VIN help

[sblake01]

The pics can be viewed larger. That looks like a 77-78 280Z hood to me.

[Oregon260z]

I mean no disrespect to anyone. I am fairly new to Z's so I have been doing a lot of internet surfing and researching. I have seen several 260z with the exact same combos as mine (hood vents, carbs and the 'towel bar'). Now, I know some of you have said that the hood must be from a late 70's model and the carbs are from a 240z...but in a purely statistical analysis of the situation the likelihood that other 260z owners would put on the exact same three options is about as good as the odds of winning the lottery!! Below you will see I have located links to two examples of what I mean. I have seen more examples then just these two and I will add the links as I refind them.

Like I said I mean no disrespect just curious how Iam seeing other 260z with the exact same things as mine so frequently.

Again, I appologize for bringing it up but this is how I learn-asking questions and analyzing data.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2080687

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3349288

Edited March 13, 2010 by Oregon260z

[Arne]

The early carbs are a very common swap to replace the trouble-prone emissions carbs on the '73 240Z and all US 260Zs. You'll probably find more 260Zs with 240Z carbs these days than you will see with their original flat-top carbs. Very common mod to make them run better. You should be happy that yours is so equipped. (BTW, they appear to be four-screw carbs from a late '70-71. Not from a '72.)

The hoods and bumper bars are similar stories, although perhaps not for the same reasons. The front edge of 240Z and 260Z hoods are very prone to parking lot damage, and over the years many have been replaced with used 280Z hoods, since there are a lot more of those in decent shape due to the large bumpers of the 280Z. As noted, the bumper bars were also a very popular add-on (partly to try to prevent damage to the edge of the hood), and many were installed by the dealers when the car was brand new.

Trust us on this, neither your vented hood nor your bumper bar are factory original. Dealer mods prior to first sale, perhaps. But not original.

Also, after looking at the pictures, I'm not convinced that the hood really is a 280Z hood, it may be the original 260Z hood with aftermarket vents cut into it. Can't tell for certain without better pictures.

[Oregon260z]

I understand what your saying. These three items are very common add-ons, options, what ever you want to call them. However, the odds of the same three winding up on the same year of vehicle is just too big of a number for me.

As far as the hood vents, the pic I have up is of the vent and the back plate which was mounted on the driver side of the hood. The back plate is the identical color of the car and has the same rust consistancy as the rest of the vehicle. So, again I am still wanting to learn more.

I am like "johnny 5"....more input....more input *from the movie Short Circuit*

[Arne]

First two pics deal with the hood. While the drawing shows the vents, note that the vents themselves (#85 & 86) were not used until 8/76 production, and then note that the hood panel itself was also different at that break point. US 260Zs did not have vents in the hood as delivered to the distributor here in the USA. Definitely added later.

Third picture is of the front bumper. No additional bar shown. Dealer added at best, never installed by the factory.

The factory page on the carbs is too poor a drawing to make conclusions from, so I didn't attach it.

[Oregon260z]

Well I guess if the car isnt original there is no need to restore it : ( so I guess i will have to mod it like all the other ones or just buy a 240z and call it a day. I was hoping it was ERA correct car so I could enter car shows where I live..... Everyone here has either old muscle or stupid ricer hondas wanted to be different.

[sblake01]

Now that I look closely, it is impossible to say whether the vents in your hood are stock '77-78 280Z parts added later, something else added by the dealer while the car was still fresh, or if the entire hood was replaced with a late 280Z hood at some later time. I'd need better pictures to be able to tell.

I thought that too until I noticed that the vents were from a yellow car and the same yellow shows on the underside of the hood meaning that it was once a 77-78 hood that was at some point painted to match the car.

[Oregon260z]

I thought that too until I noticed that the vents were from a yellow car and the same yellow shows on the underside of the hood meaning that it was once a 77-78 hood that was at some point painted to match the car.

It dosent even matter anymore Iam gonna mod the car and then sell it and by a 240z they seem to be the car of choice. But thank you for the input guys I have learned alot.

Edited March 13, 2010 by Oregon260z

[Arne]

Jonathan, if your end goal is to restore a car to factory original, you are correct in that this car may not be the best car to start with. But if your goal is to have/build a nice driving early Z with a few period-correct mods, an early 260Z that is already partly modified is a great starting point, especially if it's not particularly rusty. Don't let us 240Z owners dissuade you from working on the car you already have.

[Oregon260z]

Arne,

I will know what Iam doing once I get the motor out so I can see how much rust is in firewall, I already cut out the rusted floorpans and repaired with new steel the rest of the car seems to be pretty solid but Iam seeing some rust in engine bay so Iam hoping*crossing fingers* that there is no rot thru in firewall area or main areas. If it is too bad not sure where I will go from there.

[Carl Beck]

My 260 vin is RLS30034513,door tag stamped 5/74 ,yours would have a build date close to mine.

The last time it was reported as 6/74.. Did you just look at it or are you going from memory?

thanks,

Carl B.

[beezee]

Carl, 5/74 is stamped on the door tag