1981 Datsun 280ZX

Summary:

The is a classic body style/car

Faults:

I bought this awesome 280zx for a great price, did some minor body work on it, headlight covers, and a paint job. Bumpers painted and interior cleaned up pretty good. The cruise light comes on, but when you try to set the cruise it doesn't set. Anyone have any suggestions??? And specifically how to repair this?

It seems to be in excellent condition other than some rear seat damage to the top edge. I am looking for a right rear tail light, and info on repairing this cruise control.

General Comments:

This car handles like new, very tight steering and a pleasure to drive. Takes me back to when I was 20 years old driving my 1977 280z.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th September, 2006

21st Dec 2006, 20:51

I had the same problem with my cruise control. Theres a cable that goes from your throttle arm to a vaccum thing in the engine compartment. The vacuum is over on the left side of the car in front of the battery. The cable connects to the throttle a few inches forward from the firewall. Mine was stuck in place, so when I would set the cruise control it couldent adjust. I just disconnected the cable and tried my best to channel some WD-40 into it which got it to moving again.

1981 Datsun 280ZX 2 + 2 2.8L In-line 6

Summary:

A diamond is forever.

Faults:

This car had sat in a field in the California sun for four years. She was delivered to me on a trailer and pushed onto my drive with 4 flat tires and almost opaque windows from the grime of static age. Long strands of grass grew up through the engine bay and the remains of a squirrel's lunch was scattered across the exhaust manifold.

I attached a battery to utterly rotten, green and brown cables.

I opened the filler cap and poured 2 gallons of premium and injector cleaner into the tank.

I checked the brake fluid, power steering and the radiator. I found no fluid in the master cylinders and no water in the radiator. I filled them all.

I checked the vacuum hoses and re-cut them.

I checked the engine oil. It was black and thick and right on the max line.

I got in and turned the key to accessories. The dash lights flickered on just like in a movie.

I tried the indicators and after the third or fourth switch they started to flash.

I worked my way through every switch and function in this way, coaxing her back to life and, to my increasing delight, found that EVERY switch and function worked, every bulb lit and the radio crackled like a WWII wireless.

I turned the key to 'on' and watched more dash lights flicker on.

I held my breath and turned the key one stage further.

Nothing.

My eyes became slits as my mind raced over the possible reasons for the failure. I jumped out and ran round to the battery cables where I could see that the corrosion on the cables was inhibiting the flow of power. I cleaned those contacts with a furious and urgent energy and then sprang back into the leather cockpit.

I turned the key once again and a miracle happened...

My Z roared to life, belching and spluttering, the revs wandered up and down searching for a steady place to rest.

She sat on my drive and hummed like an old smoker, defying time and weather to beat her yet.

She now has all new cables, leads, plugs and fluids. She's been gapped, greased and tidied up ready for a fresh coat of paint.

General Comments:

I love this car. Fast as a rocket, hard as a tank.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th May, 2003

16th Jun 2003, 10:48

This car is slow, have you driven a later model performance car?

22nd Feb 2004, 16:58

Lol

OK, first of all, this car's engine has a LOT of potential because it's an inline.

Stock, its what 135 bhp or so? add turbo, it's a 6 sec car

OK, now... you can increase the bhp up past 230

... think about that now... it can still smoke a lot of cars today :D.

Just if it is stock, it starts to lose at higher speeds.