When vehicles become classics, owners are between a rock and a hard place. Take the first-generation Nissan Z, for example. The original Datsun 240Z was once synonymous with affordable speed. They were some of the winningest IMSA race cars in the 1970s. Converting them into hot rods or road racers has its own subculture.
Now, well-kept examples have skyrocketed in value, and any modifications take away from their originality. What’s an enthusiast—especially one who doesn’t want a beautiful mechanical sculpture just sitting in their garage—to do? Enter the Datsun 280Z, like the one recently for sale on eBay Motors in Miami, Fla.
Shop now for Datsun Z cars
A Heritage of Performance and Style
The Datsun 240Z was the purest and best looking of the breed, thanks to the minimal emissions and safety requirements of the early 1970s. They wore svelte chrome bumpers before the feds mandated five mph safety bleachers that looked like afterthoughts (because they were).
In 1974, it evolved into the 260Z. Despite its larger displacement, horsepower actually dropped, thanks to newfangled pollution mitigation equipment. The system was hard to tune as well, which is why, in 1975, Nissan upgraded to a Bosch fuel injection system and further upped displacement, creating the 280Z.
The 260Z and 280Z make the perfect platform for a custom Z. They’re not as collectible or valuable as the 240Z. And most of the modifications one would make to build the ultimate Z-car can be made to the 260Z and 280Z without fear of “ruining” a classic.
Limitless Potential
The engine is the first thing to be modified. In fact, many Z owners prefer the 2.8-liter straight-six for its greater power potential. Well, the 280Z comes with one, so there’s no need to destroy a pristine early L24 engine. Even if you want to install a stroker kit to up displacement to 3.1 liters, the L28 is the better base. Any smog equipment would be ripped out anyway, so you don’t have to worry about the 260Z’s finicky emissions equipment (which usually didn’t work well from the factory to begin with).
Want to make the body more aggressive? Aftermarket suspension components usually cover the entire generation from 240Z to 280Z. Wheels and brakes are easily swappable as well. There are plenty of kits to give your 280Z the taillights of the 240Z if that’s what you prefer. Countless 280Z bumper conversion kits exist to help ditch the park benches for slim 240Z bumpers (or delete them altogether).
The example for sale checks all the boxes for a basic Z-car build: fender flares, a rear bumper delete, 240Z-style front bumpers, RS-Watanabe-style wheels (these are Rota replicas), and Tein/KYB struts to lower it. An aluminum radiator, Weber side-draft carbs, Toyota brake calipers, MSD ignition, and a free-flowing header and exhaust round out the package.
It’s not show-car quality but could be a fun driver that looks the part of a resto-mod Z. Is the car is worth its asking price? Other well-built examples have sold for nearly the same price. Most importantly, it would be emotionally difficult to justify modifying a clean 240Z into a car like this, but with a 260Z or 280Z, you can do it guilt-free.
Shop now for Datsun Z cars
