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1983 280zx Convertible Build

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Old 06-12-2013 | 06:33 PM
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1983 280zx Convertible Build

Well, as some of you may know, ive had this car for some time now and have had a lot of help from a lot of you. So id like to start out by saying thanks! I did have the car up for sale at one point but it didn't sell so i decided to keep it and finish it up, its not finished yet, however i have made some big steps to finishing it the way i want it on a low budget.

So the picture's attached is the day i got the car. Ran like crap and looked like a 5 year old took some tin snips to it and modified the hood and fenders. The fabric top was to small so it was not attached in the front and the top frame was only half welded, it eventually fell apart. The seats were not bolted down were torn up and had rat poop in them They quickly went to the dump. Many hours of work later and a lot of reading up on these forums i fixed the run ability problem and found out that i had an aftermarket head and a modified turbo. I could spin the bald tires that came with it all the way up past 70 mph, fishtailed once at that speed scared the **** out of me
(Continued in next post)
Attached Thumbnails 1983 280zx Convertible Build-554848_2281452691802_1206358791_n.jpg   1983 280zx Convertible Build-photo-2012-08-31-14.14.jpg   1983 280zx Convertible Build-photo-2012-08-31-14.14-4.jpg  

Last edited by convert280; 06-12-2013 at 06:49 PM.
Old 06-12-2013 | 06:48 PM
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So the first thing i did after fixing the run ability problem was replace the seats and put in some belts. Whats the point of being able to drive the car if you cant be safe from the rat poo!? Shortly after replacing the seats, being the kid i am, i was racing some honda civic with a massive case of diarrhea ,wasnt much of a race, and i had my top up which then blew off on the high way. Shoulda known that would happen. So when i got home i removed what pieces were left and just drove it like that. Refurbished the dash and replaced the carpet and i considered the interior done. I still might have plans to make a soft boat top kind of thing for it.

(Continued)
Attached Thumbnails 1983 280zx Convertible Build-photo-2012-11-26-18.01.jpg   1983 280zx Convertible Build-securedownload.jpg  

Last edited by convert280; 07-11-2013 at 03:02 PM.
Old 06-12-2013 | 06:57 PM
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Then just a few weeks ago my head gasket blew. It was actually quite easy to replace thanks to a write up on this forum My next task was to fix the amateur work done to the front of the car. My plans were and still are to just go back to stock look. So i search these forums and found a nice local guy that sold me some body parts that are now on the car seen in the pictures below. My plan with the paint is to do a flat army green, but idk if that will go with the rims. Let me know what you guys think so far!
Attached Thumbnails 1983 280zx Convertible Build-securedownload-2.jpg  

Last edited by convert280; 06-12-2013 at 08:16 PM.
Old 06-12-2013 | 07:57 PM
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Paint it a color it actually came not "Primer army green"...Just my opinion. I love the seats and topless look though!
Old 06-12-2013 | 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Seattle
Paint it a color it actually came not "Primer army green"...Just my opinion. I love the seats and topless look though!
Thanks! Yeah i just thought it would look cool, but would be a little out there. The car is really coming together i think
Old 07-01-2013 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by convert280
My next task was to fix the amateur work done to the front of the car. My plans were and still are to just go back to stock look.
For the sake of future Z owners... Thank God you took off those 350z headlights! They fit well with the 350z not a 280zx.

As for the Army green... Check this out: Deja Vu: Greg Lilly’s “Matte Hulk” Impreza WRX STI | Mayday Garage

It was done with 3M vinal wrap
Old 07-11-2013 | 03:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Twiggs280zx
For the sake of future Z owners... Thank God you took off those 350z headlights! They fit well with the 350z not a 280zx.

As for the Army green... Check this out: Deja Vu: Greg Lilly’s “Matte Hulk” Impreza WRX STI | Mayday Garage

It was done with 3M vinal wrap
Thanks a pretty sexy sti! Thanks
Old 07-12-2013 | 10:28 PM
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From: Lacey, WA
Aaaaaand now its on craigslist as a part out...
Old 07-14-2013 | 02:55 PM
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From: Bartlesville, OK
What happened? Did he discover the car was slowly breaking in half?
Old 07-14-2013 | 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Twiggs280zx
For the sake of future Z owners... Thank God you took off those 350z headlights! They fit well with the 350z not a 280zx.

As for the Army green... Check this out: Deja Vu: Greg Lilly’s “Matte Hulk” Impreza WRX STI | Mayday Garage

It was done with 3M vinal wrap
Celica headlights.
Old 07-15-2013 | 03:00 AM
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From: Monongahela Pennslyvainia
Originally Posted by Twiggs280zx
For the sake of future Z owners... Thank God you took off those 350z headlights! They fit well with the 350z not a 280zx.

As for the Army green... Check this out: Deja Vu: Greg Lilly’s “Matte Hulk” Impreza WRX STI | Mayday Garage

It was done with 3M vinal wrap
Too late lol. looked sharp to mee
Old 07-20-2013 | 04:34 PM
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From: Lacey, WA
Originally Posted by mayhem052
What happened? Did he discover the car was slowly breaking in half?
1983 datsun 280zx turbo convertable Parting Out

No idea, but the guy lives less than a half hour from me. Too bad I don't have a shop for me to fix/save her...
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