Hello,

I have come across a 1978 280Z for sale for 1500.00 but its in rough shape. Has a lot of rust pretty much everywhere and it turns over, but won't start.

If I do purchase the vehicle, I plan on swapping a VQ35DE in there. I am mechanically inclined and can do all the mechanical work and my co-worker has agreed to help out with bodywork; he has a body shop.

My question is, is $1500.00 too much for the shape the car is in?

Here are the pics.

 

$1500.00 NO flippin way!! 500 is pushin it. thats a wreak if there is that much visible whats hidden is gone. you wouldnt want to swap into that it would rip itself apart. what part of texas you in? i know for a fact there are better deals in texas I just spent a yr there not to long ago. you might have to drive aways but itll be worth it ibn the long run.

 

i paid $900 for my ZX with no radiator, rust on the cowl, and on the spare tire well and i still feel like i over paid that is with a working engine that was very clean and a good interior

 

I wouldn't pay no more than $500 if that, it's not even running either. Just looking at the rust it has currently means there is just as much in the hidden areas. I would hold off a little longer and find a cleaner shell.

Unless your looking for a ZX, I know a guy selling one

 

Im in South Texas in the Rio Grande Valley. I have found several other but the owners will not part ways with the cars. I will keep on searching! The rust is just too much on this one... Sad to see it so rusted.

 

You won't believe this but another Z (280Z) that I have been keeping my eye on for over a year just went up for sale on craigslist! This one is in much better shape and owner only wants 2k for it!

 

There u go still has the typical rust which will need to be addressed prior to your swap but a much better start. Still a little high on price but that's around the average that I saw down there. I was in Rockport by Corpus. I was looking to get an s30 when I was there as I had to leave my zx in Cali. Its an auto but the 5 speed swap is easy enough to do. But you should prolly go with the 6 speed with ur swap that'd be sweet. Good luck!

 

Black Z looks like a more solid project, much less cancer.

 

X2

 

X2

Not even worth the $500!!

 

Up in Canada people would be selling that for around $2000 pretty quick. So hard to find a solid Z around here. :'(

 

part it out, but do not even think about trying to fix the rust, from the doors, I can say that most likely the rails and floor are gone. But you might make a few dollars parting out the car.