Datsun/Nissan 280ZX for Sale

$17,500
  • Mileage: 114,368 miles
  • Color: Blue
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Located in: St. Louis, MO
  • ZCarGuide Condition Assessment: Good

MotoeXotica Classic Cars is happy to offer this 1981 Datsun 280ZX with the Grand Luxury package. This example was made in February 1981 at Nissan’s Shatai Plant in Hiratskua, Kanagawa, Japan. It arrived in the U.S. via the Port of Seattle, Washington and was shipped via truck to Heinrich Motors in Hillsboro, Oregon.

Dressed in Diamond Mist Metallic over Medium Blue Metallic (code 998), the car’s paint and trim are in overall great condition but there are some minor blemishes visible upon close inspection. The windows are clear and intact and the car’s lights are in one-piece and haze-free.

This car’s bodywork is straight, the bumpers fit well to the body, the engine bay is very tidy and the battery looks newer. The cargo area is in decent condition. This car rolls on radials, P195/70R14, and are wrapped around factory six-spoke alloy wheels. The tires and wheels are in overall good order.

Under the forward-hinged hood is Nissan’s 2.8L straight SOHC six-cylinder engine (L28E). The E stood for electronic multiport fuel injection, provided by Bosch using the L-Jetronic system, and is one of the first Japanese-produced vehicles to introduce the technology. For 1981 through 1983, the L28E received flat top pistons and a high quench head, raising the compression ratio to 8.8:1. Backing the engine is Borg-Warner’s T-5 five-speed manual transmission, which included one overdrive gear and a lightweight aluminum housing. Driver convenience features include factory air-conditioning, power steering, power four-wheel disc brakes, power windows, power sideview mirrors, dual six-way power seats, power antenna, cruise control, remote hatch release, rear defroster and rear wiper, updated sound system, tinted windows and factory T-tops.

Inside, the two-tone theme continues with the Medium Blue (code K) interior with gray accents. The seats, carpet, headliner, two-spoke steering wheel, inner door panels and instrument panel are all in original condition and looks fantastic, though note that the OEM dash pad is showing blemishes. The center console and the shift lever are both in good order. Completing the interior is a factory AM/FM stereo with cassette deck.

The 280ZX was a complete redesign, retaining only the L28 inline six-cylinder engine and other driveline components from the 280Z. Both two-seat and four-seat (2+2) designs were offered. Compared to the more overtly sporting earlier models, the 280ZX was a much softer, heavier car, with less focus on driving and more on driver comfort and refinement. Softer suspension, better sound insulation, more comfortable seats and ample equipment, including high-end audio systems defined the new ZX.

In the spirit of the times, emissions controls and aerodynamics were markedly improved over the first generation Z-cars, while weight was down somewhat as long as the buyer did not pick much from the very long options list. The exterior design was evolutionary, less rounded and with better-integrated safety bumpers. Many parts, including the rear-axle and the power steering came from the Datsun 810 luxury sedan. Most of the design effort went into the entirely different and much more modern interior. The car became a grand tourer rather than a sports car, particularly in the plush Grand Luxury versions.

Documentation includes original window sticker, original EPA Fuel Economy rating guide and original additional equipment dealer sticker.

Competition to this Datsun in 1981 included Alfa Romeo’s GTV6 2.5, the Avanti II, Chevrolet’s Corvette, Honda’s Prelude, Mazda’s RX-7 and Toyota’s Celica Supra.

Buy to drive as is and enjoy while the 280Z market keeps on climbing! Come by MotoeXotica Classic Cars today to see if this car is Z one for you!

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 114,368 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

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