How to get info from my VIN# edit

[bigjohnsonzc]

I just bought an older fairlady, I am bothered because it only has the vin number, no other means of telling what year it really is and or what the original color is, engine size or anything else.

So how can i get info from the vin that i do have.

I do believe that the engine is orginal aswell but how can i find this stuff out?

my vin # is ... GS31010985

[Walter Moore]

Actually if it is a 1977 you are quoting the vehicle serial number, not a VIN. Particularly since it is supposed to be a Japanese home market car.

Vehicle Identification Numbers, as used in the U.S. started in the 1981 model year.

Try searching the forms for model designations. Part of that number should be an "S30" since that is the model designation for the Z cars. Somewhere here there should be a topic that addresses what a GS30 would be. I am not sure what a GS31 is.

As for the number, the digits after the model designation of GS30 (31?) are simply a serial number. In essence it is a count of the number of cars made in that series up to that car.

It is not a VIN designation, with all of the model, engine, color, transmission, etc data coded into a single number as is done on cars today.

There should be a plate in the engine compartment that lists the engine serial number, displacement, and HP. (In Japanese if it really is a Fairlady.)

Hopefully some of our resident experts on the home market cars help you with the remainder of your car's description. I have not heard of a home market car with an L28, but I don't know much about the subject.

[e_racer1999]

think you read the vin wrong. GS30110985? all you'll be able to tell is the year and engine size

my bad; GS31 is jdm 2+2. probably an L20 stock

The Japanese market cars changed from the 'S30' model code to 'S31' in late 1975.

All the 'S31' cars used the injected L20E engine, but previous domestic models used the L20, L24 and S20 engines.

There was a brief period in Japan where RS30 ( L26 engined ) models were being made for domestic sale, but after problems with them the Factory converted these cars to L20 engines and restamped the VINs accordingly.

rusty260z,

That 'G' prefix on your car denotes a 2+2, and the fact that its a a 'GS31' shows that it is a Japanese home market 'Fairlady 2/2' model. I think you know that already.SNIP

[HotRod-Z]

http://www.blackdragonauto.com/icatalog/z/t.asp?page=8

That will give you some idea what you have but from what I understand it's hard to match engine/trans. #'s to the body.

[26th-Z]

The VIN makes sense. 1976-1978 Japanese market Fairlady Z or Z-L 2 by 2 with the L20E engine. Standard transmisson for the GS31 (Z-L model) was a five speed manual or 3-speed automatic, and a 4-speed manual transmission for the GS31-S. There was also the GS31-J (Fairlady Z-T model) which came with the L20E engine and a 5-speed manual or 3-speed automatic. These cars were in production between July 1976 and August 1978.

[Mr Camouflage]

There is no information in the vin other than GS31. That didn't start until the 80's.

There is no way to find the information you want, unless Nissan kept records associated with your specific cars VIN.

[Mr Camouflage]

That will give you no idea, since its for US cars.

[boyblunda]

Can you please check your VIN # again against what you originally posted and confirm its accuracy? There are some registries that people might be able to use to approximate the build date but I am not sure if there is much readily available on Japanese market cars if it is your 280Z you are referring to. Do you know much about the history of the car?

[Nota280]

I have a GS31 registered in California as a 1978 model. The body number on it is GS31017704.

Originally it was White from the factory. The motor was an L20 with an automatic. The rear end was a R180 with 4:11 gearing.

English information is in limited supply. Does yours have power windows by chance?

[HS30-H]

my vin # is ... GS31010985

GS31-010985 is a 'Fairlady Z 2/2' model, built in mid-1977.

I'd *estimate* a build date of around June or July 1977 judging by the serial number, but if you have a poke around on the car you will easily be able to get closer to the manufacturing month by cross-referencing quality control stamps on the individual components of the car. We have covered the subject many times on this forum in the past, so use the SEARCH button to dredge up some useful info.

There are three spec possibilities if the car is manual trans, and two spec possibilities if it is automatic trans:

Manual = GS31-S 'Fairlady Z-L', GS31 'Fairlady Z' or GS31-J 'Fairlady Z-T'.

Auto = GS31-A 'Fairlady Z-L' or GS31-AJ 'Fairlady Z-T'.

'Z-T' models had the 'higher' ( ie more expensive ) spec.

'Z-L' was considered 'normal' ( or deluxe ) spec.

'Z' was the bargain basement no frills spec. ( ironically rarest these days ).

If it has a 4-speed manual trans it is most likely a GS31-S, but I would have thought that if somebody had taken the trouble to export it outside Japan then it will be more likely that it is either a 'Z-L' or 'Z-T' with a 5-speed manual trans or auto. Diff ratio will depend on model, but all the GS31s left the factory with the NAPS ( Nissan Anti Pollution System ) version of the L20AE, and the exact spec of the engine again will depend on model type, and whether manual or auto trans.

Original engine numbers for the S31 models ( both two seater and 2/2 ) started at L20-265834 according to period Nissan documentation, so you can expect your engine number to be higher than that by many thousands.

Your original engine bay data plate probably would not state the engine number.

Specs and details on these late Japanese market S31 models are very complicated, and the customer had many options available to choose from when ordering his new car - so the final product can vary somewhat from original brochure specs. Makes your life as the new owner a little more interesting........

Alan T.