2+2 = Z: 1976 Datsun 280Z
Under normal circumstances, I’d say that the 2+2 extended roofline ruins the classic looks of Nissan’s classic S30 generation Z-car…but today is no normal day. This gold/brown 280Z has those little back seats and the extended roof shape and doesn’t look bad at all in the photos…but the most shocking part is that asking price compared to the condition. By the time you read this, it is probably already gone. Find this 1976 Datsun 280Z offered for $8000 in San Jose, CA via craigslist.
From the seller:
1976 Datsun 280Z 2+2
VIN: GHLS30040861
condition: good
cylinders: 6 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 40000
paint color: brown
size: compact
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: coupe
Super low mileage, mechanically sound. Forty five year old classic that was garaged for 28 years.
See a better way to get your Z on? tips@dailyturismo.com
I would have to be pretty hard up for a Z car to get one of these 2+2 extended roofline versions. That extended roofline takes the 280Z from “hell yeah!” to do not want territory for me. Hell for $8k you can get a 350Z that’s in decent shape or any number of other cars in that range.
Respectfully disagree with Chris Miller. While my druthers are for no back seat and I concede the roofline looks odd to anyone calibrated for the two seat version, I still rank this very much over the 280zx which never looked good to me … except for the gold and black ones that speak to my Smoky & the Bandit sensibilities.
If you want to shoehorn family members into your classic Z, this is a good choice at a great price.
Looking at this car, had they not done the odd proportioned angles on the back roof and window shape and made it more of a curved design I think the aesthetics would have been better. It seems like they had to compromise there. I do agree with your point though about the back seats, it is nice to be able to load extra people up sometimes.