Alan,

Thankyou for that - I always thought it was just HLS30. Is the "U" one of those 'hidden' codes like with your ZG?? Did all markets had their own letter at the end of the VIN prefix? Do you know what they were (rhetorical question here )?

Yes I mean Mr. K's car! What else c o u l d you call it? I guess "American marketing version" was too polite. It irks my craw to see that car on posters, billboards, television all across America. For goodness sake, there's pictures of it on eBay right now! Pictures of it clad with naked women...For sale! Why didn't they just give him a real one? Wire wheels :stupid:

As far as North American cars are concerned, the letter designations before the S30 are: H for the L24 and L28E engine (G added), L for left-hand drive, and R (RLS30 with a G added for 2+2 versions) for the L26 engine. After the S30 letter designations are: A and F indicating automatic and five-speed transmissions, U for Federal USA cars, UV for California (sun protection), and UN for Canada cars. GHLS30AUV would be a 280Z 2+2 automatic for California registration. The VIN changed from five digits to six digits with the introduction of the RLS30 to the best of my knowledge.

Now back to that yellow thing....