Smokey

OK, I might need to sweeten the pot a bit to get a taker. This is what you will be looking at.

If anyone is close to Bethel park PA and would not mind swinging by and checking out a '76 280Z for me could you drop me a line? Thanks.

Going to check on a long shot on Saturday (tomorrow). It is a '71 with a L28 bored out to about 2.9L with 3x Mikunis, Racer Brown cam (adjust 360 degrees), stiff valve springs. It has a 3.9 rear end with LSD and Tokico 5 way adjust shocks. Interior has Sparco cloth racing seats, and 4 pt. roll cage. Also has front and rear strut braces. There is more, but that hits the high points. Question is this, he has autocrossed the car for a few years. He says everything is solid and there are no issues with the body or chassis. What are areas that I should be concerned with that are different from a non-raced Z? Any stress points that I might miss? Plans for this car are pretty much to make it as streetable as possible, and use it as a weekend play car. Doubt I will autocross it....but you never know. He already has it completely set up, I would just need to turn the key and turn the corners. Thanks.

Most of the time the difference between the 5spd and the 6spd is the gap between gears. 1st is usually the same between the trannies, and 5th and 6th are usually the same. But, in the six speed the ratios are closer spaced to keep the revs up in the peak HP/TQ range. Works well with variable valve timing on the newer motors that only make power over 5000rpms. The 6spd will lose less revs per shift than the 5spd. I think the Z's do just fine with the 4spd/5spd. Their motors make good use of the power band.

But the LS1 is heavy enough to sink that boat

Looks like the Z is actually an Italian MAN. Now I feel all dirty about dreaming of one......Gee thanks! But I do like Vicky's take on it the best so far.

You're an idiot. That's all I can say. I have spent 3 years looking for a car in that condition to keep as is. I am thrilled that you got such a great deal on it but please don't hack it. As far as your statement about the straight six being slower than an Accord...So. I think you've lost the plot of Z ownership and all your Z's should be siezed, and you should be flogged.

If you happen to be out that way I would love a review of it. It is kinda pricey, but as I have told 2ManyZ's before.....If it is the right car, price will not matter too much. But for 18K it had better be like driving down to a Datsun dealership in 1972 and getting their showroom car. I would be that picky. Feel free to E-mail me Radar446@aol.com with any findings. Thanks, and don't make a special trip on my account.

That's OK, 3 hours is only a couple closer than I am anyway. No big loss. I'm only halfway looking now. I keep my eyes out, and try to look at the real nice ones. Who knows, might just get lucky one of these times. I'm a firm believer in the theory--If its meant to be....

Nevermind. Just got word that he sold it today. Oh well.

Is there anyone in the area of Kennesaw Ga. (NW of Atlanta) who wouldn't mind checking out a car for me? It is 5.5 hours away and I would really hate to spend the gas money to go down on a POS. If I drive the distance, I would prefer to drive the car back. Here are the details General • Datsun 280z 1976 • 2.8 liter inline 6 with a manual 4 speed • Have all records and receipts • All latest work done in the greater Atlanta area • NO RUST • Runs well was everyday driver for around 4 months, but still driven several times a week. • Has been driven in Atlanta, Ga. and Huntsville, Al. Exterior - $4000 • The front and rear bumpers were removed, the holes were all filled, sanded and painted 1/03 • The side markers on both the front and the back and all emblems were removed, filled, sanded and painted 1/03 • Every bit of the car was inspected for rust and if found was fixed 1/03 • Under the hood was painted flat black 1/03 • Rest of the car was painted Ferrari yellow 1/03 • Front air dam 1/03 • Lowered 1 inch 1/03 • w/ Tokico 5 way adjustable struts 4/02 • Polyurethane bushings all the way around 4/02 • Camber kit 1/03 • Gas tank refurbishing 3/02 • New tie rod ends 2/04 • Original 14 inch wheels w/brand new tires Interior • Mostly still original all black, no cracks in the dash • All gauges work except clock • Brand new carpet, black 7/03 • CD player, 2 6x9’s in the rear panel of the car. 7/03 • Passenger seat has a couple of tears. • 2 seater • Have original 8 track still Under the hood • 80% restored, original trans, and rear diff. • 23,000 miles since rebuild at team Nissan in Huntsville Alabama 11/97 $3953 • MSD ignition, new headers and full exhaust 6/03 • All new front end, A arms, control arms ext. 6/99 • Complete brake job, Steal belted brake lines and master cylinder 7/99 • New clutch, clutch master cylinder 6/03 • New battery 3/00 • New injectors, all new hoses and fuel lines 6/03 Problems • Occasional paint chip around bottom of the car and hood • Needs antenna • Tear in passenger seat • AC needs work • Some original paint is showing around windshield The price is getting close to right. We've been discussing it off and on. Thanks

Alright, don't know what is going on with the attachment, but here is a link to the pic

Having a problem with the attachment. Trying again. Now it is attaching something I have never seen before. Something aint' right.

