78 Datsun 280z - Page 5

onewhippedpuppy · 03-06-2018, 07:42 AM

I really need to stop clicking on these threads.....

I've always liked the 240-280Z models but never driven one. Can someone give me some perspective on how these things drive compared to say an period 911?

ckelly78z · 03-06-2018, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I really need to stop clicking on these threads.....

I've always liked the 240-280Z models but never driven one. Can someone give me some perspective on how these things drive compared to say an period 911?

My 1985.5 Porsche 944 is quick, but my 78 280z was fast, and had a much more connected feel. The car was narrower, shorter, lower to the ground, and had a wailing sound (with 2.5" open exhaust) that no 944 could ever produce. The cockpit felt like an airplane with more full gauges than any other car, and the seats were thin, but comfortable.

Sorry, no 911 experience of that era.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-06-2018, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I really need to stop clicking on these threads.....

I've always liked the 240-280Z models but never driven one. Can someone give me some perspective on how these things drive compared to say an period 911?

In many ways a 240 is more fun than a 911, especially as a hooligan car. You can kick the back out all day along around corners. I had several but most fun was with dual Webers and headers. I want another in the worst way but am building a 2.7 RS MFI motor, and then of course the 928.

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

A friend of mine is restoring a '72 240

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-06-2018, 08:10 AM

Mag wheels are PERFECT for a 240. See so many 17s on FB 240-280 group, just don't look right. Kudos to your friend for doing it right.

onewhippedpuppy · 03-06-2018, 09:20 AM

I think the old Z cars look PERFECT on Minilite style wheels.

riverstonefly · 03-09-2018, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

Bumper backdate will look great and I really like the look of Minilite wheels on a Z car of this era . Keep the pics coming . If/when I hit the lottery I would love to add a Z or an early 70's Mercury Capri . I had a red one with a V6 and black interior I NEVER should have let that one go .

Well do bro

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riverstonefly · 03-09-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I think the old Z cars look PERFECT on Minilite style wheels.

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riverstonefly · 03-09-2018, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I really need to stop clicking on these threads.....

I've always liked the 240-280Z models but never driven one. Can someone give me some perspective on how these things drive compared to say an period 911?

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

riverstonefly · 10:01 AM

Well had the day off Wednesday so decided to take the Z out for an early morning drive. I left the house at dawn and had the Yakima river canyon all to myself!

I hit 105mph in some stretches very easily and the car handled surprisingly well on its all original suspension....

The car is very tight around corners and really pleasant to drive. I was almost home when I had an interior antifreeze line give out!!

Yup all that antifreeze came spewing in on the passager side floorboard

luckily I was along the river and was able to bypass the heater core all together and limp her home.

Needless to say the rest of my day was spent pulling out the passenger side interior, vacuuming and drying her out! The good news the floor boards are perfect!

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stomachmonkey · 03-09-2018, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

I really need to stop clicking on these threads.....

I've always liked the 240-280Z models but never driven one. Can someone give me some perspective on how these things drive compared to say an period 911?

Well we all know the 911 experience is different.

It's the only RWD car I've ever owned that truly feels like you are being pushed instead of pulled.

Rtrorkt · 03-09-2018, 10:04 AM

i remember driving the 280Z, 3 series and the Alfetta back to back 1978. Did not like the light rear end feel of the Datsun, though the dealer wanted to take significant $$$ off the sticker to entice me, and i could not afford the 3 series. So i bought the Alfetta. Now fast forward and the Alfetta was replaced by a 1982 Supra performance package, black on black.

riverstonefly · 03-09-2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Well we all know the 911 experience is different.

It's the only RWD car I've ever owned that truly feels like you are being pushed instead of pulled.

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riverstonefly · 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rtrorkt

i remember driving the 280Z, 3 series and the Alfetta back to back 1978. Did not like the light rear end feel of the Datsun, though the dealer wanted to take significant $$$ off the sticker to entice me, and i could not afford the 3 series. So i bought the Alfetta. Now fast forward and the Alfetta was replaced by a 1982 Supra performance package, black on black.

