1978 DATSUN 280Z 5 SPEED CALIFORNIAN IMPORT 240Z 260Z

1978 Datsun 280 z 5 speed Californian Import in 611 Wine red metallic UK registered and on the road Original 2. 8 litre fuel injected 170 bhp L 28 engine with 5 speed manual gearbox – California car from new Almost completely rust free Tax, Mot and ULEZ exempt Walkaround video:

It came over last autumn as a project, had been sat for a couple of years in the states and I spent the winter fixing it up, and the summer enjoying driving it. I originally bought it to re-shell a very rusty 260 z but when I got it home and running I thought it was too good to strip for the shell and decided to fix both up. Being fuel injected, it will start first time every time, even when left for a while and I would honestly drive it across the country tomorrow. It's been utterly reliable and I've been using it almost daily this summer, covering nearly 2000 miles in it. Unfortunately, the 260 z is now back from the welders with a huge bill so it's time for it to go!

While the paintwork is a little scruffy, it is an incredibly solid and well sorted car that has has had a huge amount of work done to it to get it to this stage, which I've tried to list here:

Engine: Full service: Spark plugs, Oil/ Air/ Fuel filters & PCV Valve Distributor cap, rotor arm & ignition leads

Cooling system overhaul: radiator, Water pump, thermostat, temp sensor, new gaskets & coolant change. Temperature never moves beyond the halfway mark on gauge.

Sump & valve cover gaskets Rear main seal Fan belt New AFM boots both sides Various fuel pipes & vacuum lines replaced Z story rear silencer

It is a dry engine bay with no fluid leaks anywhere. It had apparently had some kind of engine rebuild just prior to being left standing. When I had the valve cover off, it looked impeccably clean so it could well be true & it now starts, runs and drives very smoothly.

Gearbox: Gearbox removed, new clutch kit fitted, all rubber seals replaced, new shifter bushings and new inner and outer boots, clutch slave & transmission mount. Suspension/ steering: Tie rods ends &steering rack boots Sway bar end link bushes Tension rod bushings New brake hoses Body: New stainless steel 240 z bumpers and 280 z conversion brackets Chrome mirrors polyurethane front air dam New headlights suitable for use on UK roads with uprated H 4 bulbs Amber LED bulbs in rear indicators Fuel tank removed and cleaned New door, side window and rear hatch seals Passenger side floor pan professionally replaced with reproduction panel (there was rust due to leaking heater pipes) Fully undersealed and cavity waxed Interior: New seat covers Carpet kit Nardi steering wheel Reproduction 240 z gearknob Every bulb behind the dash replaced – all gauges work except the clock Stereo with Bluetooth and hands free fitted along with new speakers Bits that I would do If I were keeping it: Would benefit from a full respray - a few small dents and chips and paint has gone flat again - can be made to look better with a machine polish (see older pics with mesh wheels) Heater has been bypassed as it was leaking at the connector on the firewall. Needs a set of door locks Missing a couple of bits of plastic interior trim. I have got various parts go with the car including the missing badges and windscreen surround The only bit of welding it will need doing at some point is on the RHS side dogleg

(see 2 nd last pic)

& I have the repair panel for this - everywhere else is 100% solid: floors, sills, lower wings, arches, hatch, under the battery, frame rails are all good. I have access to a lift so you can inspect the underside thoroughly.

Overall this is a very solid car that runs beautifully and can be enjoyed as is, or with paint and a couple of jobs done could be truly remarkable. I'm located in Oxfordshire, near Chipping Norton. Please contact me for more information, pictures or videos James

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