A bit dusty, but looking like I remember. Going to be busy with a new project this summer and glad to have a classic sports car again. 1977 with Zx wheels I believe.

Actually damn excited - I've known this car for over 30 years. One of my closest friends-who I grew up with-recently had his father pass. His dad was a Vietnam vet who flew F4s, including Igloo White missions. He was part of a Bonanza club and the two of us spent a lot time in the right seat over the years. His dad wrapped up active duty as a flight instructor at Homestead. I seem to recall many of his squadron buddies had Datsuns, including one guy who was flying SR71s with a cool 240z. We both loved his dad's 280, but never drove it. Would see it over the years and he always kept it up.

When he passed, his daughter took the Z. Fast forward to a few weekends ago and we fly up to Sun n Fun flying in my friend's new 1968 Cherokee 180 along with his sister's husband (PIC - buddy is still building hours and made the smart choice). At airshow and having fun getting them both to spend money on new aviation toys...over a beer ask whatever happened with Z? Brother in law asks if I want it? We talk a bit and willing to pass along to me and "keep it in the family" for what $$ they have in it. They both knew they can make double or more his money selling to someone else. I tell him to do it (not up for that much $$), but they (and sister) decide they'd rather I have the car.

So earlier this week paid a car transport company for a Monday pickup, fedexed the check and bill of sale. Excited - first time I'm seeing the car since 2004, like a Time capsule. Forgot how original it was - dirty but no rust and paint is mostly like new. When it gets here need to decide what to do? Keep it original and make it like new...or upgrade suspension, brakes, etc. - maybe even change EFI to carb (dual SU). Whatever I choose will be fun . Will post more pics - buddy is cleaning off the Texas dust and will send when clean.

I had no intention of getting a car, but two weeks later guess I'm a new owner. Life is funny in a good way.

I remember considering buying one (new) in 1983, and it would have been a far better choice than the POS I ended up getting.

Yours looks as nice now as the new one on the dealership floor did. Congratulations!

BTW, I vote for a restoration. There were plenty of modded z's over the years, and it would be nice (and probably more valuable) if you keep it stock.

Nice. I love those....my youngest aunt had a beater 260Z for a while when I was a kid and I drooled over that car.

I would either learn to tune the SU carbs (not hard) or replace them with Weber DGV. No reason to convert to EFI at all.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I would either learn to tune the SU carbs (not hard) or replace them with Weber DGV. No reason to convert to EFI at all.

The 280 is fuel injected. He wants to go the other way, injected to carbed. If it were mine I wouldn't do it.

Another vote for keeping it stock. Carbs aren't hard to work on, and the feel of a well tuned old school motor is a thing of beauty.

quote:

Originally posted by egregore:

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
I would either learn to tune the SU carbs (not hard) or replace them with Weber DGV. No reason to convert to EFI at all.

The 280 is fuel injected. He wants to go the other way, injected to carbed. If it were mine I wouldn't do it.

The 280's first year was '75 with '76 the first with fuel injection, so unless the engine was changed, it is definitely injected. No way would I change it to carbs were it mine. Way too much trouble and for no gain.

Those are 1982-83 ZX 14" wheels for certain.

Congrats! That is a nice looking Z.

Love those things, almost bought a Bob Sharp prepared 240z way back but couldn't swing it at the end, then dated a girl with a 280z, a lot of fun driving that car..Good luck with it.

Thanks all. I know SU carbs quite well, rebuilt and ran a couple of MGBs. Last one was a 1971 that I overboree, installed lotus dome top pistons, heavier cam, and ported / polished.

Advantage of carbs is you can tune for more power, put in a cam, etc. with EFI no CAM and head work won't buy you much - ne d to go aftermarket EFI like Megasquirt. BUT if this turns out as original and nice as I thought it was I'll probably go through and keep stock and just make the as is perfect. Will get the car here and on the lift and go through then decide. 100% it will get some Rota RB or Koenig rewinds, strut and shock updates + springs.