1979 Datsun 280ZX Hatchback with Automatic Transmission

REVISION UPDATE BELOW!

This is a 1979 Datsun 280ZX it has been brought back to life with many of the engine components replaced and inspected, it starts right up just how a low mileage car should and it runs smoothly on the street, the interior is outstanding and really takes you back to 1979!

The only real issue is the paint, it’s disappointing that it didn’t last like the rest of the car, it’s definitely the worst part and could really use a new coat of paint. There are spots around the windshield and hood where the paint has bubbled up.

If paint isn’t something that really bothers you or if you wanted this car in a different color then this is a really nice car that won’t give you any trouble!

Working features:

Automatic transmission shifts like new

Good condition tires

No cuts or tears in the upholstery

Never smoked in

Power windows

Power mirrors

Power steering

Cabin blower motor

Aftermarket radio

Cruse control turns on but we don’t know how to set it

All of the lights and turn signals work

Non-working features

It has original AC, but we don’t know how to work on it

The hazard light button doesn’t work

The rear glass wiper and sprayer don’t work

Automatic radio antenna doesn’t go up or down.

This car is a genuine barn find, and this is it’s story!

The original owner was a pilot from Arizona and bought the car as it had a similar drivetrain to the corvette but more affordable. He absolutely loved the car even until he passed away he left it in the garage. About two years later his wife wanted to move to New Mexico to be closer to her family and brought the car with her on a tow truck and had it in the driveway for some time (around 6 months or so) and it was then driven to her new house where it was driven into the barn where it was not moved for about 15-16 years. She is a friend of our family so we know about the car and we had seen the car many times but didn’t ask to buy it or anything. When we did ask her about it the problem was that it was in her husband’s name and she didn’t know where the title was. Eventually she did find the title but because it was in her husband’s name she didn’t know how to sell it or anything. We told her if we can get it running then we’ll also find a way to help her sell it she agreed and so the first thing we did was fill the tires and connected a battery (not the smartest idea) as soon as we turned the key to unlock the steering wheel the windshield wipers turned on and sprayed the windshield it was kinda crazy but at least we knew it worked. We then pulled and pushed it out of the barn then attached a winch to pull it onto a trailer then the work began! One of our friends owns a 1980 year of this car that he was rebuilding and he gave us a lot of help to get it started the right way. We took the top end of the engine apart and applied lubricant to the top end of the engine and turned it but hand while inspecting the rotating assembly and other components for ware and rust. Luckily none was present. After changing the engine oil, coolant, fuel, brake fluid, (the brakes were really worn) we made our first attempt to start it, and after about two attempts we realized there was no spark so we replaced the plugs and wires and after that it started super easily! And ran good but the fuel was still bad. The first drive was not too bad it needed new brakes, bearings and all of the joints lubed.

That was in 2018, we absolutely managed to find out how to reassign the title and now it has a clean and clear New Mexico Title! It has been in NM since and we have done everything we can to document everything so far.

UPDATE!

Since that first drive many parts have been replaced and here is a rundown-

The rubber brake lines have been replaced as well as the pads and rotors the rear brake assembly has had a few more parts replaced as recommended. The drive shafts have been replaced because the rubber boots were torn and the joints were dry. The transmission pan was dropped inspected, cleaned and the fluid was flushed and refilled (it shifted fine before and it shifts fine now as well). There were 4 new shocks installed in 2018. Many gaskets and seals were replaced when the engine was opened up for inspection and lubrication. Alternator need to be replaced in 2019. Smaller things like belts, hoses and especially vacuum lines were replaced.

If you are interested in seeing any more pictures or have any questions please feel free to message me and I’ll be happy to help!

I made and uploaded a video to YouTube here in the title and link!

1979 Datsun 280ZX Video Extra

https://youtu.be/BKdoJg31RkY

By far the hardest thing is selling it.

On Jun-02-22 at 12:27:58 PDT, seller added the following information:

THE ACTUAL MILEAGE OF THE CAR IS 80796
I have received a question about the current mileage of the car after driving the car for a video on YouTube and quoting the Item Specifics on eBay, This is NOT the current mileage of the car! I believe that it was entered from the title information but the Actual Mileage is 80796 this is the mileage after the test drive video and will be the same when the buyer receives the car.If you message me I can send you more pictures because eBay won’t allow any more pictures to be added or removed.
Because of this error I’ve double checked everything on this listing and everything else is 100% accurate!
One of the reasons this is so important to note is not only does it affect the value of the car but when we wanted to get the title reassigned the DMV wanted to exempt the odometer reading simply because of it’s age. It took time to gather the necessary amount of proof to show that the odometer displayed Actual Mileage and to have that on the title is well worth the effort.

Again the Actual Mileage of the car is 80796.