Yup, everything you describe is correct for a '72-73 console. The '70-71 is completely different (as you've discovered).

I've just emailed the 2nd owner for verification that he did not replace the console, 'cause I know I didn't in the first seven years of its life.

Hopefully he'll verify that it was replaced while he had the car. If he swears he never changed it then someone is forgetting something and I'm hoping it's not you.

Clearly it's a later console and the fact that it has the ash tray with the sliding cover behind the shifter confirms that. The early fuse panel cover with the integrated ash tray/lighter doesn't even look like it fits properly in your picture. The two switches in that cover are not original. Do you know what they control? Is the ash tray part still functional?

Quick answer to MikeW: The switches aren't functional, just there.

Got a reply from 2nd owner, Mike. He said he didn't change anything. Therefore, I must have, although 1) I don't remember doing that, 2) I didn't have the $$ to change it, and c) I did not have a reason to change it. Plus the fact that early on in the car's life, I installed mechanical gauges on a plate and mounted them over the fuse box in lieu of the cover/ash tray. Geez.

Besides, I put out a considerable number of Winstons in that ash tray behind the shifter....

Is it possible that an 01/70 build car could have a Series 2 console? Naw, I didn't think it likely, either.

Thanks for the help, guys. I sincerely appreciate your efforts to unfog this foggy noggin.

Frank

Is it possible that an 01/70 build car could have a Series 2 console?

Stranger things have happened. Either that or you or the other owner are either mistaken or suffer from CRS because Nissan, you, and he seem to be the only ones that had access to the car.

Stranger things have happened. Either that or you or the other owner are either mistaken or suffer from CRS because Nissan, you, and he seem to be the only ones that had access to the car.

A protype series 3 console and shift boot original to a Jan 1970 car (fourth month of production)? I don't think so. Those consoles weren't used until late 1971, almost 2 years later. I think forgotting that it was replaced at some point 30-40 years ago is more likely.

-Mike

I know what console it is. I was being just a bit facetious with the first sentence of my comment and somewhat obtuse with the rest........