Things seem to be settling down here at home, and it is looking like I might have a little time to enjoy a Z. The Black Pearl that I looked at is a little much for my budget now. It also is going to require some money and time to get it "right". Starting to look again just to see what's out there that might be in my price range. Came upon a '76 280Z in Atlanta Ga. that is at the upward end of my price range. Wonder if anyone knows anything about this car. I have sent an E-mail to Balanced Performance where the car has been serviced for the past 2 owners. Hopefully they will respond with good news. I talked to the owner today and he makes it sound like a very nice car only needing a tear fixed in the passenger seat, and a new antenna. He is very willing to send pictures and answer all my questions on the car which gives me a good feeling about doing business with him. As you can see from the attachment the bumpers have been shaved along with the side markers. There is a MSA air dam on the front. The whole car has been gone through by a body shop (Century Paint and Body) and any rust has been dealt with. According to the owner there was only one rust spot (nickle sized hole) in the door. That was cut out and replaced with metal.

Is it worth it to you??? On any car this age, you will not find a hard and fast rule on pricing fairness. It is all supply and demand. I have found time and time again, what I think is too expensive, someone else thinks is a deal. It is all in what you expect out of your money. If you can live with the issues the car has, and will be happy with it, then $3500 is a good price. If you have serious reservations about the price, then plow on to the next one. There will always be another Z to look at. Most (90%) of the members here have looked for over a year to find the right car. I have been looking just a hair longer than that myself.

Pretty common place for rust to get a hold on. More than likely when you start to grinding you will find the rust has eaten from the bottm of the panel up. If you remove the tail lights and the finisher, you will have better acces to the damaged area. Don't think there are replacement parts available, but since it is a flat piece (and you caught it at the bubble stage) you can get some flat steel and weld a patch. Just make sure you get all the rust top and bottom. Do a search for hatch rust. At one time someone posted a very detailed how to, on making a patch in that area.

Geez Victor. I see this kind of thing quite often, but never dealing with a Z. I am sorry that you are having to go through this. If it makes you feel better, the VIN will be entered into a national computer database (NCIC). Whenever the VIN or the tag is run it will show stolen. That works for any parts off the car that have the VIN attached. So, even if they stole it to go into a different state they can still be found. I just hope it is found in one piece with no major damage. Good Luck!

Here is a better version. Little easier to read.

You know, I thought my department would have dibs on that logo, but I guess they beat us to it. Guess it is going to be the second choice.

Thanks for the support guys. I still have not called off the purchase of the BPE. I'm trying to see if I can make it all work out. Plus, I still have not heard anything about the service documents he has said he has.

Well, he says he has them, then he doesn't, but he will look for them. Just kinda confusing. The real reason I am interested in them is if the mileage is correct, then it is worth quite a bit of money. Even if I think that it is correct, without documentation, I can't support the claim in a show, or to a prospective buyer on down the road. Looking at resale and keeping the value up. On a side note, I might be out of the Z game for a while. Found out my Mother has Multiple Sclerosis and I may be spending a large amount of time and energy helping her out. Got to see what pans out with that first. I have not called it quits yet, just looking at where my priorities need to be.

I just got a reply back from the owner from an E-mail I sent while I was at the in-laws. Again I had requested him to go through the service records (which he claims to have) from the previous owner. He says they are in his safe. Now he is saying he can't find them. While I was at his house, he was unable to get in the safe, cause the key for it was in a vehicle that was not there. Really starting to wonder if he is trying to hide something on this car. For some reason, something always comes up when I request the service records he has said he possesses:ermm: . Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but I can produce documentation on everything I've done to my truck at a moments notice, right down to when I got the windshield replaced from a rock.

Hmmm, interesting way to check the condition of the inner quarter. Good news, it looks to be in very good shape. Bad news, gonna need some touchup paint and a Band-aid. Seriously, thanks for posting that up. Good reminder what "can" happen in any motorsport event. Vintage racing sounds like a lot of fun, but like you said, it can get real expensive real quick.