We're selling our 1971 Datsun 240Z with a 260 engine shortly, and some questions have come to us about is this really a 1971 or a 1972....

Clues are appreciated. The title says 1971.

Thanks :surprised

What does the ID plate in the driver door jam say? Plenty of members will be able to tell you by the vin on the dash as well.

There is no doubt, your Z is a 1971. Here is a link showing some of the differences in a 1972.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31742

The Title says '71 its a '71. Just like Detroit cars , the Zs next model year started before the actual end of the calender year. Some of the 1970 240s were built in 1969. I drive a late '73, built 8-'73. The start of the '74 model year was also built 8-'73

Edited October 22, 200816 yr by beandip

Thanks, all. When I get back to the Z, I now have more things to check. There aren't words to express how GREAT this place is, thanks to the likes of you1

Thanks tons! The reason I ask is that we all believe it to be a '71, given that it was purchased before August 1971, but some interested Z lovers wondered about the missing some vents on the rear hatch which I don't ever recall our car having. Baffled and appreciative of all your help. Man, oh man, what an excellent site this is!

I sure appreciate your hanging in there with me to help us all figure things out.

Based on your VIN - HLS30-28499 - it is a 1971, and most likely production month of 4/71 or 5/71. I have HLS30-30855 with production month of 5/71

Ron, thanks for the link, but maybe I missed the boat when I checked

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31742

'cause it didn't give me a clue. I'm a total novice, sorry, and thanks for your patience with me.

Thanks, also, Bill. That helps a lot. Our family is in a spin trying to figure things out, although we've always had this as our one and only Z in our family from the getgo, it's been 37 some years and tough to keep track of these finite points. Hoped to have it in our family forever, but not reality. None of us have the expertise needed to keep this treasure at its prime. All responses here are so appreciated, and BRILLIANT! Thanks.

You mentioned the lack of vents in the hatch. Only the early build '71s had hatch vents the later 71s had vents in the pillers like the later Zs . However the 71s have vertical defroster lines in the hatch glass.

F A N T A S T I C stuff, thanks beandip. It's definitely a '71, does have the vertical defroster lines in the hatch glass, and found many labels on the car one of which also says that mfg date is 1971.

I've taken many more pictures of the great/good and areas that will need more work, given it' 37 almost 38 years old! Amazing Zs withstand curbside parking amazingly well over the years. Wish we were more mechanically inclined, but help from this site is top notch!

I was going to post the photo with all the labels, but having problems uploading it, so sent it up to another link on Dropshots here:

http://www.dropshots.com/astaccs

Thank you again and again.

Since you've all answered my question, should I delete it or should it be kept in case it helps others? :bulb: Will try and attach the pic with the mfg date, if it works.

Edited October 23, 200816 yr by RolfSis