I can't remember if I posted this before or not, a quick search makes me think not. Anyway, for those of you who are interested in the odd date codes and such, here is a picture of a tag that I found on top of the transmission tunnel, under the console. The part number that is hand-written on it, seems to indicate a sub-part for the main console. At least, I can't find the entire number on the fiche, but the first half (86700) always is the console itself. Anyone want to take a stab at decoding it?

The 46.7.20 date is July 20, 1971. I agree that the only part I see in my 240z parts catalogs beginning with 86700 are the center console assemblies. The part number for the center console used from 2/71 to 7/71 is 86700-E4155. Since the part number on the tag is hand written maybe it was written incorrectly as 86700-E4635?

-Mike

send a PM to Allan Thomas maybe he can read he Japanese writing . There may be some info in that.

I'm guessing this is a dated inspection/packing tag that was used by the manufacturer to bundle perhaps a dozen pieces together. A dozen bundles would make a gross for example, to a box. The day is filled out by hand along with the part or what could be a lot number. My guess is the console wire harnesses were bundled with these tags, wired or string tied with only one of the bundles packed into the box having one of these tags, as a part of control/count system used by the manufacturer of the harnesses. The date would coincide with the later date of assembly of the vehicle about right. It is probably a rare occurance to find one of these left in the car. Nice find. Hows that for an off the wall WAG?

The tag designates the market destination to be California. This leads me to ask, what is the difference between a North American market model and one destined for California, as far as the console is concerned?

The tag designates the market destination to be California. This leads me to ask, what is the difference between a North American market model and one destined for California, as far as the console is concerned?

To answer my own question, the HLS30-UV would indicate a manual transmission. HLS30-AUV would indicate an automatic transmission. OK, I'll stand pat and give someone else a stab at it.

That's a pretty cool find, Arnie. The E4100 is indeed the whole console assembly. My North American parts book jumps to E4155 at 2/71 however my Japanese parts book makes the jump to E4150. There is no E4635 number listed in either. I like Ron's answer.

Well, everything about the tag is consistent. I found it under the console, and 86700 seems to confirm that it had something to do with console assemblies. The date of July 20, 1971 is consistent with everything else on the car to this point - prod. date 7/71, seat belts 7/71, etc.

I'm wondering if the part number indicates a console sub-part, in the same way that the dash wiring harness has a part number in the fiche, but consists of two sub-harnesses that each have their own number that's not listed anywhere. Perhaps this is the number of one of the metal spreader bars that were glued into the console shell, or something along that line. I dunno, just a guess.

But I do think it's fun to have, even without knowing more about it. Seems to pin my car's production to the final week or so of July, doesn't it?

I typed "build date stamp" in the search box and came up with this list of articles. Great reading for those interested in the production techniques at the time. http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/search.php?searchid=566943

This thread should be referenced in.

26th, I get a "Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms." when I click the link.

26th' date=' I get a "Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms." when I click the link.[/quote']

Just search for "build date stamp" (without the quotes). The resulting URL from a search appears to be tied to a specific user so someone else can't click on the link.

26th' date=' I get a "Sorry - no matches. Please try some different terms." when I click the link.[/quote']I think the search ID is time-stamped. Chris' link worked fine for me earlier today, shortly after he posted it. Doesn't work now, though.

I can't get back into the link either. It worked when I posted. But build date stamp was my search. Good ol' stroll down memory lane, this topic.