Keeping a classic car in a barn may seem like the worst thing you can do to an oldtimer, but it’s not. Although a barn doesn’t keep a car safe from humidity and rodents, at least it provides a solid roof. The worst thing you can do to a classic is to leave it outside. Just like it happened to this Datsun 280Z.
Found by YouTube barn find hunter “Jerry Explores,” this old Japanese sports car is spending its retirement years in a field somewhere in the United Kingdom. It’s definitely not the best geographical area to leave a classic outside. Especially if the rig in question is a Datsun 240, which is prone to rust and the weather is usually wet all year round.
I’m actually surprised this 280Z is not yet a rust bucket. But perhaps it hasn’t been sitting very long. While the tires have gone flat and the body features some moss, there’s no precise indication of how long this Datsun has been sitting here. The body appears solid, though, with no significant rust issues in sight.
If you’re unfamiliar with the 280Z, it’s the third development of the iconic Nissan Z sports car. It followed the original 240Z, which debuted in 1969, and the 260Z, which hit showrooms in 1974. However, while the 260Z replaced the 240Z, the 280Z did not displace the 260Z. Introduced in 1975, one year after the 260Z, the 280Z was developed with the US market in mind.
In an effort to meet increasingly stringent US emission requirements, Datsun enlarged the inline-six engine to 2.8 liters and added a Bosh fuel injection system. More notably, the 280Z sported the federally required 5-mph impact-absorbing bumper introduced in 1974. Nissan sold more than 150,000 units in the US, but far fewer were exported to the United Kingdom.
Most sources indicate that just under 1,400 examples were shipped to Britain from 1974 to 1978. So, while it may not be as desirable as the early 240Z, the 280Z is a pretty rare rig on the island.
But the vehicle it shared the trailer with is just as interesting. It’s a bit mangled and in worse shape overall, but we can still see the unforgettable MG MGB silhouette. Introduced in 1962, the two-door sports car soldiered on until 1980. It was quite popular, too, as MG sold more than 500,000 units. This one’s a GT coupe that should have a 1.8-liter inline-four under the hood. The shape of the front grille suggests it’s a pre-1973 version with steel bumpers.
The yard is also home to a few old Volkswagen Caddy haulers and an old Thames truck. Relatively unknown outside the UK, this brand was manufactured by Ford of Britain from 1939 to 1965. Sadly enough, it looks like none of these rigs will be rescued and restored anytime soon.