While it sports the six-spoke 14" rims of a later Series II car, the B-pillar trim identifies this Light Brown Metallic Datsun 280ZX as Series I model from 1981.
This was the third model year of the S130 Z-car. Set apart from the earlier cars by its "X" suffix, the 280ZX was a plusher, more GT-oriented vehicle than the original Z.
Under the hood for 1981 was the Nissan L28E inline six, a 2.8L SOHC 12V motor with Bosch multiport fuel injection making 132 SAE net horsepower in North American trim and could be had with either a five-speed manual or a three-speed auto.
Road & Track tested an '81 280ZX with the GL (for "Grand Luxury") package and the three-speed auto. Hampered with the slushbox, the zero-to-sixty time was a Malaise Era typical 10.2 seconds and it took 18.1 seconds to clear a quarter mile, strolling through the traps at 80mph. It circled the skidpad at 0.76g and topped out at 111 miles per hour.
Price as tested, including the $1,704 GL package, $295 automatic transmission, $635 a/c unit, and $600 t-tops, came to $13,133, which comes to about $46,500 in 2025 dollars.
North of the Ohio River, up here in road salt country, a Z-car in this condition is an uncommon sight. The drivetrain is the next thing to bulletproof, but they'll rust in front of your eyes.
This one was photographed in September of 2017 using a Ricoh GR Digital 2.
The early Z-cars look so much lighter and more nimble than the brawny versions that came later.
ReplyDeleteAgree!
Delete