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HomePick of the DayBuried treasure: 1993 Nissan 300ZX

Buried treasure: 1993 Nissan 300ZX

The Pick of the Day spent 14 Years in hiding after theft

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It sounds like something straight out of the movie Gone in 60 Seconds:  Brand-new sports car stolen from the dealership and stashed away in a container ship for decades.  But according to the seller of this Nissan 300ZX, that’s exactly what happened here, resulting in a 27-year-old car with just 400 miles (!) on its odometer. 

The Pick of the Day is a 1993 Nissan 300ZX that has been stashed away – either in hiding, in storage or on long-term dealer display – for its entire life.  The Glacier Pearl Metallic coupe is being advertised on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Troutman, North Carolina. 

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 “This is a NEW never-registered 1993 Nissan 300ZX with 404 miles from new,” according to the ad. “It was stolen from the original selling dealer and put in a container to be shipped out of the country.  

“In 2007, the police recovered it and the dealer’s insurance company took ownership and sold it to a dealer in NJ, who sold it to its current owner, who has had it in storage ever since.”

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The 300ZX model was introduced by Nissan in the United States in 1984 and sold through 1996 in two different generations, with the “Z32” chassis second-gen debuting for the 1990 model year.  Its wedge styling and low stance gave it a racy demeanor, and its 3-liter V6 provided the “go” to back up the look, thanks to generating 222 horsepower. 

Also available was a 300-horsepower twin-turbo engine variant, and the 300ZX could be outfitted in either two-seat or four-seat configurations.  Perhaps this wide variety of options contributed to the Z32 being a hot seller for Nissan right out of the gate, with nearly 40,000 sold during the launch model year in 1990.

Prospective buyers of this 300ZX will notice in the listing’s photo gallery that the vehicle even comes with a tag inside the fuel filler door that says “Congratulations on your new vehicle.” This Nissan Z could be the next best thing to getting into a time machine and traveling back to 1993 to buy one off the showroom floor. 

The dealership is asking $22,500.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day

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Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie is a Phoenix-based automotive enthusiast who has been writing for The Journal since 2016. His favorite automotive niche is 1980s and 1990s Japanese cars, and he is a self-diagnosed “Acura addict” since he owns a collection of Honda and Acura cars from that era. Tyson can usually be found on weekends tinkering on restoration projects, attending car shows, or enjoying the open road. He publishes videos each week to his YouTube channel and is also a contributing author to Arizona Driver Magazine, KSLCars.com, NSX Driver Magazine, and other automotive publications. His pride and joy is a 1994 Acura Legend LS coupe with nearly 600,000 miles on the odometer, but he loves anything on four wheels and would someday like to own a 1950 Buick Special like his late grandfather’s.

19 COMMENTS

  1. wooow… I wish I had the money… but I’m not crazy on the color.. I know I know it can be painted.. but the int is terrible too! Which is a shame because I LOVE these cars! What a cool story and only 400 miles on the engine!

    • Hi Brad:

      The Journal does its level best to cover the gamut of the car culture. We realize that while everyone is not going to like everything, there is enough content for all comers. We appreciate your reading. Some of the enhancements we have coming in the future is based specifically on engagement and preferences. I have my likes and dislikes in the car world too — but respect anyone who loves the hobby. Being well-rounded definitely has its benefits. Each generation are the stewards of the car culture. Make sure you check out my Pick of the Day for Saturday — you may like what you see!

  2. Each to their own…:Amazing to be able to own a Z32 with 400 miles and the history of this car. I will speculate that if someotbought this car for this price. Got documentation of said history. Then Market the car on a global level you would get 5 times the asking price. It is all it the way you perceive a deal .

  3. These were and still are pretty nice looking cars. But without the turbo/manual option, this Z was still just a Boulevard Car, as R&T used to say. Someone above wants T-tops too. Good God….

  4. How can years in a shipping container not infuse the underbody and inner structure with rust? Brake system? Fuel tank? Improper storage is harder on vehicles than highschooler ownership- how many hidden issues come with that 404 miles?
    I love the somewhat reptilian styling, but have heard import guys describe these as “fiendishly complex”, and not a lot of fun to sort. The non-turbo motor doesn’t bother me; what is hidden by the history, however…
    400 miles stored/cared for properly, no prob. Decades of iffy storage? Red flags like a Chinese parade.

    • This is real. I actually saw this vehicle being stored in a storage unit in Plantation FL. In approximately 08. I checked NJ. Motor Vehicles where registered It checked out. As I recall, the crossbar support for the t-tops was slightly rusted from a probable leak in the container, a rusty-water stain on the lower passenger rocker panel would buff out. Checked a local Nissan dealer and the t-top rail was avail.
      Also, from the heat the vinyl interior of the door panel bubbled and pulled away a bit. Common trait of the breed. Overall, I wish I bought it.

  5. It worth more than that this thing should sell for 250.000 or more these things are super rare in that condition I heard about a rare 1990s Toyota supra with low miles for $180.000 at a Toyota dealership .

  6. I’m the original owner of a 93 Mercury Cougar XR7 with a H.O. 302 with a stock 8.8 posi rear end and only 70,000 miles and only paid almost 1/2 of this non-muscle car. Would love to race this over-priced car!!

  7. All you guys who think this is over priced are totally wrong , they are selling twin turbos with over 100k miles for 20-30k low miles in the 50k range with 40k miles these with High miles are selling from 10k to 20k , this is worth at least 40k-80k easy to the right buyer if they fix any issues with it..

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