Sad to hear about your father op. Story kind of reminds me of mine though although a different generation.
My Father bought his '78 280Z in 1980 when I was going to college. I was born in '85 and he kept it and used it as his daily driver until he got an altima in 2000 (which he always regretted). In 2004 he ended up buying a 350z.
He still had his 280z and gave it to me so it was the first car I ever had that I drove seriousy. I technically had a 1980 toyota corolla but that was a POS compared to the 280Z. so I feel like the 280Z was my first real car.
I drove that thing as my daily driver (high school commute and then college commute) from about 2001 until 2006 when I finally bought a new car to replace it. I didn't have the money for a 350z so I got a subaru impreza (regular one with only 180hp). Finally in 2010 I got my 370Z and was very happy with it. Just recently though I upgraded to a GT-R but I decided to keep my Z because too much love there
