Arriving Friday 13thThe Z
The 280ZX
Wanted a 240Z. This is the Z the budget allowed.
MachineDatsun 280ZX
Previous lifeOne owner, South Africa
ArrivesFriday 13 November
First jobRetrim the front seats
The story so far
Somebody loved this car for most of its life.
One owner, for decades, under the South African sun. You can see where they lived in it: bubbles in the paint on the driver’s door, the one that got opened most and front seats worn right through.
The cassette player still works. Nobody knows their name or where they drove it. But they kept it.
The seats will be retrimmed. They’ve earned it. The chrome arches are coming off. Everything else stays: the stone chips, the marks, the cassette.
“Their chapter’s finished. Mine’s just starting.”
Three gauges, a brown dash and the steering wheel it came with.
Logbook
What's happened and what's next.
Updated as the work happens. Arrival day is filmed for the first episode.
-
Done
BoughtWanted a 240Z for years. Bought the Z the budget allowed.
-
13 November
Arrives on the driveOff the transporter, onto the North Devon gravel. Filmed.
-
Next
Retrim the front seatsWorn right through. They’ve earned it.
-
Later
Chrome arches offEverything else stays as it is.
Know your way round an S130 Z?
Retrim, parts, period details: Stuart’s learning as he goes and would love the help.