Which is the best way to source a 2 seater 280zx

[positivetennis]

So far I know of 5 2 seater 280zx's in Australia, two from this web site, two in Sydney and one in Queensland. From what I've seen they seem to be advertised cheaper in the US and now that the 1982 models are 30 years old, so they can be registered in NSW. Is it worth getting one from the US or is there a better option of sourcing a RHD from Japan or somewhere else. Anybody can shed some light on this? Which is the best option and where are you likely to find a hight quality car?

[dat2kman]

Send 24dat, or dat24 (David- he's the el presidio of z club qld) a pm, he has or had one, little bit rough around edges, and so is the car!
260det up here has his, but it's a keeper.

There is a Japanese Nostalgia magazine, not sold here, but try eBay? It has a few for sale in each issue.

One of these as a factory turbo, set up as a USA IMSA GTU replica, but Aussie road registered would be pretty unique!

It's still a land barge but !!!
Bite bite bite!

[gav240z]

Didn't NZ get some 2 seaters? Might have more luck finding 1 there in correct hand drive too! Think Nzeder (a member here) used to own a couple.

[zrevival]

NZ did get the 2 seated. Best place to start looking is the website trademe.co.nz
There was a nice white one available recently for around nz$10k - which on current conversion rates is around $A2.50

[nizm0zed]

around nz$10k - which on current conversion rates is around $A2.50

Does that include the freight? or is that an extra $2.50?
And do you get a choice of the frieghter that carries it, wouldnt want it getting stuck on a reef and snapping in half....

[260DET]

Bought mine from Japan a few years ago but even then a decent one was hard to find. US would be a better source I think.

[NZeder]

Bought mine from Japan a few years ago but even then a decent one was hard to find. US would be a better source I think.

I agree, I have had 2 here in NZ finding them now is hard and finding a good one is harder. I would get a US car and convert using a 2+2 if you wanted to do that.

 Kerry if the white 280zx 2 seater on trademe was the now turbo power and with a black bonnet then that was once in my ownership (got it as a shell with rust and no engine or box)

[24 Dat]

Hi postivetennis, yes as dat2kman said i have one as well, i know of 6 in Queensland, 1 in carins and the rest around Brisbane area,  of the 6 Qld cars  3 of us are on this forum 260DET, dan280zxt and myself. I recon all up there would be about 15 Australia wide and 1 comes up for sale every 2 years or so on average here if your very lucky.

My car is a very early 1978 car from Japan it was in VGC in and out but I have completely striped  her and apart from 2 bad rust spots on the passengers side roof and on the passenger firewall, the hatch was toast as well but i fluked it and got a new all z parts a couple of years ago , it just needs them fixed and sandblasted then pained to a better colour than what was originally, the light yellow of the interior shell that you can see and the maroon /silver of the second paint job. and put back together i have a couple of other z projects on the go so the zx will have to wait for $ 

I agree with very one elses comments try and source a car from the USA. I would look at a genuine turbo car or even a 10th anniversary model, look seriously at the cost of getting the car complianced here. a lot of American muscle cars are coming to oz at the momnet  so shipping wont be an issue but compliancing will be the biggest cost to you , so i would get a definite costing on that,
I have a friend who has just brought a beetle in from the US and the permit to import took over 10 weeks to get so don't believe the gov website saying it only takes 3 weeks.

Apart from that good luck please keep us informed

[luvemfast]

24 Dat
Please tell me you're going back to the factory yellow 
That would look great IMHO

[260DET]

David, if you sell your two seater to a mexican you will be deposed, the peasants will revolt Fix it up, I would love to have a manualised auto as a club run car.

As for the cost of a US imported car I would suggest budget $10000 to get it on the road, not including any substantial work on the car.

[dat2kman]

Would. You need to go the compliance route with a US import??
Wouldnt it be easier to bring in a US left hooker, and do a cut and shut with a Aussie delivered ZX?

Dunno, i'd reckon the rego authourities would only be looking at vin and engine numbers at front of car, they wouldnt give a rats about the back half.
A engineer mod plate, denoting car as a two seat conversion would be all that is required.

Ok, who's up for filling a 40 foot container with as many desert cars (no rust), double stacked should get six in?
US shopping trip anyone??

[nizm0zed]

If your cutting and shutting, you only need the rear half.
Should be able to fit a lot more int he container now.... 

[luvemfast]

What are the costs Jason................................. 

[MickieB]

On a slightly off note (but not too far off) i've been seeing lots of import companies importing 240z's from the US and seeing them for sale here.
What's the go? Can they be complied here or are the race use only??

[24 Dat]

24 Dat
Please tell me you're going back to the factory yellow 
That would look great IMHO

Sorry luvemfast, if you saw the yellow up close you would probably throw up, i spent days striping it out. I dry reached a couple of times,  once i got down to the yellow it is not that great, the photos don't show its true colour its like stomach bile yellow,  you know when you have thrown up for a day straight, and then there is nothing left but!!!.   
The only yellow that is possibly in the photo shopped picture below, but as the Black Pearl 280Z's were realised in the States in 78 i recon the very first 280ZX's would have been realised in japan in that colour as well so that's where I'm leaning. yes i know your's is black and it does look fantastic and very 
Cheers
Dave