The Datsun 280Z was the last variant of the first generation of Datsun/Nissan Z cars which began with the 240Z in 1969. Available as a 2 seater coupe and a 2+2, these cars were incredibly successful models for the company and not only sold well, but in many ways lead to the end of the British and lower end Italian sports car industry in the United States, by being cheaper, more reliable, and well built cars. The cars featured 4 wheel independent suspension, a strong straight 6 engine with good weight balance and excellent handling characteristics. As emissions laws in the United States began strangling the performance from sports cars, Datsun opted to respond in part by increasing the displacement to keep performance adequate, and with the introduction of the 280Z in 1975, a change was made from carburettors to a Bosch fuel injection system, keeping the cars sporty while many other companies were dropping engine compression, and thus power, to continue to try to comply with the incoming US emissions standards. With the 280Z, crash safety standards did dictate that US models feature 5 MPH impact bumpers which ended up being mounted on shock absorbers and stuck out a ways from the body, both front and rear. With the later 280Zs, however, the optional 5 speed manual gearbox became available, improving revs while at highway speeds. This car was purchased from the original owner who bought it new in 1978 from the Tillotson Datsun dealer which was in Oakridge, Oregon. A very well kept low mileage car, it was essentially as it was when purchased, aside from new tires. Despite the low mileage, the previous owner, who was a mechanic, kept the car garaged and immaculately clean as well as kept it functional, requiring very little work after my purchase to keep it going. The car still has all its original paint, including a somewhat faded sticker on the back for the now defunct Tillotson dealership that originally sold the car. Unfortunately the dealership is also responsible for the odd “Datsun” badge on the hood, which mounted through drilled holes in the body and thus cannot be removed without repair and repaint, which I am reluctant to do. The car still drives very well and my efforts are to try to preserve the originality as much as possible. I do drive the car to keep it running as it should but somewhat sparingly and only in nice weather. Despite this there has been some work I have had to do to keep it going, replacing the brake booster, and recoring the original radiator, as well as replacing a couple of the sensors on the engine, but every effort is made to try to keep the car and its character exactly as it was when I acquired it.