what is the TRUE definition of "Series 1"

[Zs-ondabrain]

The reason I ask is it seams to come up quite a bit. People asking me "if my Z is a series 1" and what is the build date etc etc.

As far as I know, Series 1 is a 1970 model year Z. But I've also heard that "series 1" is all 240Z's in general. My Z has an 8/70' build date and has the typical hatch vents and quarter panel "240Z" emblems. it IS a series 1 but my yellow 10/70' 240Z has the same vents and quarter panel emblems.

So what is the TRUE definition of "Series 1"???

Thanks for your well though out answers and opinions,

Dave.

[Arne]

Dave, my understanding is that the Series 1 are the cars with the hatch vents, which were the first 20,000 or so US cars. The Series 2 cars started production in early Jan. 1971. So most Series 1 cars were BUILT in 1970, with a few in '69 and even fewer in early Jan. '71. About half were probably sold and titled as '71s.

In short, if it was built in 1970, it's a Series 1, even if it is titled as a '71.

Here's a link from ZHome.com that goes into greater detail:

http://zhome.com/History/1970or1971.html

[Zs-ondabrain]

Thanks Arne, that was exactly what I was looking for. It took me a while to read it cause I was also explaining the whole theory of it to Leah (the wife).

Reason for this was I was always trying to explain "roughly" the same thing to leah and other inquirers. Now I can just bring up the link and walk away as they read.

thanks again,

Dave.

[240znz]

Series 1, 2 and 3 are US (LHD or HLS30) terms only. Never use them with JDM or RHD export versions. It's just plan wrong as I found out.

Always learning.

[Zs-ondabrain]

yup, it never ends. (the learning thing, that is)

[240znz]

Here are some differences that I have noted on my HS30-00352. This car is a low VIN and has a probable build date of 12/70. It is "likely" (but not certain) that is shares the same "bits" that the HLS30 "series 1" cars got.

1. Body shell lighter by 200lbs

2. Vented hatch

3. Solid B pillars

4. 240z badge on B pillar

5. Nissan 2400-OHC rocker cover

6. Back to front brake master

7. Cigarette lighter next to the ash tray

8. A hand throttle

9. Swiss cheese rear deck

10. Tool boxes behind each seat

11. Seats only recline 10 degrees or so

12. Chrome coat hooks

13. Split driveshaft

14. Solid steering wheel spokes

15. Flawed diff location

16. Speedo that starts at 20mph

17. "D" hubcaps not the "Z" ones

18. Weak B pillars that cracked

19. Mystery space beside the speedo for a switch or cigarette lighter

20. Vertical rear demister (if fitted, dealer option)

21. Rear speaker mounted behind the electric aerial.

22. Centre vent has straight vanes not angled like in other models

23. Map light bezel has no hood like in other models.

[Duffman]

My hatch glass is heavily scratched but clear, without the vertical lines. I am assuming the glass is original. Have thought of getting a nicer piece of glass with the vertical defrost lines, but keep thinking that I am getting away from the original look. Will replace or get louvers one of these days!

[Arne]

Dave, here's another link, it gives Nissan's "official" list of the changes from Series 1 to Series 2 in the US.

http://zhome.com/History/New71Late.htm

[Carl Beck]

Series 1, 2 and 3 are US (LHD or HLS30) terms only. Never use them with JDM or RHD export versions. It's just plan wrong as I found out.

Always learning.

Hi James:

That's an interesting statement. Can you provide a little more information as to why you believe it is true as it relates to the RHD HS30 cars?

You later Post - that your early car contains all the items that we would consider to be a Series I car, and that it was most likey produced in 1970.

thanks,

Carl B.

[dogma420]

Dave--

In learning in time my 72 was a 'series 3' I have thought of them like this: (and I could be wrong, but these are the things I normally think of when people say Series 1, 2, 3)

Series 1-original style, plastic tool doors, no holes in steering wheel, vertical defrost, vents in hatch, original console, crankshaft changed after a few months initially due to vibration

Series 2-no hatch vents, new style tool drawers next to spare tire

Series 3 (my 10/71 72 model) -holes in steering wheel, new updated console, different hazard switch/sticker (which i'm about to get the copies made of....), Differential moved back

Series 4 (73 240z and 74 small bumper 260z)...horizontal defrost? Not sure of anything else...emission stuff

Of course, seat belts changed all throughout the years as well, I believe.

I'm probably wrong, but in simple terms over the years, these are the things I've normally thought of when talking Series x,x,x of the 240z's.

[hls30.com]

What really gets me are the things that are exclusive to series 1 cars, but not alll series ! cars(only the earliest ones) Red dot Mirrors, metal coat knobs, metal emblems, black painted gray plastic interior pieces, "2400" valve covers,etc...

I wonder how much variation there actually was in the first 200 cars.

I/ve always thought of the series 1 cars as those with the cigar lighter next to the ashtray.

Will

[Mr Camouflage]

Our Aussie 240z underwent similar changes though from the article on the z home site, we would tend to call series 1, series 1, and what they call series 2, 3 and 4 as Series 2.

These are just terms invented to describe the changes as the 240z evolved.

I find it interesting that the zhome article makes no mention of the changing of the differential location, or what series it changed in.