Description
Nissan 300zx Z31 NA UK RHD registered October 1986
I've owned the car for over 15 years and it has been in my family for over 30 years.
Selling because I simply don't use it anymore and I don't currently have suitable storage for it. It deserves to go to someone who will put the time into completing the restoration and enjoy the car as I have done throughout my ownership.
Currently SORN, with the MOT having expired in 2021. It has therefore been off the road for approx five years and will require recommissioning and an MOT before being returned to regular road use.
The car starts and runs and is mechanically very good. However, given the length of time it has been off the road, it should be regarded as a recommissioning/ restoration project rather than a car that is immediately road-ready. It's had recent work done in 2026 though which I have detailed below.
One working key is supplied with the car. V5C is present in my name & address.
Mechanical work carried out in 2026:
New front and rear anti-roll bar
mounting D bushes
New anti-roll bar end link bushes
New tension rod bushes
New front lower control arm inner bushes
New front and rear brake pads
New tyres
Later 300ZX wheels, refurbished and fitted with the new tyres
New front lower ball joints
New outer track rod ends
New clutch slave cylinder
Master clutch cylinder overhaul with new seals
Cambelt:
The cambelt was replaced approximately seven years ago. The car has covered only around 3, 500 miles since then and, on recent visual inspection, there were no visible cracks or obvious signs of deterioration. However, it is now beyond the recommended time interval for replacement and will need to be replaced before the car is returned to regular road use.
Original and additional parts:
- Original Targa covers
- Original tools minus Jack
- Original metric wheels and centre caps & wheel nuts
- Original black plastic body trim, removed during the previous respray
approx 12 years ago
- Original tape player
- Spare exhaust parts
- Spare windscreen metal trim clips
- Weather strips for around the mirrors
- Spare oil filter
- Other miscellaneous Z31 parts
Bodywork:
This is where the bulk of the remaining restoration work is required, and I want to be completely upfront about it.
There is rust and corrosion in various areas of the bodywork. The car previously had the affected areas repaired approximately 12 years ago when it was resprayed, but further corrosion has developed over the intervening years while the car has been stored outside under a cover.
I've photographed the areas requiring attention in detail. Due to the image limits on this listing, I can provide the additional photographs to any genuinely interested buyer so that the condition of the car and the work required can be properly understood before viewing.
The boot area is in good condition with only minor surface rust and no visible rot. The spare wheel well is also free from visible rot. These areas have been regularly treated with Waxoyl throughout my ownership.
I have not had access to a ramp to carry out a full inspection of the underside, so I will not make claims about areas I have not been able to inspect properly. The underside has, however, been regularly treated with Waxoyl throughout much of the car's life.
Windscreen:
There is a rust hole in the driver's-side lower windscreen aperture beneath the trim. This has contributed to the windscreen cracking and the rusted area will require repair before a replacement windscreen can be fitted.
Other bodywork:
One of the boot-lid gas strut mounting points has corroded away, although the opposite mounting point remains intact.
The Targa roof channels are in good condition overall, with only a small amount of corrosion visible around the edge of the driver's-side channel.
The existing paintwork also requires attention. Given the body repairs required, I would expect a new owner to complete the necessary welding/ bodywork before finishing the restoration with a full respray.
The interior is in very good condition for its age, with only minor blemishes.
The headlining is sagging and was last replaced/ repaired approximately 15 years ago. The centre armrest lid is loose but remains functional.
The lights, electric windows and gauges are all working as they should.
Ownership and maintenance
Much of the maintenance and mechanical work throughout my ownership has been carried out by myself. Consequently, there isn't a huge folder of professional invoices, but I know the car and its history extremely well.
I've deliberately photographed the car extensively, including its good points, original parts, additional parts and, importantly, the areas requiring attention and additional photographs are available to genuinely interested buyers so they can get a complete picture of the car and work required.
This car has been part of my family for over 30 years and has a great deal of personal history attached to it.
It was originally my nan's car. Sadly, she passed away at a young age, after which my grandad used the car for a number of years.
I eventually acquired the 300ZX around 15 years ago and set about restoring it after it had been stood for a number of years inside a garage, carrying out the majority of the work myself. I've covered around 15, 000 miles during my ownership and the car has been a much-loved part of my life ever since.
I've taken it to friends' events and even had the privilege of taking a close friend to their wedding in it. For a long time I never imagined selling it. My intention was actually to keep it and eventually pass it on to my son.
However, time, lack of use and, particularly, the lack of suitable storage have changed things. The car now deserves more than I can realistically give it. My concern is that if I continue keeping it under a cover without having the time and facilities to complete the restoration, it will simply deteriorate further before I get around to it.
So, with a heavy heart, I've decided that the right thing is to let it go to someone who can complete the restoration, put it back on the road and enjoy and cherish it as I have.
I've genuinely enjoyed every moment of owning and restoring this car. I've made countless memories with it, including the time spent working on it myself and taking my late grandad out in it.
Throughout the years it has always been a dependable member of the family. It has started when I've needed it, taken us where we've wanted to go and, despite its age, has never let us down.
It has done me and my family proud.
I'm not selling it because I no longer care about it. Quite the opposite. I'm selling it because I care about what happens to it next and I don't want to leave it sitting until it reaches a point where restoring it becomes impossible or uneconomical.
I'd love to see it finished, back on the road and appreciated by someone who understands what an unusual and special car it is.
Thank you for looking
