Old Window Sticker

[Gordon]

I just found the original window sticker for my 280 Z. I did'nt buy it new, but I found the sticker in with some of the old paperwork the previous owner gave to me. It does'nt list the A/C on the sticker, but the car has A/C & it looks factory.Was A/C dealer installed in 1978?

Thanks!

[Carl Beck]

For the most part A/C was installed by Nissan {actually DAS} at the Port in 78.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[26th-Z]

Perhaps a little background… DAS stood for Distribution & Auto Service. "Distribution & Auto Service, Inc. provides vehicle processing, logistics, & marine services to the automotive industry. The company was founded in 1969 & is based in Wilmington, California. DAS was formerly operated as a subsidiary of Nissan North America. On April 30, 2005 Distribution & Auto Service, Inc. became a part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.

Distribution & Auto Service, Inc. prepped the Datsuns prior to sending them off to the dealers. The older car carriers (before Nissan had its own fleet) always had an 'acceptable' amount of loss/damage when shipping the cars from Japan. DAS, in addition to just unloading the cars and reloading them on American distribution carriers (trucks, trains and other ships), also checked for contact damage (which also took place during the loading/unloading procedure as well) & salt water damage which took place while the vehicles spent weeks in the holds of these ships. The vehicles were washed & checked to make sure that there was no interior damage and that things like the wheel covers, jack & tools, antenna, spare tire, and optional parts were in the car meaning ready for dealer distribution. DAS was primarily a distribution logistics facility however they did have the capability to perform repairs and assembly functions. What the dealer did was PDI (pre-delivery inspection) which would include waxing, installing the wheel covers, antenna, etc. removing plastic from the interior, etc.

My concern with your question, Gordon, is that the A/C is not described on your window sticker. It should be. What might be a likely explanation is that the A/C was dealer installed as an option after the sale. That's entirely possible.

Edited May 30, 2009 by 26th-Z

[Gordon]

So if the A/C was not listed on the window sticker, than it was not factory installed. If the dealer installed it, than would they have used genuine Datsun parts?

Thanks again!

[JonnyRock]

Perhaps a little background… DAS stood for Distribution & Auto Service. DAS was formerly operated as a subsidiary of Nissan North America. On April 30, 2005 Distribution & Auto Service, Inc. became a part of Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics.

Is the old 'DAS' the same as the current 'DAS' (Dependable Auto Shipping)?

Edited May 31, 2009 by JonnyRock

[sblake01]

So if the A/C was not listed on the window sticker, than it was not factory installed. If the dealer installed it, than would they have used genuine Datsun parts?

Thanks again!

No. Generally they used an ARA kit that used a Sankyo SD508 compressor, an evaporator box designed for the installation, and a universal condensor. Sankyo was bought out by Sanden and the compressor that was used in the system is still available to this day. It's a good system and compares well to the factory system. The 78 I recently sold had the dealer installed system. The term 'dealer installed' should really be 'dealer authorized' since most of the installations were done by an AC shop somewhere local to the dealership.

[26th-Z]

The current ZCCA rules note the ARA kit but describe the compressor as 'York'. I don't know why. I'll look for Sankyo.

I don't know, Jon. Carl may be talking about Dependable. The DAS I'm talking about became WWL.

[Gordon]

Thanks to everyone for the info, I'm going to list my Z for sale and I didn't know if I should list the A/C as being factory or not.

[sblake01]

Thanks to everyone for the info, I'm going to list my Z for sale and I didn't know if I should list the A/C as being factory or not.

This post from an old thread shows another way to tell a factory air equipped 280Z from a non factory air 280Z.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=254911&postcount=6

[Carl Beck]

The current ZCCA rules note the ARA kit but describe the compressor as 'York'. I don't know why.

Hi Chris:

That "York" reference may apply to the 240Z. The aftermarket kits used the York piston compressors at that point in time.

Once the 280Z's started to arrive with Factory or Port Installed A/C they used Hatachi Rotary Compressors - - there were no Air Pumps on the L28's, so the rotary compressors were mounted on the lower left of the engine.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[Gordon]

This post from an old thread shows another way to tell a factory air equipped 280Z from a non factory air 280Z.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showpost.php?p=254911&postcount=6

Now I'm confused.I definatley have the factory control assembly, the one with the 4 speed fan, but the window sticker does not list A/C. I did find a "Packing List For Datsun 280Z (Parts Number B7000 N7600)" and "How To Install Air Conditioner (For Datsun 280Z)". So I'm going to guess it is a factory unit installed at the port or by the dealer.

Thanks again!