1977 280Z, Value? What to look for?

[Threehz]

First of all, hello Zilvia, I've been looking around and through lots of posts and all the stickies looks like a great forum with great members!

So I've never owned a Z car before, let alone very many cars period. However it's always been my dream to restore and drive a Z. I've been looking around for the right one and I've found a 1977 280Z 2-seater that looks to fit my needs. It's been sitting in a driveway since about 2002/2003, luckily under a 'ramada'. I haven't looked at it in detail, at all, yet. It has the original paint and decals, which are in great shape from what I've seen. It has 150,000 to 160,000 miles on it. The owner says it was running fine in 02/03 but hasn't been run since. I don't know much more about it right now because I haven't had a real look at it yet.

I plan on going down to look at it in detail next weekend but I'd like to get a better idea of what to look for. In searching around I've found that there are some key areas to check out on these vehicles, certain hinges and what-not.

So any help as to what things I should pay the most attention to, or special areas I should inspect would be very much appreciated.

Also he gave me a quote on what he's willing to take for it however I don't know if this is a good price or not. (I know of course all the details of it's condition are key to determining this.)

Considering the tires on it are long flat and destroyed, but the wheels look good, and assuming it has very minor rust, but also assuming the engine and transmission (manual) will both need to be rebuilt, what would a general price range be on this vehicle?

Thank for your time and any help anyone can provide!

[SlideKing92]

Go with a 240z or a 260z, its pre 1975 then you dont have to worry about smog, also I believe the 280z was kinda the fatty of the 3, they added more stuff to the car to be more comfortable but it made it heavier and slower. But thats my oppinion


good luck

[ayuaddict]

i would personally look for a pre-'74 240z.

simpler electronics.
round top SU's.
small bumpers (and no holes behind them).
the interior is much nicer.
etc.

[Threehz]

Alright well that's actually some good knowledge and I think there's at least one 240 body available locally right now I've found, don't know the condition but I guess I'll check that out.

Anyhow I'd still like to know if there are any key areas to look for rust, like areas that would be very expensive to repair if rusted over?

Thanks

[jdizzy204]

main areas to check for rust are the floor pans, frame rails, battery tray, doglegs (front and rear areas where rear qtr panel/front fenders meet the side skirt), and the rear hatch. If you see rust in these areas, i can guarantee there is more in the less obvious areas. ALL of these cars have rust unless it was garaged from day one or restored.

If you find one without rust in these areas, you should be good to go.

ninja edit: seeing how you are in AZ, finding a Z in good condition will be a bit easier as opposed to people on the east coast and up north.