Quick 1971 question

[RolfSis]

Interesting thread. Prompted me to add some more pictures to make sure this novice (me) is on the right path to better understanding the 1971 Datsun 240-Z. My Brother's '71 240Z also has the round Z insignia; so if I read your information correctly, ours is also a Late '71 build. Popped pictures here, to be sure I understand you right. Thanks for letting me learn from you.

http://asta.bizhosting.com/240Z-Questions.htm

Asta

[mally002]

Congrats on the new edition Randy! I remember seeing that on eBay, and thought it looked nice in the pics. Did you get rid of the TR-6?? :classic:

Hey Doug,

No, I still have the TR6, just got back from a little mountain run with her, and yes I'm still married after buying another 240z.....

The third bay is reserved for the 71 240....My wife is wondering if she's ever getting in the garage again......

Take care,

Randy

[Carl Beck]

Hi Guys:

Terms, terms, terms.... they have to be made more specific if we are ever to really understand one another.

71 Calender Year - same as "Production Year".... 1 Jan. though the end of 31 Dec.

71 Model Year - varies by Manufacturer and Country. ie... the first regular production 1970 Model Year Datsun 240-Z's were built in Oct. of 1969.

The first Series of Datsun 240-Z's were produced from Oct. 1969 into Jan. of 1971. They were sold and titled as 1969 Model Year 240-Z's, 1970 Model Year 240-Z's and 1971 Model Year 240-Z's. These are the cars with the fresh air exhaust vents on the rear hatch lid and the 240-Z Script Emblems on the rear quarter panels.

The Second Series of Datsun 240-Z's began production in Jan. of 1971 and Nissan restarted the Chassis Serial Numbers for the HLS30's at HLS30 21000 and the HS30's at HS30 00501. Nissan called these the "Late Model 1971 Datsun 240-Z Sports". These are the cars with the fresh air vents moved to the rear quarter panel and the Circle Z emblem. (among other changes).

Yes - there is a large overlap in the VIN's and Build Dates of the Series I 240-Z's that were titled as 1970 Model Year Datsun 240-Z's, and those Titled as 1971 Model Year Datsun 240-Z's. That is to say; that it is easy to find cars with lower VIN's that were titled as 1971 Datsun 240-Z's, than many that were still sold and titled as 1970 Model Year Datsun 240-Z's, here in the States. How the car was sold and then titled, depended upon what month it finally reached the selling dealers, and how the laws of the State within which it was sold were structured. The Series I Datsun 240-Z's meet all the Federal Safety and Emissions standards in place for 1969, 1970 and into March of 1971. So they could legally be sold as any of the three Model Year vehicles.

All that changed when the Federal Government's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and the Federal Emissions Standards set production dates that implemented the specific changes in the laws. So from about April of 1971 forward - only cars meeting the 1971 FMVSS and Emissions Standards could be sold as "1971 Model Year" vehicles, likewise only cars meeting the 72 Standards could be sold and titled as 1972 Model Years, 73 etc etc.

FWIW,

Carl B.