1980 Datsun 280zx 10th Anniversary Edition Red & Black

For sale is a unique piece of Datsun Z-car history: my rare Red and Black 10th Anniversary Edition 280zx with only 66,684 original miles. One of only 500 red/black produced, my car is series number 698 of the total 3,000 AE's made. I amthe second owner of this beautiful car, and it has been proudly owned and maintained by both.

This is an all original 280zx. It has not been restored; it has not been repainted; it has not been re-upholstered. It is a true survivor in every way, and the condition of the vehicle speaks to the care it has always received.

Unlike most Z-cars of the era, this car has no rust. Not only is the body rust-free, there is no obvious/visible rust on the underside (undercoated when new). The car has always been stored indoors, and the original paint has been preserved very well. The interior is equally nice, featuring burgundy leather seats, a clean, stain-free interior with no smoke or pet smells, and a crack-free original dash with functioning gauges.The seats are soft, and the interior pieces have not been baked by the sun.The electronic functions work properly (power windows, power antenna, radio, etc.), and the A/C blows cold. Since it nevercomes out in the rain, I have literally never even tried the wipers but I assume they work too.

The Z runs and drives beautifully. It has recently been gone over by a reputable shop to ensure ideal driveability. Items addressed include: rear hatch struts, spark plugs, wires, distributor, belts, fuel filter, oil pan gasket, coolant temp sensor, oil & filter change, and MAF and timing adjusted. The car idles, accelerates and stops as it should. The 5-speed transmission shifts smoothly, and the steering is tight. The car tracks straight with no pulling to either side, and no wobbles.The tires are excellent with lots of tread-depth and no defects. The wheels are in excellent condition and show no oxidation or curb rash.

This is a great looking and driving car that attracts attention whenever it leaves the garage (good weather only). It is 40 years old, however, and it has been driven in the real world, so it is not perfect. Some items to note are: The front end of the car has its share of tiny chips in the paint. They are not really visible from 10 feet away, but they are present - primarily on the hood, with a few inside the red headlight scoops. There are a few other minor paint imperfections around the car, such a couple smallpaint chips in the passenger side mirror cover, and a very small blemish on the driver's door - otherwise the paint is in very, verygood original condition. Typical of these cars, the gold-colored hood and rear hatch emblems have some flaking issues. There is some slight wear on the driver's side seat bolster from 40 years of sliding in and out of the seat which can easily be color-corrected by an upholstery shop. The headliner sags a little, but it has not shrunk nor has it actually come out of the ceiling moldings. It isbarely noticeable, and a simple fix with glue. There is a small hole in the carpet in the driver's side foot-well beneath the floor mat. There is a very very slow oil drip from the front of the car which my mechanic believes may be from the rear main seal. It is so slight that I took his recommendation and left it as is. Having listed these points, I will accommodate a vehicle inspection as best as I can.Overall this is an absolutelybeautiful original AE 280zx with a few minor imperfections which do not detract from the overall aesthetic or driveability of the car. With very little effort the car could easily be a "10”.

Of course this baby is equipped with all the trimmings that a 280zx from 1980 should have, like side moldings, mud flaps, raised white letter tires, factory pin-stripes and removable T-tops. Who needs aDelorean to go back in time when you're cruising in this time-capsule?!

Notable goodies included in the sale are: the original sun-shades and t-top bags, an original OEM nose bra (in bag, in mint condition, with instructions), an original Datsun 280zx accessory brochure from 1980, a 1980 Datsun product line brochure, a Datsun 280z & zx compilation book of articles, and a factory service manual. The car's entire service history is present in the form of receipts, along with the original window sticker, an Anniversary Edition-stamped owner's manual, and a letter from Datsun thanking the owner for purchasing this special edition car. There is even a hand-written logbook detailing every gasoline fill-up for the first 24 years.

This has been a bucket-list car for me, as I grew up in the 80's with 280zx posters tacked to my bedroom walls. A red & black Anniversary Edition is the epitome of retro-cool, and I know there will never be another opportunity for me to find one of this condition and pedigree. With a new toy coming, however, I'm regrettably offering this beauty to the next enthusiast to enjoy.

A final note: I am not a mechanic, but as far as I understand it, the car is mechanically up to date (as described above) and ready for a new owner. As such, thecar is being sold As-Is with no warranty offered or implied. The car will be sold with a copy of my Connecticut registration form and a Bill of Sale (CT does not issue titles to vehicles this old). Please check with your local DMV to be sure these documents are all that will be needed for you to register the car in your state. Buyer is responsible for shipping.

I have done my best to describe the condition of this car. Feel free to ask any question and I'll be happy to answer them to the best of my ability.

Thanks!