People don’t seem to tick the ‘red everything’ box on the spec sheet anymore. Body? Red. Seats? Red. Dashboard? Red. Steering wheel? Red. And so on… One reason for not doing this perhaps is that you end up with a cross between Satan’s personal ride and a motorised boudoir.
Still, this didn’t bother people in the early eighties, especially those who drove Datsun sports cars, such as this 280ZX. Obviously the daddy of all Z cars would be the 240Z, but prices are way out of Shed of the Week’s grasp (except for this one with ‘some rust’ ) but perhaps this is the next best thing (OK it’s probably not but go with me on this one).
Unlike later Zs the 280ZX retained similar styling to the S30, which appeared way back in good 'ol ’69. The ZX replaced the 280Z in late 1978 and went on to become Motor Trends Import Car of the Year, but I guess the merit of this depends on how many different cars America was importing at the time.
It may have looked similar but it was a complete redesign, wearing a more slippery shape and it boasted better economy in the face of the oil crisis. The one thing that was retained was the straight six, 2.8-litre engine, although it was less powerful and the car was heavier, which meant the 280ZX was actually a slower car.
It had become more of a grand tourer, slightly more comfortable but less focused. In 1982 Nissan gave the car a number of revisions, including revised spring rates and sway bars. It was finally replaced by the 300ZX, which altered the familiar look and made way for a new generation of Z cars.
The Datsun 280ZX (this was around the time that Datsun was turning into Nissan) we found on classiccarsforsale.co.uk is red. It also has aftermarket spoked alloy wheels which are in keeping with the rest of the car, but apart from that it is standard. There’s a brand new MOT and five months tax. Seems to be a pretty straight example, and all for just £1,000. So go on, be a bit different and get some red into your life…
Ad reads: 'Straight six 2.8 2+2 tagra in red,new Mot and 5 months tax all standard with new rear shocks and bushes,every day use 3 new tyres,very good on fuel i was suprised. £1,000'
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