Have you ever looked at your car and thought, I can do better that that? The owner of today's Nice Price or Crack Pipe 280ZX must have, as this turbo ZX has been customized from stem to stern. Does its price however, have you saying, you can do better that that?
With the introduction of the S130 280ZX in 1979, Datsun made it clear that the last vestiges of their being a maker of small, lithe sports cars was, for the time, over. The new ZX literally X-ed out that category at the brand for a decade or more, to be replaced by grand tourers and wannabes.
The ZX was in many ways vastly improved over its S30 predecessor - it was far more aerodynamic which improved both fuel efficiency and high speed stability, and it was significantly larger affording more interior room for lardastic Americans. Steering and braking were also improved over the decade-old designs of the S30.
But in far more ways the ZX turned its back on the sports car loving buyers of the earlier cars. The rear suspension eschewed the S30's Chapman struts for a semi-trailing arm setup shared with the 810. Along with that regression came softer spring rates carrying a significantly heavier load due to safety and emissions requirements. As a final ignominy, the 280ZX was the last of the Z cars to carry the Datsun name, a marque that will forever be associated with fabulous 510s, sexy 240Zs and freaky-deaky F-10s. After the ZX, they all carried the corporate Nissan name.
One of the bright spots in the 280ZX lineup was the 180-bhp turbo engine, which is what today's wildly custom '83 ZX convertible carries under its iconic NACA-duct equipped hood. With hips as pronounced as a Kardashian's and T-Top header, it's not surprising how easily the ZX converted to drop-top form, which the seller here says was professionally accomplished. What is surprising however, is that the car actually has a working top, albeit one that needs some sort of magic glue, purported by the seller.
It also apparently needs door handles, as those seem to have gone missing, and if your not into such things, it may require a new set of front fenders as the customized editions here, carrying late model Celica headlights, look like ass. But that's just my humble opinion. In fact as I see it, this ZX pretty much looks like somebody's project about which they have lost interest. There are different sets of wheels and different seats apparent in the pics and an interior shot that shows a car with a beer tap five speed and ‘80s-yummy digital dash - and a layer of dust that implies the car has been sitting in a corner of a body shop for a while.
The fact that it may be incomplete does not obviate the potential of the basic car - and a convertible ZX turbo would likely be a hoot to own and drive. Plus, buying the seller of this one is attempting to sweeten the deal with the offer to throw in 4 very expensive, light weight racing rims with soft compound racing slicks. Sure, those may just be a set of bald tires, but doesn't that sound thrilling?
The price too may either thrill or repel depending on your proclivity towards the ZX and the chance to drive a rag top edition. The seller has apparently lowered the price to $5,200 for his Seattle-located car, and it's now time to let him know if that new price is one that will now have buyers banging on the door, or if this ZX's price is still too Z-excessive.
You decide!
Seattle Craigslist or go here if the ad disappears.
H/T to Riley Schreck for the hookup
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