Hi all, I guess I am the new guy to the forum. I have been a life long Datsun fan and have owned a few over the years. I have been chasing a 1979 280zx for about 5 years now, and finally was able to buy it.

I have a few questions about it, that I was hoping to get resolved before I decide the direction I want to go with it.

First and for most is how to tell if it is a 280zx-r, I seem to have most of the right options, or lack there of options. It has plain black interior with manual locks, 5 speed, no back wiper, no power steering, but does have the air conditioner. Vin # is HS13014XXXX

It looks like the car has been painted a few time, and don't have a wing. But that could have been removed.

Any Ideas would be helpful

Thanks Dobber

 

here are some pics of the outside, I will add inside pictures soon if these work.

 

Evidently, by adding a picture to my first post it removed it from the forum? I guess I will check with the Admin to see if I am doing something wrong

 

Well I started a gallery, so I have Pictures there. I sent a message to the admin to see if he could get my first post back. Anyways, look at my pics and tell me what you think and if there are any problems to look for on the car. Thanks Lots

 

Welcome to ZDriver!

I can't imagine anyone would "de-zxr" a 280zxr ... but there have been a few greater blasphemous actions in the history of the world.

Click for ZXR history and VIN's ( X'ing out your VIN didn't help ): 280ZXR Page

I'd say you have a base model 280zx with some aftermarket upgrades.

 

Well sounds like it is a plain old 280zx, So was it common to have the 5-speed in 1979? Also my passenger door won't open, I think the rod must have slipped out. Is there a easy fix for that?

 

Yes.

Roll window up, remove inside door panel, take a peek. Be careful when popping loose the plastic rivets (clips). The masonite-underboard likes to pull right apart... then you get to glue them back in place.

They actually make a tool to keep you from committing suicide:

 

Sweet, I was afraid I could not get the panel off with the door shut. I have a friend who does interiors for show and magazine cars, so I will get the tool from him. That rocks I was thinking it was going to be a pain in the but like most cars.

 

Well, the next two things I have to address will be the exhaust and the Idle issues. I think I have a good line one what to do on the Idle based off of the forum posts I searched. The Exhaust I will have to take it to a friends shop and see what is up with it. I know it has a catalytic converter on it but the muffler is gone.

I was thinking of maybe 2 inch or so, and no cat with a standard flowmaster.

 

Well, I figured out my door issue. I was able to pull up on it hard while pushing the inside lock lever back. I am sure that I will find what is making it hard to unlock when I am able to take time to pull the door panel off. I also found that the rod is to stiff to pull up, so when you turn the key to unlock it. It will just make the rod pop out of the lock, but all in all looks like it will be a easy fix.

 

XenonS130 for the FSM - covers pretty much everything to do with your car

Congrats on your new baby. Wouldn't be too worried it's not a ZXR - not really much to it and it was only to be able to race them with the rear wing since it was a "production" car.

MSA would be a good place to get an exhaust for a NA car - I think they are 2 1/2" or so. Not a fan of the muffler they send with it so I just swapped mine out with a different one.