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Picking up a 1977 280z today, what to look out for?


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Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and today I'll be picking up my very first Z. It's a silver 1977 280z coupe with a 5 speed manual gearbox. Any recommendations of what I should be looking for?

 

I bought the car site unseen at an auction. Yeah I know, not the greatest idea but I got a good deal on the car. I do know from a dealer I saw the car at a while back that the frame rails might have some rust spots but the seller listed the car as "free from rust and structural damage". Luckily the seller won't get his money until we bother agree the car is as advertised so I can still low-ball the shit out of hem. (The seller was bragging to the dealer how he would make a massive payday trough the auctions the dealer told me. But guess what, he lost money on it)

 

My plans for the car are to just get it road worthy for now and then upgrading it over time. I was thinking about rear disk brakes, ITB's with new engine management and some carbon fiber body parts like the hood, fender flares, spoiler and aero bumper. After the cosmetic upgrades I'll be painting the car Nissan Midnight Blue as I just love the color. And yes the car is loosely inspired by the anime Wangan Midnight I saw when I was a kid. Call me a week but it was my first interaction with the S30 chassis and I loved them ever since.

 

IMG-20250808-WA0013.jpg.c47be44023d2316d1f85efcdc958cbda.jpg

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Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on your new purchase.  She looks like a beauty...the late-model 280 with a 5 speed is a desirable combination for a street car that gets driven often.  While not as functional as the usual heavy 5mph bumpers, the thin bumpers are much nicer looking IMHO.  I'd be interested to know what differential the car has (an R200 would be nice, but certainly not necessary).

 

Unless you're planning to upgrade the front brakes and get a larger master cylinder (and track the car), rear disc brakes are really not necessary.  The stock aluminum drum brakes on the rear are more than adequate for any street driving...and even the occasional auto-x or time trial event.  There are several good discussions here on how to maximize performance from the stock rear drums.

 

Lots of good forums and groups on social media for the S30; but another forum I like is ClassicZCars.com, especially for information on original restorations.

 

Good luck with your planned mods & upgrades, and please keep the updates coming!!  👍

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