Down On The Street, 1970s, 1978, 280z, alameda, nissan, datsun, malaise

1978 Datsun 280Z

Six months since the last DOTS Datsun Z? What's going on here? Since they don't really rust here, I think the shortage of early Zs on the street has something to do with their hoon-friendly qualities; most of them were wrecked, blown up, or otherwise hooned to death. We know they can take a lot of punishment on the race track, too. I've found a few of the early-80s ZXs I might go ahead and shoot, since now I know we have fans of the Late Malaise Zs here.

I spotted this Middle Malaise Z parked just a few spaces down from the beateriffic Toyota AE86. Naturally, the first thing I thought was "track down the owner and see if he'll sell it for under $500," because this beast has 24 Hours of LeMons written all over it.

Of course, that was before we found the $100 Volvo. This 280Z has been hit, Bondoed, hit, Bondoed, and then hit some more. The owner finally gave up on the whole rear bumper idea, opting for a devil-may-care bumperless treatment. Now the big tailpipe serves as sort of an extra-traumatic parallel-parking proximity indicator.

You never know- maybe this car will continue to soldier on in its present condition for another 20 years before being crushed (or made into a LeMons racer). Or maybe it will be painstakingly restored and auctioned for a trillion yen in the year 2036.

First 150 DOTS Cars

9:30 AM on Wed Feb 6 2008
By Murilee Martin
2,511 views
31 comments

Comments

Dr.Danger is in Denial at 09:37 AM on 02/06/08
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Something about it. Maybe because I really like the Datsun Z cars, but I would take it as-is.
JantheMan at 09:39 AM on 02/06/08
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It looks like it is from a movie I saw featuring men in strange mullets that fight eachother over gas..

Mad Max is based on a true story?...right?
FightingChance at 09:45 AM on 02/06/08
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My dad had a 240Z once. It was a pretty cool machine.
Ash78 at 09:45 AM on 02/06/08
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@JanTheMan: I think that was from an episode of COPS.
Dr.Danger is in Denial at 09:45 AM on 02/06/08
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@JanTheMan: Yes, the events happened just after the "Escape from L.A." crisis.
Buckster at 09:49 AM on 02/06/08
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PCH?
FЯeeMan at 09:51 AM on 02/06/08
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Is it me, or are the wheels notquite centered in their wheel wells? Maybe there's more to bondo than meets the eye.
JantheMan at 09:52 AM on 02/06/08
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@ash78: @Dr.Danger: Yesterday I saw a butterfly and dreamt about boxy black yachts..Have you?
POLAЯBEEЯ at 09:59 AM on 02/06/08
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@Buckster: Project Car Heaven?
thatguy01 at 10:16 AM on 02/06/08
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The number of unfinished external repairs suggests that the mechanicals aren't any better, but wouldn't it be sweet to find a cheap, good running early Z with such perfect urban camo? It would be like owning a mobile Batcave.
UDMan at 10:24 AM on 02/06/08
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@FreeMan: I noticed that too, but maybe, that's the way they were in the 70's, only we never noticed it!
ViergangFuchs at 10:30 AM on 02/06/08
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Black Go... er, white Bondo!
POLAЯBEEЯ at 10:48 AM on 02/06/08
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At a local bar in Alameda...
.
Z owner: Hi, come here often?

Woman: No, I'm new in town.

Z owner: Well maybe I could drive you around and show you the sights?

Woman: Well that depends, what kind of car do you drive?

Z owner: I drive a heavily modified Z.

Woman: In that case I can't wait! Let's go.

Walks out to car

Woman:AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lemondriver at 10:53 AM on 02/06/08
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@POLAR: If by heaven you mean putting many man hours and 10's of thousands of dollars in it only to end up with an AWESOME vehicle that is worth about 3295 max- then, yes.
POLAЯBEEЯ at 11:08 AM on 02/06/08
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@lemondriver: POLAR has a special place in his heart for the '70s Toyota, Datsun and Mazda metal. Even if if is mostly rotted away.
NovaloadMissesPolar at 11:11 AM on 02/06/08
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I think there was a little asymmetry in the rear wheel well but this looks like too much.
Still, that just adds to the guerilla beater attitudinous presence of the beast.
freds4hb at 11:27 AM on 02/06/08
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There will be a 1977 280z at Lemons

[scuderiaprc.wordpress.com]

See you there!
snarktastic at 11:35 AM on 02/06/08
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@FreeMan: Yeah that was the first thing I noticed. I believe the 280 has IRS so it probably took a hit and bent the arms or trashed some bushings.
Murilee Martin at 11:48 AM on 02/06/08
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@freds4hb: Oh man! That emblem is perfect!
FLB at 11:56 AM on 02/06/08
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I'd be pretty curious to look at the floor panels.
POLAЯBEEЯ at 12:07 PM on 02/06/08
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@FLB: More like check for them.
Dr.Danger is in Denial at 12:22 PM on 02/06/08
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@POLAR: Or if they are there, what percentage is left.
akirachan at 01:03 PM on 02/06/08
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This is the sexiest thang I've seen in a long time: NO bumper stickers either to maim the flesh...ahhh, rust like heaven...
freds4hb at 01:42 PM on 02/06/08
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@MurileeMartin Can't wait to meet your bunch (we're up here in the east bay too)

Glenview representing,,
nahh, can't say it with a straight face.
gr8scotNY at 01:43 PM on 02/06/08
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If you buy that for the Lemons Race I will hunt you down and give you a permanent mullet. It needs a modern restification with a newer motor and underpinnings...
poxpopulus at 01:43 PM on 02/06/08
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Evidently There's no middle ground in Alameda; either old cars have unnaturally unblemished bumpers or none at all.
POLAЯBEEЯ at 02:31 PM on 02/06/08
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@Dr.Danger: I'm going with the low 40's for this one.
whatwouldjessedo at 03:53 PM on 02/06/08
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@freds4hb:

I rep'ed Glenview until just a few years ago when I moved to Alameda. There is a healthy amount of DOTS-esque cars around there as well.
whatwouldjessedo at 03:56 PM on 02/06/08
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the '70s Zs are probably some of the best looking cars ever made. There is not a single panel on these cars that could be designed better. And that long nose gave you plenty of room to swap in any motor you want...
13thfloorelevator at 06:44 AM on 02/07/08
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That is a fine-looking vehicle. It's right up there with the Plymouth Satellite as 'car most likely to have a dead hooker in the trunk'.
FuzzyPlushroom at 05:50 PM on 02/08/08
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Must... own...

I seriously love that missing bumper.