Well no one's trying to compare the Datsun to a 911, its a completely different experience however I find it very pleasing and enjoyable to drive and it will be staying in my garage. The fact that this car can be had in this type of condition for low to mid teens and the low cost of ownership makes it a wonderful car for the $ when compared to a 944 of the same era.

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onewhippedpuppy · 03-09-2018, 01:19 PM

Those floorboards, wow. Super clean for the age.

Maybe saying compared to a 911 isn't quite fair. I was thinking more in terms of the usability and quality feel of the car. The cool thing about an old 911 is that you can still enjoy it as a real car today. It's reliable, fun, and has adequate performance by modern standards. A lot of cars from that era feel cheap, rickety, and downright dangerous by modern standards and on modern roads.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverstonefly

Well no one's trying to compare the Datsun to a 911, its a completely different experience however I find it very pleasing and enjoyable to drive and it will be staying in my garage. The fact that this car can be had in this type of condition for low to mid teens and the low cost of ownership makes it a wonderful car for the $ when compared to a 944 of the same era.

Why even compare it to a 944?

The Z car is what it is. You caught a nice one.

Please forgive me for talking about me, but my pal, recently deceased around Christmas, kept this Z in his humidity controlled garage since 75 or 76. I don't know the year exactly. Someone here will. Sub 20k miles. Smells new inside. He collected everything from bugs to beer labels. Eccentric, but a hoot. Why he bought a 2+2 is beyond me.

Here was his pride and joy. A 68 2000 Datsun Roadster (SP 311) on the day the buyer took it away last week.

RIP, Bruce. You were my best friend.

slow&rusty · 03-10-2018, 08:32 AM

Riverstonefly - you need to put some really wheels\tires and suspension on that bad boy to truly appreciate it and enjoy, then they become truly chuckable!

Here is mine currently going in for a full refresh, should be home next week:

riverstonefly · 03-10-2018, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slow&rusty

Riverstonefly - you need to put some really wheels\tires and suspension on that bad boy to truly appreciate it and enjoy, then they become truly chuckable!

Here is mine currently going in for a full refresh, should be home next week:

Nice and will do! What year?

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thamlin000 · thamlin000's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Those floorboards, wow. Super clean for the age.

Maybe saying compared to a 911 isn't quite fair. I was thinking more in terms of the usability and quality feel of the car. The cool thing about an old 911 is that you can still enjoy it as a real car today. It's reliable, fun, and has adequate performance by modern standards. A lot of cars from that era feel cheap, rickety, and downright dangerous by modern standards and on modern roads.

Here are my thoughts on Z in comparison to a 944. My Z was a mostly stock 260z with 240z round top carbs. 260s are the bottom of the z food chain. Approx 135 hp. My 944 is 143 hp and bottom of the 944 food chain.

I owned my 83 944 at the same time as my 260. The 944 was faster, more solid and the overall engineering felt much more modern/advanced. The Z had better low end torque and feels lighter with more tossible handling. The 944 is heavier and more controlled. The Z had lighter steering but not as precise as the 944. The Z had a better ride quality without the overly stiff ride of the 944. The Z was more reliable, easier shifting, more simple and an easier car to drive than the 944. I drove the Z more than I drove the 944. But everytime I got back into the 944, it felt special and I appreciated it more. 944 door close and open with the solid click (similar to a 911) when they open/shut. The Z doors are closer to my wife's 66 Mustang...bang! I also remember the driving experience of the Z; long hood, sitting way back closer to the rear wheels. It had great visibility, much better than the 944.

Both cars are great. I still own the 944 and wish I had a Z. Can't go wrong with either as different as they both are.

slow&rusty · 03-11-2018, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riverstonefly

Nice and will do! What year?

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Mine is an '83 ZX Turbo that I've owned for close to 20 years now...but I've owned almost every Datsun Z variant.

Here's the twin (somewhat) to yours I saved in a forest in CO many years ago and the article was so interesting it was picked by Classic and Thoroughbred Magazine and I won $250 for the feature!!!