In the realm of vintage Japanese imports, not many cars are held in higher regard than the first generation of Datsun Z two-seater coupes. It's rare to find one that has stood the test of time as well as this beautiful 1977 Datsun 280 Z. It's been owned by the same family since 1984, and maintained in a manner that has allowed it to retain much of its originality. It's always nice when you can know a little about the background of a car, and this little gem brings an added measure of provenance to the table.This is a good, solid Georgia car, so rust and body rot are not an issue. Eye appeal? Oh yeah! Plenty of it! You'll be impressed by the way in which the soft pearl white paint envelopes the finely-hewn body lines of the 280 Z. That first look really is one of those lump-in-your-throat moments. Granted, there are some minor fisheyes in the finish, but nothing we'd consider a deal-breaker, it still shows very well. There have been no major modifications to the body, but a few items have been added here and there to subtly enhance the car's appearance. A roll pan gently wraps around the rear bumper area, while a spoiler has been installed on the front to give it that racy look. A louvered rear window shade, plastic headlight covers, and a blacked-out front bumper are among the other accessories that add to the dynamic look of this classic sport coupe. It sits on gold and polished 15-inch WORK wheels that add a great final touch to the exterior. A peek at the inside of an automobile often offers a hint as to its overall condition and how it's been treated through the years. In this case, the interior of this Datsun speaks volumes. The inside looks basically original and is in very nice condition. The gorgeous black vinyl seats are solid and show no splits or tears. The carpeting is nice with no fading, and the door panels and headliner look great too. You won't find a cracked-up dash like is commonplace for these Z's, and it sports full, clear instrumentation. An AM/FM radio and 8-track tape player provide the foundation for a quality sound system, and the wood grain steering wheel finished off the look for a little extra elegance. Soaking up the ambiance of this interior takes you back to 1977 while, at the same time, making it hard to believe this car is really 40 years old!Raising the tilt-forward hood reveals a stock fuel-injected 2.8L turbocharged six cylinder engine. If you've never driven a car with one of these turbo engines, you are in for a treat. These high-winding little power plants take off like a rocket with that pin-you-to-the-seat acceleration. It's running smooth, and still delivers power and speed when you need it, and power front disc brakes stop the car on command. Backed up by a 5-speed manual transmission that shifts up through the gears quickly and smoothly, this Z is ready to go out and stretch its legs.It looks good. It runs well. And it's a blast to drive. Flashy and fast, the 1977 Datsun 280Z is one of those cars that forever changed the face of the import car market. If vintage sports cars are your thing, then this is the one. Make it yours, call today!