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Author Topic: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z  (Read 7132 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« on: April 24, 2015, 06:29:28 am »

The One.
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Offline redman

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #1 on: April 24, 2015, 08:30:59 am »
The Datsun Z-Cars series starting from the 240Z is what really changed Japanese cars for me, from just cheap copy appliances to something on their own.

A great classic.
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Offline johngenx

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #2 on: April 24, 2015, 09:01:49 am »
An early 70's 240Z looks better than just about anything on new-car showroom floors today.  Fantastic, gorgeous design that most people could afford.
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Offline Gurgie

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2015, 09:49:25 am »
A buddy of mine has a 78 280Z, pretty much identical to this car, but it has the optional 5 speed.  Drove it last summer and couldn't get over how silky smooth that inline 6 was... very torquey as well. 

Great story!!
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Offline aquadorhj

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2015, 10:22:34 am »
DAMMIT Brendan.     i almost skipped over this article, but wow... 

great writing and it's much appreciated!
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Offline Noto

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2015, 10:32:01 am »
Amazing timing that this should be posted.  I heard this on the radio en route to work this morning:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/04/23/owner-reunited-with-his-bluebird-a-stolen-vintage-sports-car.html
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Offline jyarkony

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2015, 11:10:30 am »
Speaking of which, here's another story of a long-lost Z, courtesy of our own DriverJeff:  http://www.autotrader.ca/newsfeatures/20140910/find-of-the-week-1981-datsun-280zx/#UIJEOd3qeAGGS6Xd.97
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Offline Schmengie

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2015, 11:46:13 am »
Interestingly, just yesterday morning I saw an identical Z right down to the blue paint and the hubcaps come driving down our street. Wow... :bow:
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Offline nlm

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2015, 01:06:19 pm »
Well written article, thanks!
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Offline Whofan

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #9 on: April 25, 2015, 04:11:52 am »
My Friend had a white Z280, /w the tinted windows and we rode on the back lying down, mega illegal now, but it was fun, specially with a girlfriend at the time.  Yes, looking back it was really unsafe, but with a two passenger car, was the only way to get 4 people in :)

Also, too bad there is no picture of the dash, it has the best gas gauge I have ever seen in a car.  It would have a needle for the total gas amount the then a smaller gauge inside for the 1/4 that was left.  We use to be really broke in those days and measuring how much gas was left, it was important.

Good memories... to bad it probably all rusted away... and that straight 6 was awesome.
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Offline Allen

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #10 on: April 25, 2015, 09:18:01 am »
I had an 83 280, loved it  ;D
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Offline blur911

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #11 on: April 25, 2015, 10:16:51 am »
Quote from: NoTo on April 24, 2015, 10:32:01 am
Amazing timing that this should be posted.  I heard this on the radio en route to work this morning:
http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2015/04/23/owner-reunited-with-his-bluebird-a-stolen-vintage-sports-car.html

That was all over my Facebook feed, I seem to know a lot of Z-car owners.
In fact, my mechanic's son is doing the CASC-OR racing school today in one.
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Offline HeliDriver

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #12 on: April 25, 2015, 12:29:43 pm »
Quote from: Whofan on April 25, 2015, 04:11:52 am
My Friend had a white Z280, /w the tinted windows and we rode on the back lying down, mega illegal now, but it was fun, specially with a girlfriend at the time.  Yes, looking back it was really unsafe, but with a two passenger car, was the only way to get 4 people in :)

Also, too bad there is no picture of the dash, it has the best gas gauge I have ever seen in a car.  It would have a needle for the total gas amount the then a smaller gauge inside for the 1/4 that was left.  We use to be really broke in those days and measuring how much gas was left, it was important.

Good memories... to bad it probably all rusted away... and that straight 6 was awesome.

Must have been a Nissan thing. I had an '87 Pathfinder with a similar fuel gauge setup: main gauge on the bottom, then a gauge for 1/4 to E on top.

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Offline 2JDM

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #13 on: April 25, 2015, 01:08:48 pm »
Sweet sweet car.

Question. Where does one find parts for these Japanese classics?
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Offline ArticSteve

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #14 on: April 25, 2015, 01:51:01 pm »
Like everything else; in the USA.  Desire a 25 year and older vehicle ?; best course of action is to emigrate to the USA.  Essentially, private to private sales of used parts don't happen if you're out of country and if you find a retailer/supplier willing to ship to Canada expect x2 total cost which in Ontario includes the 13%.  The worst part is the extended "time" it takes to get stuff.

And it doesn't need to be old.  I'm ordering some small transmission parts for my Mustang from Steeda which is a big Mustang supplier.  Cost of parts are $103 USD with shipping included (USA only).  The only Canadian option for shipping offered is $56. USD via FedX.  That and the $103. can be converted to Canadian dollars and then taxed @ 13% at the border.  Just plain sucks.

In my case I get stuff shipped to my sister and she brings in up.
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Offline Fobroader

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Re: Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #15 on: April 25, 2015, 02:02:27 pm »
Quote from: 1TSX on April 25, 2015, 01:08:48 pm
Sweet sweet car.

Question. Where does one find parts for these Japanese classics?
Blackdragoncars.com or something for oem stuff.

Sent from my Galaxy S3

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Offline Whofan

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Re: Final Drive: 1977 Datsun 280Z
« Reply #16 on: April 26, 2015, 10:16:07 am »
Thanks for the Pic HeliDriver :)
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