New Sinful (but happy) LHD 280z Owner (1975)

ShanksKop

Club Member
Howdy All,

Freshly paid up, new member of the club and owner of my first Z car imported from the USA.

I've loved the look for a long while and after careful consideration of the pros and cons of the differing models, availability, work required and most importantly, what I could afford.

I decided on this 1975 280z.

Just a hello and to get familiar with what's next (if anything), recommendations etc.

I've currently got the car at Fourways Engineering who have just completed the required UK mods. Early encouraging comments from them 'one of the best examples they have had come in' and that I have chosen wisely. Which is music to my ears as I was royally bricking it, as I had no real clue if I had made the right decision.

Few Questions
  • I've just got it insured on the VIN (Footman James), anyone able to advise how I see my club membership number? As I need to provide that to the insurers.
  • The car is at Fourways for a pre booked MOT and for work to be carried out. I’m intending to go back on Monday to pick her up and drive her back. I’m led to believe that this is legal as long as it’s insured and you have all paperwork (which I do)?
  • I intend to generally drive in the warmer months, would you advise undersealing?
  • What unleaded fuel is recommended ?
Thanks
 

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uk66fastback

Club Member
Hi and welcome. You've come to the right place for sure! Lots of advice and knowledge on these forums. Car looks to be a nice example - love the wheels. What are the plans for it - slim those bumpers down a bit or keep them as is?
You can drive to any MoT place with a pre-booked one as long as you are insured (as you are, on the VIN). Can you believe mine failed the first time I took it somewhere for failing to show a licence plate (even though it is in the VOSA book about imported cars etc). You can register it now without an MoT of course as it is exempt so needn't be done first (as was the case previously) ...

If the car was undersealed from new and all/most of it is still in place I wouldn't do anything. But if some is missing etc, you could do localised repairs. Depends what you want the underside/heel arches to look like. As they did in 1975 or covered in new, thick, black goo?
 
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jonbills

Membership Secretary
Site Administrator
Hi, welcome.
I posted your membership pack today, so you might get it tomorrow or Saturday or worst Monday, it will include your membership number but I'll also PM it to you so you can get your insurance straight away.
 

AliK

Vehicle Dating Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Welcome Mr Shank!

That is a rather nice looking car.

I personally run Optimax in mine as the higher RON rating will run her a little cooler (not to mention having a modified engine) but any unleaded will do.

IMHO you need to make sure you get some decent tyres on if more than 5 years old and not premium rubber especially as you won't have ABS and don't want to fall off the road in the wet. These cars are great fun to throw around.

I will leave the more expert members comment on under seal but stay away from waxoil. It's horrid stuff to deal with later and can trap water in pockets.

Other than that, drive, enjoy and learn about the car. She will speak to and you will figure out what you want to do next with her.

Come to any local meets etc and chat to lots of people who can give you lots of ideas on how to spend lots of cash on things you never thought you needed to complete your life with ;) There are lots of events happening this year like Donington, Silverstone and local club meets.

Many 280 owners tend to put the more slender bumpers on, found either from group Harrington or these guys below for less.

http://bumperautomobile.com/

Where in the country are you?

Looking forward to seeing you at some event soon!

Edit: unless you plan to stay 100% original, you can lose the emission stuff and gain ponies with some easy changes! More of that anon.
 

SacCyclone

Club Member
Looks to be a very nice example, congrats on the purchase.
In the states, the unleaded 89 and 91 octane ratings work well as the compression ratio is relatively low.
Watch for failing relays if you encounter starting problems in the future....
Otherwise have fun with the drive!!!!
 

johnymd

Club Member
Great looking car and welcome to the club. It should have underbody protective coating already so maybe just touch in any parts that are missing. If you do recoat in then make sure the entire underside is steam cleaned to give the new stuff something to grip onto other than dirt. I would certainly get cavity wax into every area I could. There are a lot of box sections under the car that will corrode from the inside out.
 

toopy

Club Member
Very nice, welcome to the club :driving:

As has been mentioned, if the existing under seal is sound, then for now, leave well alone, if bits are damaged, repairing them is a priority.

Avoid Waxoyl, use Dinitrol or Dynax (Bilt Hamber) if there is any minor surface rust present, you can go straight over it as the under seal's have a rust inhibitor/killer in the product. I always use some rust converter first as well though ;)

Have a look here https://www.rust.co.uk/
 

Makesy

Club Member
Welcome - Nice looking 280z! I love that shade of blue!

First things first, shift those girders from the front and back and get the slimmer replacement bumpers. There's a few guides/youtube videos on how to go about it.

Once the salt clears from the roads, make good use of the car and see if you can work out any kinks it may have.

...Oh and buy yourself a Haynes manual :)
 

ShanksKop

Club Member
Hi and welcome. You've come to the right place for sure! Lots of advice and knowledge on these forums. Car looks to be a nice example - love the wheels. What are the plans for it - slim those bumpers down a bit or keep them as is?

Wheels & the colour certainly lured me in and pushed me over the edge.

I was set on changing the bumpers, now I'm sitting on the fence to keep it original. Decisions, decisions
 

ShanksKop

Club Member
Many 280 owners tend to put the more slender bumpers on, found either from group Harrington or these guys below for less.

http://bumperautomobile.com/

Where in the country are you?

Looking forward to seeing you at some event soon!

Edit: unless you plan to stay 100% original, you can lose the emission stuff and gain ponies with some easy changes! More of that anon.

Thanks, look forward to meeting you all.

What's group Harrington?

Tell me more, about this emission you mention

I'm Manchester/London (Work)
 

ShanksKop

Club Member
Looks to be a very nice example, congrats on the purchase.
In the states, the unleaded 89 and 91 octane ratings work well as the compression ratio is relatively low.
Watch for failing relays if you encounter starting problems in the future....
Otherwise have fun with the drive!!!!

What's the closest UK equivalent?
 

ShanksKop

Club Member
I would certainly get cavity wax into every area I could. There are a lot of box sections under the car that will corrode from the inside out.

Is cavity wax something you do yourself and is that applied as is now or after any undercoating?

Looks like I have a tonne to learn
 

Woody928

Events Officer
Staff member
Club Member
Welcome to the club and congrats on the purchase!

Sounds a similar story to mine as my car went to Fourways when it first arrived in the UK and they did some conversion work, repairs and got it MOT'd for me. You're in safe hand there...

I think most of your questions have been answered now however I'd definitely seal the underside to protect it, it's a job I need to revisit myself. I believe that dinitrol seems to come highly recommended these days as a product. Look for ward to hearing more about this car, its a fantastic colour.
 

Paul Henley

Club Member
Welcome to the Club Mr Shanks.
I have good news and bads news for you.
Bad news is your car looks horrendous and I strongly advise you to sell it as fast as possible.
Good News is I'd take a risk and take it off your hands!!
:rofl:
Seriously, love your car, great colour and congrats on securing such a nice car. Nice to see someone do so well with a purchase.

Paul
 
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