JustCustomsColo

Hello I am new to the z car scene but have always admired the vehicles themselves. I finally have a decent opportunity to purchase one of my own but I am not sure if the asking price is as good a deal as I think. So I came to the experts for some opinions. So the car in question is a 76 datsun 280z. The car is owned by a very good friend and has been in his possession for over 5 years. During this time the rod bearing on cylinder one failed and he had the bottom end gone through. Fresh hone, all new rings, bearings and I don't recall of the pistons and rods were reused. The head was left untouched, but the car also got a clutch at that time. The rear drum brakes were also replaced along with new shoes, and hardware. He also removed the mechanical fan and added an electric fan, and an adjustable fuel pressure regulator. The car is driven often and runs well as it sits. However the catch: it is rusty...I mean rusted quarter panels, rocker panels, and front fenders. I may be missing a few panels that will need replaced. The body repairs don't scare me I spent the past two years doing body work in a classic car shop. He offered me the car for $1,000, which I think is a killer deal but I am unfamiliar with the market for these cars.

seth1001

Yeah that sounds like a pretty good deal. If the rusty body doesn't scare you away (as it does most potential Z car buyers) then all you need to do is check the frame for rust and straightness. I would check the floorboards too and make sure you're prepared to change those out or do some weld work if they're rusted out. A 280Z like that in perfect shape would go for $20k. A good body with a blown out engine could go for probably about $6k. A good engine with a rusted out body would usually go for around $3-4k, depending on how bad the body is. In the world of Z cars, the body is more sought after than the drivetrain but if you're able to fix up the body, then go for it. Obviously there are a lot of factors to consider but that's a baseline for you.