Datsun 280Z, Red, for sale in Charlotte, North Carolina, for $11,995.

The Datsun Z cars put Japan on the performance car map, and this 1977 280Z tells you all you need to know about why these are such special vehicles. With an unusual light brown metallic paint job, a beautifully preserved interior, and just 70,998 original miles, this is exactly the kind of car that you can enjoy today and let it appreciate tomorrow.

The long nose styling of the Z car never seems to go out of fashion, and when combined with a sophisticated and elegant color like this, it creates a unique blend of performance and luxury that was found on cars like the Jaguar E-Type. The paint is relatively recent, and a small patch on the driver's quarter was the only bodywork required to return it to showroom fresh condition. Typical of the Japanese, the fit and alignment of the body panels are excellent, and for a 35 year old car, this one fits together amazingly well. Details like the chrome bumpers are in original condition, and their shiny surface suggests that this car has always been properly maintained. Badges, the front grille, the rear valence with distinctive Z taillights, all of it looks far younger than the car's age would suggest.

The black 2+2 interior gives the Z a lot more space, and while you won't want to put two adults in back for a cross-country trip, it greatly expanded the Z's practicality. The front buckets are well preserved, with no cracks or splits, and showing only light wear. With its distinctive dashboard design, with speedo and tach in front of the driver and three auxiliary gauges mounted up high in the center, the Z's interior has been the prototype for all Japanese sports cars for decades. In this car, the dash pad, the door panels, and even the rear hatch area are exemplary, showing no signs of sun damage which is so common on these cars. A/C and an AM/FM/8-track stereo are included-after all, this was a state-of-the-art automobile in 1977.

Power comes from an upgraded 2.8 liter inline-six, which makes wonderful sounds akin to the great British roadsters of yore, not to mention all that turbine-smooth torque. The 280Z uses fuel injection, which looks complicated but is extremely reliable and delivers improved performance and economy. Showing signs of proper maintenance throughout its life, this Z fires up the first time every time and pulls cleanly, with the 3-speed automatic delivering smooth upshifts and snappy downshifts, making this Z a fantastic point-and-shoot weapon in traffic. The all-independent suspension is agile, and none of its handling prowess is diminished by the added length of the 2+2 body. The original alloys are in amazing condition, with no curb rash or corrosion, and they wear a set of relatively recent Michelin MX4 radials.

Documents include the original window sticker and owner's manuals, and the mileage is authentic. The Z's day is fast approaching, and nice examples like this one will continue to appreciate. Call today!