Brian serves as the Information Technology Manager for Sports Car Market magazine. As a fourth-generation automotive enthusiast, he has a particular passion for Japanese cars spanning the 1970s to the 2000s and is actively involved in the North American kaido racer community.
1983 Datsun 280ZX Lot 71890, s/n JN1HZ04S8DX576102. 8k miles. “Fuel-injected 2.8-liter L28E inline-6, 5-speed manual transmission, French Beige Metallic paint, red velour upholstery, removable glass roof panels, 14-inch alloy wheels, power windows and mirrors, A/C, window sticker.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $58,800. Bring A Trailer, 4/29/22. High prices for earlier 240Z models are now trickling down to the later 280ZX. The 280ZX supplanted the 280Z with a somewhat squared-off body and removable T-tops. The engine has some slight updates to the 280Z engine, including a fan that blows air down the intake to cool the fuel injectors. At the time of […]
1983 Datsun 280ZX
Lot 71890, s/n JN1HZ04S8DX576102. 8k miles. “Fuel-injected 2.8-liter L28E inline-6, 5-speed manual transmission, French Beige Metallic paint, red velour upholstery, removable glass roof panels, 14-inch alloy wheels, power windows and mirrors, A/C, window sticker.” Condition: 1. SOLD AT $58,800. Bring A Trailer, 4/29/22.
High prices for earlier 240Z models are now trickling down to the later 280ZX. The 280ZX supplanted the 280Z with a somewhat squared-off body and removable T-tops. The engine has some slight updates to the 280Z engine, including a fan that blows air down the intake to cool the fuel injectors. At the time of release, the 280ZX wasn’t well received, critiqued for being bulkier and over-refined. The plush interior didn’t scream “sports car!” like the previous generation did. The overall design was picked apart for not having a clear vision, with poorly incorporated federally mandated crash bumpers in an attempt to bring the previous generation up to date. This has caused the 280ZX to historically struggle as a collectible. While they are not ugly cars, the 240Z/260Z/280Z will always be more desirable. This car previously sold seven months ago in another online auction for $23,310, making a nice profit for this dealer after it was given a thorough detailing. This might be the most expensive original 280ZX sold to date. But will we continue to see average 280ZX prices rising? Possibly, but they still won’t outpace the original Z-cars. Well sold.
1993 Toyota Pickup 4×4
Lot 72528, s/n 4TAVN01D5PZ150731. 57,000 miles. “3.0-liter V6, 5-speed manual transmission, dual-range transfer case, Midam Blue Metallic, blue interior, 15-inch American Racing wheels with 33-inch tires, Skyjacker suspension lift, chrome roll bar with KC lights, Kenwood audio system, A/C, aftermarket cat-back exhaust system.” Condition: 1-. SOLD AT $42,787. Bring A Trailer, 5/6/22.
Toyota pickups have been trending higher for some time now. The classic look and reliability of these small Japanese trucks makes them desirable as vehicles for regular use, despite being almost 30 years old. That’s also why lower-mileage examples are few and far between. Unlike a lot of low-mileage Toyota trucks, this example is a time capsule of ’90s styling. The chrome roll bar with the smiling KC Daylighter is a throwback to that era, and the period-correct American Racing wheels and BFGoodrich tires tie it all together. This truck previously sold on BaT in March 2020 for $16k, and the only thing that changed is an extra 1k miles and the addition of the chrome roll bar. This is the dream Toyota pickup for older Millennials, and the price seems to reflect that nostalgia. Well sold.
1993 Honda Integra Si-VTEC
S/N DB81000132. 90k km (56k miles). “1.8-liter DOHC inline-4 B18C, automatic transmission, Integra Type-R valve cover, side window rain guards, Mitsubishi CD player, Sony head unit, imported from Japan in May 2021.” Condition: 1+. SOLD AT $9,927. Cars & Bids, 5/9/2022.
Many American Honda enthusiasts associate four round headlights with being a U.S.-only Integra front fascia. The Integra was actually sold for the first two years in Japan with this front end, but with sluggish sales, so Honda switched to more-conservative horizontal headlights. This Si-VTEC trim was not sold in the U.S. but it is comparable to our “GSR,” with a similar B18C1 engine. This engine is one of Honda’s most desirable from this era, putting out 178 hp and 126 lb-ft of torque. With the rising values of American Integra Type R and GSR variants, this imported Honda Integra won’t be far behind. Civic hatchback prices in Japan from this same era are in the $10k–$30k range already, and I wouldn’t be surprised if JDM Integras appreciate as well. Unfortunately, this example has an automatic transmission and a 4-door body, but the low mileage and condition makes up for those perceived shortcomings. Well bought. ♦
