Vehicle Description
Classic Car Addict is proud to present this one-owner 1982 Datsun
280ZX for sale in our Mesa, Arizona showroom. This 1982 Datsun
280ZX was purchased new by the current owner in Las Vegas and spent
all its life in Arizona. Often compared to the American Chevy
Corvette, the Japanese 280ZX is closer in spirit to a British
Jaguar XJS, for it offered genuine refinement along with
performance. Motor Trend named it the "import car of the year" when
it debuted in 1979.
The 280ZX is said to wear all original paint, which does have some
chips and blemishes, but is in pretty great condition. The 280ZX
was a fresh design; the only thing remaining from the preceding
280Z was the excellent 145-bhp inline six. An abundance of louvres,
moldings and creases make the 280ZX look "busy" but still
attractive. The front of the car is dominated by the plane of the
hood and headlamp buckets, and there is no grille as such, just an
air intake under the bumper. Rear fenders are muscular and benefit
from a subtle "Coke bottle" effect enhanced by the high beltline. A
thick lower body molding encircles the car, emphasizing length.
The interior is a masterful piece of early-'80s Japanese
techno-lux. Supportive seats are covered in rich-feeling red velour
that stops just short of being garish. The factory stereo is a real
gem - the cassette deck is equipped with a counter, just like a
home hi-fi. All the usual gauges are present, plus Nissan's trick
two-part fuel readout with a secondary needle that engages when
you're down to the last quarter of a tank. This secondary needle
really lets you eke out every drop of fuel before queuing for gas.
This wasn't a gimmick; fuel shortages had been a reality in the
'70s and no one knew if the '80s might bring more of the same.
This Z is a naturally aspirated example, and its 2753CC
overhead-cam inline six provides silken power delivery. The Z
starts without hesitation and settles into a quiet idle. Power
delivery is linear with excellent mid-range punch given the power
to weight ratio. It is a common misconception that the 280ZX's L28
engine is less powerful than the L24 engine of the 1970 240Z or the
L26 engine of the 260Z; the difference is due to Nissan adopting
the SAE net standard of power measurement, which resulted in lower
power ratings than the earlier gross figures and added emissions.
However, Nissan designers deliberately sacrificed raw acceleration
for improved fuel economy in the 280ZX.
If you're the sort of enthusiast who likes to engage in serious
touring, the 280ZX deserves a hard look because it can cover vast
distances with comfort. Japanese iron of every sort has been
getting a lot of attention lately. The 280ZX is a car to keep a
close eye on. Call Classic Car Addict today at 480-256-1459. And
don't forget to visit our social media pages, Facebook, Instagram,
and our YouTube channel all under Classic Car Addict LLC.
