***Vendor supplied images***
Highlights
- Impressive, quintessentially 80s Japanese sports coupe
- Attractive black paintwork with beige interior
- Highly original throughout with no major modifications
- Rare right-hand drive, manual transmission example
- Original UK market example, now based in Spain
The Appeal
The Nissan-Datsun ‘Z’ cars were aspirational the moment they hit the market, and still get immense attention to this day; this was the first major coming of the Japanese sports car, and a precursor to that modern bar for quality, comfort and capability.
With its long-nosed, distinctly muscular design, the 280ZX (or Nissan S130, if you so prefer) arrived with masculine curves and a significant eye for a luxurious interior. Packed full of driver comforts, this iteration of the class was a deceptively tough-looking grand tourer.
This example is a rare, right-hand-drive UK market example, with a manual transmission - this is scarce enough, but to make things that little bit sweeter, it’s benefited more recently from the joys of a dry Spanish climate.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered in Chester, UK, in 1981
- By 2015, the car had arrived in Spain
- During its current ownership, it has had a refresh to the paintwork
- Currently indicates 93,207km, which is believed to be accurate
- The car reportedly comes with a valid ITV that has always been kept up to date
- Currently registered in Barcelona
- The car comes complete with:
- Nissan Motor Co. Ltd Service Manual for the engine
- 280XZ owner’s manual
- Warranty and Service Booklet
- A photocopy of a how-to article on servicing the 280ZX
- An impressive selection of invoices
- Original Vehicle Identification card from the car’s dispatch to the UK
- A 1991 copy of the British Z Club magazine
- Information regarding the car’s Spanish Historic Registration
The Interior
- Impressive beige interior
- Seats are in good order with only light signs of wear
- Door cards are in good order with only light wear to the carpet panels
- The brown plastic dashboard carries only light scuffs and marks
- The entire cabin is reassuringly original, right down to the Cassette player and radio
- The tactile instruments are all present and correct
- We’ve been informed of no technical faults throughout
- Switchgear and steering wheel in good order
- All dials are clean and easy to read
- Carpets are clean and well-kept with no substantial rips or tears
- The headlining is in good condition and particularly clean
- The boot is very well-kept with a covered spare wheel stowed away inside
Stepping into the cabin of this 280ZX reveals exactly why this car lurched more towards being a grand tourer than a muscle car. Beautifully kept, every sumptuous brown surface is very nicely presented, with only the gentlest signs of wear and the original cassette player, stereo and air-con units all still in situ.
The Exterior
- Sharply presented, long-nosed ‘muscle’ aesthetic
- Bodywork is in excellent order with no dents or dings
- Panel fit looks good and consistent with no unseemly gaps
- Black paintwork has been refreshed during the current ownership
- It still looks in excellent order with only light scratching and signs of wear
- The branding shows some light wear but looks to be all present and correct
- The glasswork and lenses are in good condition with no significant faults
- The trims and brightwork are equally well-kept with only light signs of wear
- The car is sat on its original alloys which present very nicely
- These are shod in a full set of Michelin tyres
- Underneath, the car shows some gentle corrosion
- However, this appears only to be surface level
From its long bonnet to its sweeping fastback rear, the 280ZX looks like an aggressive piece of kit. It’s no wonder so many drivers sought after them - and this one’s black livery gives an impression of pure muscle from top to tyres. As with the interior, there are some gentle signs of wear, but it’s all of little consequence - and the car ultimately presents superbly for its age.
The Mechanics
- Powered by a 2.8L L28E I6 powerplant
- 5-speed manual transmission
- The engine bay is clean and well-presented
- We’ve not been informed of any leaks, knocks, bangs or smoke
- The car has reportedly kept up to date with its ITVs every year
- We’re not aware of any mechanical issues and it appears in fine fettle
- The vendor informs us that it still starts first time and makes for a very sonorous driver
Popping open the bonnet reveals the charismatic 2.8L L28E - an engine that’s still well regarded and capable, with the car’s engineering pumping straight into comfort to create a very pleasant experience for driver and passenger alike. This example has clearly been pampered, and the vendor notes that it’s still an excellent example of a retro tourer through and through.
Summary
Simply superb - this is a thoroughbred 280ZX that’s been kept in excellent condition. Right-hand drive examples with manual transmission are increasingly scarce, and we expect this one will attract plenty of interest.
BEFORE YOU BUY
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