What Z am I driving?

[NuttyforNissan]

I've got an import 280Z the papers say it's a 78 but can you tell from the Chassis No, my # is HGS130 001479 is there a database somewhere? It would be nice to know when ordering parts from the State if they will be correct for this car.

[Mr Camouflage]

Its a pretty low vin, and they started making the S130 in 78, so i'd have to say yes it is.

Does it have a compliance plate?

[NuttyforNissan]

No compliance plate as an import it was exempt, it's not the blue car! that's an organ donor.

[Darrel]

1979 280zx

[e_racer1999]

1979 280zx

ya, it'd be safer ordering parts for a '79, since in the US the '78 was still an S30 and most of the parts you order will reflect that.

[HS30-H]

Japanese market S130-series full model lineup:

*S130S = Fairlady Z ( 1978~83 )

*S130 = Fairlady Z-L ( 1978~83 )

*S130J = Fairlady Z-T ( 1978~83 )

*GS130 = Fairlady Z-L 2by2 ( 1978~83 )

*GS130J = Fairlady Z-T 2by2 ( 1978~83 )

*GS130S = Fairlady Z 2by2 ( 1978~83 )

*HS130 = Fairlady 280Z-L ( 1978~81 )

*HS130J = Fairlady 280Z-T ( 1978~83 )

*HGS130 = Fairlady 280Z-L 2by2 ( 1978~81 )

*HGS130J = Fairlady 280Z-T 2by2 ( 1978~83 )

*KHS130JBC = Fairlady 280Z ( T-bar roof ) ( 1978~83 )

*KHGS130JBC = Fairlady 280Z 2by2 ( T-bar roof ) ( 1978~83 )

*KS130J = Fairlady Z ( T-bar roof ) ( 1980~83 )

*KGS130J = Fairlady Z 2by2 ( T-bar roof ) ( 1980~83 )

*S130ST = Fairlady Z Turbo ( 1982~83 )

*S130T = Fairlady Z-L Turbo ( 1982~83 )

*S130JTB = Fairlady Z-T Turbo ( 1982~83 )

*GS130T = Fairlady Z-L 2by2 Turbo ( 1982~83 )

*GS130JTB = Fairlady Z-T 2by2 Turbo ( 1982~83 )

*GS130ST = Fairlady Z 2by2 Turbo ( 1982~83 )

*KS130JTB = Fairlady Z Turbo ( T-bar roof ) ( 1982~83 )

*KGS130JTB = Fairlady Z Turbo 2by2 ( T-bar roof ) ( 1982~83 )

NuttyforNissan,

I'd wager that you have either a 'Fairlady 280Z-L 2by2' or a 'Fairlady 280Z-T 2by2'. It might very well be 1978 production year too judging by its relatively low body serial number.

I don't think you will see the letter 'J' suffix of the 'Z-T' model stamped on the actual car, and certainly not on the VIN / body serial number combination stamped onto the bodyshell. The difference between the 'Z-L' and the 'Z-T' was purely in trim and accessories, and there's the added complication that the original Japanese buyer might have chosen some factory options and upgrades when he ordered the car from the dealer. You might be able to pin it down by examining the details and clues on the car itself - and if the original factory engine bay tag is still present it might hold a couple of clues.

Have you got electric door glass and remote control exterior mirrors?

Alan T.

[e_racer1999]

ah yes, as alan's post points out, if you are purchasing JDM parts then definitely go with the '78. i continue to forget that australia is closer to japan than US

[NuttyforNissan]

Well it has windup windows has the switches for electric mirrors I think this Jap was poor so it's the basic model not turbo, not targa, it is a 2+2. The plate is all in Jap so apart from the number this is what it says.

E-HGS130, 2753cc, 145PS/5200RPM, 2520mm, L28, 0-12, P7560

[HS30-H]

Well it has windup windows has the switches for electric mirrors I think this Jap was poor so it's the basic model not turbo, not targa, it is a 2+2.

Actually, its quite a few rungs up the ladder from the true 'basic' model ( the S130-S 'Fairlady Z' with the L20E ) and as an L28E engined model - and a '2by2' at that - it would have been pretty expensive when it was new, and would have fallen into a higher taxation bracket too - so the original owner wasn't all that frugal. Japan never got the option of a Turbocharged L28 on the S130-series, so it was up at the top end of the price range for that year's production models and just one step down from the 'T-bar' roof versions.

I don't know why it has both wind-up windows and electric window switches though? I'm certainly no expert on these models - but I can't imagine a car leaving the factory like that? Is it possible that it has been given the door panels from another car at some point in the past?

The plate is all in Jap so apart from the number this is what it says.

E-HGS130, 2753cc, 145PS/5200RPM, 2520mm, L28, 0-12, P7560

I don't have the Nissan 'Service Shuho' booklets for the S130-series range, so I'm afraid I can't decipher the meaning of the '0-12' and 'P7560' numbers with any accuracy - but they relate to the taxation classes and safety legislation that applied to that particular model type.

I think you are pretty close to your answer now anyway, and only close scrutiny of the car itself is going to get you closer to knowing whether it is actually a 'Z-L' or a 'Z-T'.

You're going to need a Japanese market S130-series parts manual to enable you to cross-reference part numbers for your car if you are going to be ordering them from the USA suppliers.

Alan T.

[NuttyforNissan]

HS30-H

Ok where do I get a Nissan 'Service Shuho' booklet for the S130's and what's a Shuho. I take it that that the E-HGS130 means its got the L28E engine? Is that where you deciphered the E from?

[sblake01]

.....I don't know why it has both wind-up windows and electric window switches though? I'm certainly no expert on these models - but I can't imagine a car leaving the factory like that? Is it possible that it has been given the door panels from another car at some point in the past?...

He said 'electric mirror switces'. I believe I've seen that combo (wind up windows w/electric mirrors) on USA S130's. My 810 is set up that way also.

[NuttyforNissan]

Your 810 is a 79 and the same colour as mine assuming it's the red one, whats the 810 number refer to?