Recently, I got to help out BangShift web guy Scott Payton by being the middle man, bag man, pickup guy, final line of defense, or whatever you want to call it in a long distance automotive purchase he was making. Scott had found a car that his 16-year old son Spencer was into and after a failed bid to win it on eBay he was able to score it in a second chance sale after the original eBay buyer flaked. When the car was initially up for sale, Scott had asked if I would be able to inspect it for him. By the time that would have happened the car lurched past the mark that Scott was willing to pay for it and it seemed that the clean looking orange 1976 Datsun would be heading for another home.
Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago when an excited Scott called me up and asked if I was still up for helping to get things sorted out with this car. It took exactly zero seconds for me to ask when, where, and what he needed. Happily, the car was about 60 miles from my home and as we normally do here at Lohnes central, we made a family trip out of the mission to do the final inspection, make payment, and ultimately bring the car back home. I had seen some photos of the car that Scott had sent me but I was totally unprepared for what I actually found when I went into the underground parking area that the 1976 Datsun 280Z 2+2 was in. The car is incredible and outside of having to whack it with the jumper cables to wake it up, the thing exceeded everyone of my expectations and although Scott has not seen it yet, I bet it will beat his as well. I drove the car straight home to my house and it runs like a Swiss watch. Not a tire blazer or drag strip hero by any stretch, the fuel injected inline six engine has great torque and pulls the thing up to 65mph effortlessly. I obviously did not beat on the car as it is intended for someone else but when you drive something for that many miles you get to know it a little bit. The four speed is rock solid, clutch is good, and the interior is one of the most stupefying things ever because it appears that no one has actually sat in the car since it was built in 1976.
I have a ton of photos below to show the condition of the car as I found it, after a quick wash, and how it currently sits at my place awaiting pickup for a ride on a truck back to Indiana. Scott was thinking about driving it home but shipping it is the better option for schedules, etc. It would make the drive no problem and get good economy doing it. The car’s manual steering, lack of bullshit options that new cars are chocked with and authentic “real” sports car feel are all awesome. We think it is spectacular that this car is going to a kid because he’ll love it and maintain it and keep it in top shape. This is totally going to be the most interesting thing in the high school parking lot by a mile!
Oh, one last thing. I know that the 2+2 is the “less desirable” of the 280Z line, but let’s get over ourselves for a minute, shall we? The fact that this virtually perfect old car is going to be a kid’s pride and joy and will likely spark a life long love affair with all things automotive negates any of the stuff that makes this car less desirable. As BangShifters we’re always looking to zig when everyone else is zagging (Hello Caprice and Imperial), right? Yes, the cars without the bigger bumper have more sex appeal, especially if you were alive during the time when they were sold but guess what? This kid was born in 1998. This car is bad ass for exactly what it is and even more so to what it represents for him. Sorry for the rant!
Now, onto the photos of this flippin’ sweet 1976 Datsun 280Z – I may struggle to give it back to Scott and Spencer!
I first saw the car exactly like this. I took this photo as I was walking up to it. I had no idea it was in this type of shape and Scott got a steal of a deal on it.
About 10 miles away from the garage we had to stop and “water” the kids. This was the first time we got to see the car out in the light and it got even better! My son Tom loves it.
The engine does not leak a drop, has been maintained, and even shows signs that it may have been rebuilt at some point. The rubber link hoses in the fuel injection system are all new, it is clean as a whistle, and you could balance wine glasses on it while running. Smooth as a sewing machine.
Yes, this is the longer wheelbase four passenger version. Like most 2+2s the rear seat is not fit for people larger than an 8 year old. Sorry kid, unless you have tiny friends you’ll have one buddy or buddette in the passenger seat.
Another look at the engine from the intake side.
Virtually new tires and wheels that are amazingly good.
That famous logo!
The car had some grime and salt on it from the ride home so I stopped at my father in law’s so we could give it a bath. It was the right thing to do and since he’s a car guy he was into checking it out as well. My mother in law also got in on the act.
Outside of a couple bubbles here and there, the car has no rust at all.
Salt washed off, the car was back to looking sweet in its orange suit.
The interior may be the most mind blowing part of the entire car. It is so good there’s no way someone daily drove this thing everyday.
Wheel? Perfect. Gauges? All intact and perfect. Dash? Not a crack in sight!
Seats are decent, not great when compared to modern sports car seats, but again for something nearly 40 years old it is impressive as hell.
It looks freaking NEW!
The shifter handle is the only thing that shows wear. No, I did not gnaw on it it has some paw marks.
See that odometer? 08571….is it possible that this car has 8,500 original miles instead of 108k? I think that it is.
Just because I was shooting photos like a Japanese tourist, the heating and ac controls are still in perfect nick.
A modern head unit puts sound through the stock speakers. The old school lights are pretty fun. I have no idea what the knob/switch on the right does.
This plate is pretty awesome as it lists all the pertinent info about the car and it is again in perfect condition. No corrosion or anything!
It looks like the jamb end of the door is yellow but that is just a lighting deal. It is orange like the rest of the car. At some point in its life the car was re-sprayed but they did a pro job.
I have always had a bit of a soft spot mote for 240Z’s – but these are cool too…what utterly staggers me is the no rust thing…I reckon 90% of these at least I’ve ever seen have rust holes you could put your fist through… excellent score this one, what a great thing for a young fellah to fall in love with and start hopefully a life long love for cars….
I see what you did there. Insurance? Registration? F-that!….Just put Buford’s plate on it..all good.
Very nice condition, considering that these cars were prone to the tin worm. The 2+2s are awkward-looking, but I’m sure that was why it was such a good price
Awesome. Great to hear a young dude wanted an interesting car as his first. Enjoy bud, take care of it….
Brian is our hero! He has been such a help getting this car – and thanks for the cool write-up. We just can’t thank him enough.
My son Spencer has never really had the “gear head syndrome”, in fact he could care less about hot rods, muscle cars, car shows, and such. Then about 6 months ago he said “Dad, I think I found a car I like”… and I was all-in when I found out it was a four decade old sports car.
The Datsun wouldn’t have been my personal first choice, but it has sparked an interest in Spencer, so I’m certainly going to support it.
Now we’re both looking forward to spending time under the hood together and keeping this old “Fairlady” on the road.
Incidentally, Spencer was actually practical enough to want a 2+2 specifically so he could haul his buddies with him, and carry all his electric guitar gear around. That extra 11 inches will come in handy, and we’ve even come to like the style of it too.
Lastly, those “tug-boat” bumpers are on the list to get replaced with the early 240Z style thin bumpers… BUT not right away, I like the idea of big bumpers for the first year or so he is driving.
Awesome car to snag…!!! I like them and actually try to avoid the ‘desirable’ cars. To me, this is just as good-looking as anything else when cleaned up. It will give decent economy, handle well, and be a blast to drive. That’s a good dad…
As the owner of a late 70’s car that was also my first car, the tastes of large bumpers or not quite mainstream looks has appeal to me, and apparently Spencer.
That’s going to be a great first car, and the rear seats are still good to hold backpacks and duffle bags.
Nice find. I can’t remember the last time I saw a car marketed as a 2+2.
1986 Pontiac Grand Prix 2+2 Aerocoupe is the last one I can think of, but I doubt it’s a true 2+2.
You had an easy job Bruab making sure this thing was ok.
I ok’d an old Ford once for a pal, thing was completely rehashed and I missed it. Fortunately I wasn’t murdered, but I should have been. I won’t get in that spot again if I can help it.