The 510 Realm

Did any one see the 1975 – 78 Datsun Buyer’s Guide: In May 2015 issue of Hemmings?

What To Pay Low Average High
Coup
1975 $5,100 $11,100 $21,600
1976 $4,475 $9,700 $20,000
1977 $4,575 $9,900 $19,400
1978 $4,575 $9,900 $19,400

2+2
1975 $4,675 $10,600 $21,500
1976 $4,250 $9,200 $19,700
1977 $4,225 $9,500 $18,800
1978 $4,225 $9,500 $18,800

Not a lot of later Z people here. Also not real confident that Hemmings knows anything about old Japanese cars.

Z car prices have started to rise significantly in the last few years. Vintage Motorsport added the 240Z,260Z and 280Z as a " Buy now " ( before prices skyrocket ) about a year ago.

Locally ( Metro Vancouver BC ) there's been a strong revival in interest for early Z cars over the past 2 years. Buyers are paying top dollar for restored and rust free 240Z-260Z-280Z cars, ( well... as rust free as a Z car can get ). Very hard for Canadians to find any rust free cars in Canada... so we end up paying to play.

I've been watching these prices as well. I personally think that investing in a late model Z is a great choice if you want to slightly modify any Z. The 240's are valuable and a great choice if you want ROE. But, If you want to modify a series one Z, then to me, a 280 seems the correct way to go. You can get them cheaper and not worry as much about destroying an early series Z, while still retaining the look of one.

Biggest issue with starting with a 280Z is the weight. They are much heavier then the 240Z. The 280Z is more then 500 pounds heavier.

That's a lot of fat to trim before you even start.

While the 280Z is 500 lbs heavier than the 1970/71 240Z it's not as hard to trim weight as people think. Some of the weight is good. EG: Nissan increased the strength and gauge thickness of the body and chassis structure. They used much thicker frame rails on the 280Z than earlier models.

Note: The widely quoted figure of 2875 is for the heaviest year 280Z ( 1978 ) with an Auto trans. The lightest 240Z was 1970/71 models at 2301 with a 4 speed. Later models of 240Z gained weight.


Here's an interesting thread describing some of the differences. Post #6 has some good info:

http://www.zcar.com/forum/10-70-83-tech ... -280z.html

• The 5 mph bumpers and hardware count for 150+ extra lbs over the early 240z. 62lbs vs 207 to 216 lbs depending on year.
  
  Curb weights includes a full fuel tank. The 280Z had a larger fuel tank than the 240z, so Curb or " Wet " weight is raised due to more fuel.
  
  280Z Curb weight was measured with Auto trans??? 280Z is also available with a 5 speed manual. 240Z at 2301 lbs ( 1970/71 model years ) was measured with a 4 speed, which is considerably lighter
  
  R200 Diff weighs more than R180 diff.
  
  280Z came with factory AC which is included in Curb Weight. Heater assembly and controls are also heavier than 240Z.
  
  Extra sound deadening and plush carpets adds weight.
  
  280Z had a larger Radiator and cooling capacity than 240Z.
  
  Tires and wheels are larger and heavier than 240Z.
  
  Exhaust manifold is much heavier on 280Z than early 240Z. Catalytic convertor on 280Z also add weight.
  
  Edit: I believe that the Feds also mandated side impact protection in doors starting in 1975. 240Z's had no door bars.

As stated in attached link, 500 lbs is not unreasonable when you consider what was added. And if you are building a stripped out race car, most of that extra weight will come out. The only exception being the thicker gauge metal used in the frame rails and other stampings. That is not a bad thing as it increases structural rigidity.

Chickenman wrote:The 5 mph bumpers and hardware count for 150+ extra lbs over the early 240z. 62lbs vs 207 to 216 lbs depending on year.

For ease of reference - here is that post from ZCAR.com;

“The 280's weigh in more than the 240's due to several reasons. First is the added weight of the fuel injection and the wiring harnesses. Second, the metal stampings and the framerails are made of 16 and 14 gauge steel, rather than the 18 and 16 gauge of the 240. Third, there was a lot of extra sound deadening material, and thicker plusher carpet installed. Fourth, and most important, the 240's bumpers and brackets weighed a total of 62 pounds combined. The 280's bumpers and brackets weighed a total of 207 to 216 lbs combined, depending upon which year. Add the fact of a larger radiator, a heavier dash assembly, heavier, larger tires, and a larger capacity fuel tank, and 500 lbs is not especially unreasonable. “

Byron