280ZX up for auction

[fae821w]

Hi,

I have to tell a story about this car.

Back in the 1970,s i wanted a 240z but being 23 was told to forget it by insurance companies until i was 25.In 1981 having saved enough i decided i needed to buy a "z"before i got married.The 280zx was then being produced,so i ordered a new one from Datsun in Bristol.The car was everything i hoped for so it was heartbreaking to sell it when funds were needed for renovations to my first house.

Recently after watching a program on BBC Four about British sportscars,it mentioned the Austin Atlantic which i,d never heard of.
I googled it and found one about to sell at auction,however there was as well a 280zx listed on the same website so i viewed that just to see what they fetched today.
Can you imagine my surprise when it turned out to be my old car,fae821w,being sold at Buxton Auction!!.
So after six kids,paying off my mortgage,and 31 years,yesterday i bought it and brought it back home.
Outside a chap told me he was going to bid up to £4500 for it,but as he bought the Porsche in a previous Lot he never bidded.He reckons i got a steal,i told him i was prepared to go alot higher due to sentimental value,so he had no chance!.
The car is in good nick,needs some work of course,the worst being sorting the exhaust(choked me all the way back to Gloucestershire),it also needs a spare wheel if someone knows where there,s one.
Thanks to all those on here who gave me info on its condition,it convinced me to travel to buy.
Will get things sorted and hopefully meet up with other members in the future.
Its true,when you get "Z,s" in you,its for life,and this one is staying with me!!!.
Andy.

[JK240]

Now thats a great story, welcome to the club Andy. Enjoy your new old car and hope to see you at an event sometime

[STEVE BURNS]

that is a nice tale
welcome back to The World of the Z

[Rob Gaskin]

Yep, to us our Zs are more than just old cars.

A great story and I'm so glad you looked on here. It shows that Z enthusiasts know where to look.

I hope it's as good as it looks and performs as well as you remembered (school reunions and all that )

So glad it has got a good home.

[RIDDLER]

A fantastic end to the thread I started on here!
I saw you buy it - you were with a younger person who I assumed might be your son. I thought you might be buying the car for him, as you didn't look like dealers!
Didn't realise you were after it for yourself.
Enjoy the car - it was meant to be!

[candy red]

congrats on getting the car back i have a spare wheel if you are still after one

[rahail240]

My dad rang me from the auction and said he'd found the cheapest 240z and asked if I wanted it.
I explained to him that it was a 280zx and not a 240z and not really my thing.
But bless him, he got really excited.

[Rob Gaskin]

Originally Posted by rahail240

My dad rang me from the auction and said he'd found the cheapest 240z and asked if I wanted it.
I explained to him that it was a 280zx and not a 240z and not really my thing.
But bless him, he got really excited.

That is a common mistake with 280ZX's, my Dad is often telling me he has seen a cheap 240Z in the mags and when I look it's a 280ZX. I even had a relation who saw a 300ZX Z31 for sale in a garage think it was an early Z (240 or 280).

It just shows the strength/image of the Z badge!

[fae821w]

Riddler,
Yes your right, it was my Son, he kindly took the day off work to drive me and reckons the car would "look great with a spoiler".I had to explain to him this is now a Classic car and the more original the better.Too many of them were bought cheaply and "blinged"as the cars got older.

Candy Red,
Is the wheel the same original type?, can you give me details and price please.

I have not had chance to look at the car yet, just took the wifes car out of the garage and parked it in there(much to her annoyance!), but will start looking it over the first chance i get, can anyone tell me please the best place for spares/parts etc.

My story of the purchase of my old car has caused quite a stir with workmates, some of them remember the day 31 years ago when it was delivered to my workplace, British Aerospace at Filton, i asked them to check it over with me, we are all Aircraft Painters and were working on Concordes then. I had photos taken of me with the car and three Concordes parked behind, have misplaced the photos but will keep looking for them.I have however found my original purchase receipt.

Andy.

[zbloke]

Originally Posted by fae821w

some of them remember the day 31 years ago when it was delivered to my workplace, British Aerospace at Filton

Isn't Filton where Rolls Royce keep their Spitfire?

[RIDDLER]

I have sent a link to this forum thread to the editor of Practical Classics magazine (they featured my car recently). You never know - they might like the story and feature you and the car!

[fae821w]

Zbloke,
Yes the Spitfire is with Rolls Royce at Filton, but i don,t expect it will be for much longer as the Airfield is closing at the end of the year, it may already have moved.I shall ask two of my workmates as they help to keep it flying,they carry-out any paint work on it.


Riddler,
Thanks for letting me know about the magazine, i would be more than happy to let them feature it.After looking through the history folder that came with it, i found photos that show it whilst being restored, i assume that this would help with any article published.

Came home early from work today to have a look at it, my teenage Daughter thinks its wonderful but can,t work out how i could afford it back then?,i had to explain it took lots of overtime and a passion to get one!.
She,s right though it really looks beautful and sounds awesome even with the exhaust blowing.

Andy.

[RIDDLER]

It's a pity you don't live a bit nearer, as I would drive across in my 260Z to meet you and have a ride out in yours. But according to routefinder, you are 139 miles away!

Hope Practical Classics do fancy the story.

All the best.