Available now is this awesome 1983 Datsun 280zx dressed in all red with black trim accents. This Japanese icon is powered by the L28E is the enlarged 2,753 cc (2.8 L; 168.0 cu in) inline 6-cylinder engine mated to a proper 5-speed manual gearbox. The interior is finished in a black and grey two-tone color pattern and in very good overall condition for the age. The original stereo head unit is present, but sound comes from an aftermarket stereo mounted in the glove compartment.
The 280ZX was a complete redesign, retaining only the L28 inline-six engine and other driveline components from the 280Z. Both two-seat and four-seat (2+2) designs were offered. Compared to the more overtly sporting earlier models, the 280ZX was a much softer, heavier car, with less focus on driving and more on driver comfort and refinement. Softer suspension, better sound insulation, more comfortable seats, and ample equipment including high-end audio systems defined the new ZX. In the spirit of the times, emissions controls and aerodynamics were markedly improved over the first generation Z-cars, while weight was down somewhat as long as the buyer did not pick much from the very long options list. The exterior design was evolutionary, less rounded and with better integrated safety bumpers. Many parts, including the rear-axle and the power steering came from the Datsun 810 luxury sedan. Most of the design effort went into the entirely different and much more modern interior.
Nissan gave the 280ZX a facelift in 1982, with revised NACA ducting in the hood, new alloy wheels (fourteen inch six-spoke alloys for non-turbo models, and fifteen inch four-spoke alloys for turbo models), a revised B-pillar garnish, new pin-stripe style tail-lights, and rubber bumper over-riders replaced the earlier model’s chrome and rubber items. The bumpers were now also body coloured and wrapped around further. Interior changes were minor but included new seat trim styling. The 1982 model also was the first to offer the popular voice warning system, which warned the driver when the headlights were left on after the vehicle was turned off, if the parking brake was on while the vehicle was in motion, and many others. This facelifted model has since come to be called the “Series II” 280ZX.
Power steering became standard equipment with a new rack-and-pinion system, rather than recirculating ball. Changes were made to the rear suspension layout, which also meant the exhaust pipe now exited from the left, rather than right-hand side. The rear brake calipers and rotors were also changed and the drive shafts (half shafts) were upgraded from universal joints to constant velocity joints on certain models.
As in 1981 both turbo and naturally aspirated engines were offered, but non-turbo cars now used the uprated L20E for the Japanese market or the L28E for the export market, which on the 2.8 L version, due to increased compression, were rated at 145 hp (108 kW) rather than the earlier engine’s 135 hp (101 kW). The naturally aspirated 1982 Datsun 280ZX boasted a 0-60 mph time of 9.1 seconds, 1.2 seconds slower than the Corvette of the same year.
The (US market only) 280ZX Turbo was offered with a manual transmission; this was a Borg-Warner T-5 five-speed model. This was one of the first Nissan and Japanese car in general which used a non-Japanese transmission; the T-5 was also used in the GM F-bodies and Ford Mustang in addition to numerous other American domestic vehicles. The T-5 was only available in 1982 and 1983 after which spring rates and sway bars were revised, which largely addressed the handling nervousness of the early 280ZX Turbo, and reviews confirmed that the 1982 280ZX Turbo was the most sporting Z-car since the original 240Z of 1970.
The 280ZX proved successful in various classes of racing, particularly in the US. Significant results include:
1979 SCCA C Production Category (Bob Sharp Racing 280ZX)5 #fn5
1979 and 1980 IMSA GTU Championship (Electramotive Datsun 280ZX)
1982 and 1983 IMSA GTO Championship (Electramotive Datsun 280ZX Turbo)
Price: $16,950
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