicemail and ill call you back asap. 404-791-onethreesixfour.

AutoWeek posted an entertaining video history of the Z. See it here: https://tinyurl.com/y7u5vjqp Dennis

Another thing people often forget about is the age/maintenance ratio. These are old mostly plastic and fragile cars everywhere but the body which is rust prone. They require constant attention, like a pet in my opinion. Do you like working on cars or drivng? That FSR I think from Scion is a nice arse car and nothing but driving. These Zs are easy to work on but you have to work on them. That turns to the fun part, for me at least. I have a garage and like working on mine as much as I do driving it but I enjoy beer more than any car.

Rust is the nemesis that plagues all Z's. Body condition is the first and most important thing to look for. Everything else pales in comparison to rust. The EFI seems to be a common problem on 280's too. At least until it's sorted out. Then it seems to be reliable. Suspension and steering components (bushings, tie rod ends, shocks, etc.)usually need to be refreshed.

Well Mike, now it worked!!! I think it sounds great : )IMG_9275.MOV IMG_9274.MOV

You should be able to.. Have you tried the gallery too?

That's two good finds! Don't be intimidated by all of the wires on the ignition module. The ones you need are under that red strip of plastic. It's a terminal block with a spot and a screw for each wire. You'll see when you take the spare out of your parts car. Might want to snap a picture for reference of where each color wire goes. Easier than digging through eh FSM.

LOL. Or cardboard painted with wrinkle finish paint...

Even the dog is happy about that...

Tis just a flesh wound.

The other thing to check are those blue connectors. Take the ignition module out and make sure no wires came lose.

http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2017/08/whoa-history-lesson-all-laid-out-of.html

Found the problem! EGR valve had a rock stuck in between the plunger and the housing. Swapped in the new one and she just purrs. My dad thinks it has a perfomance cam in it too, but I have no idea since I lost the rebuild paperwork. Thank you everyone for your help. I'll upload a video of it finally running shortly.

I am thinking about 2 more years for mine to be listed there. Keep those prices up.