Z production dates

[CoastGuardZ]

Alan...(or anyone else that knows for sure),

Please, correct me where I'm wrong and/or fill in the blanks.

S30.........Domestic (Japan) model- right-hand drive

HS30.......Export- right-hand drive

HLS30.....Export- left-hand drive

PS30.......???

Now yours is a H variant, aka: "G-nose". Did any of the other models come as a "G-nose"? Where did the "G" in "G-nose" come from if the code was an "H"?...of course that's assuming that I am right that the -H means "G-nose" and not something else.

Also, do you know of any other variants?

Did all exports receive the L24 only?

Which Engines did the Domestic market get?

When did Z's start being exported with 5 speeds, or did that not happen untill the ZX's?

Thanks in advance!

P.S. Thanks alot Al, now you got me wanting to get a Japanese History book!:beard:

[damian vd berg]

thanks Alan,

My car is produced in april 1970 for sure. I thought it was one of the first productioncars but now I know better.

Literature reports problems in 1969 to deliver to USA, so I thought production for USA really started in 1970?

Regards,

Damian

[HS30-H]

Wow CoastGuard, that's a big homework assignment you've given me...............

I'll have to simplify this to make it more manageable, so here goes;

S30 = basic model type for ALL the below cars ( its not strictly correct to call them all "240Z", as that's only one variant..... )

VIN prefix / model type:

*S30 = Fairlady Z ( Japanese market ). From October 1969.

Can be divided into two sections for early cars: either the basic "S30-S" Fairlady Z with 4sp trans or Auto and "basic" equipment, or the deluxe "S30" Fairlady Z-L with 5sp. trans or Auto, with carpets, hubcaps, rubber bumper trim, tints, etc etc.

Both the above had the L20 2-litre six on twin Hitachi SU's.

*PS30 = Fairlady Z432 ( Japanese market ). From October 1969.

Either the "PS30" Fairlady Z432 ( street model ) or the "PS30-SB" Fairlady Z432-R ( race homologation model ). Both had the S20 24-valve twin-cam six with 3 x 40PHH Mikuni sidedraughts, 5-speed "A" type manual trans, R192 LSD with 4.44 gears, Mitsubishi electronic ignition and loads of detail differences from the L-series engined cars. The 432-R had the 100-litre fuel tank, GRP hood and many other detail differences from the standard 432.

*HS30 = Fairlady 240Z ( Japanese market ). From October 1971.

Can be divided into three sections: "HS30-S" the "basic" model very similar to the "S30-S". "HS30" the "deluxe" model very similar to the "S30". "HS30-H" the Fairlady 240ZG model with FIA / JAF Group 4 homologation aerodynamic parts.

All the three above types came with the L24 engine, and either the 5-speed "A" type manual box or Auto trans.

Note that the "ZG" name derived from the "Grande Nose" appelation, but the suffix "H" on the type code denoted the fact that it left the factory as a ZG. VIN prefix for the ZG was just "HS30".

*HS30 = Export model "240Z" for Right Hand Drive markets ( notably Australia and UK ). Correctly termed "HS30-U" by the factory. From early 1970.

These cars were similar to the deluxe Japanese model, and came with the L24 and "A" type 5sp manual trans or Auto. Usually with 3.9 ratio R180 diff and proper rear anti-roll bar. All but the very first came with an ABS rear spoiler and urethane front bumper. UK cars were modified after first consignment to comply with height regulations on front indicators ( the front side corner indicators were deleted and small repeaters mounted on top of front bumper ). Australian market cars did not change from wraparounds.

*HLS30 = Export model "240Z" for Left Hand Drive markets ( notably USA / North American market ). Correctly termed "HLS30-U" by the factory.

I won't go too far into these, as most of you will know the spec. and the fact that they had a 4sp manual or Auto and no rear anti roll bar.

There was also the "HLS30" export model for Left Hand Drive markets other than USA / North America ( notably Europe ). These cars came with the 5sp. "A" type manual box or Auto, and DID have the rear anti roll bar.

I'm not going into the RS30 / RLS30 / GS30 / GRLS30 etc series here as I would be up all night.

Generally speaking, the early years of Japanese domestic market cars were all 2 Litre ( L20 SOHC or S20 DOHC ) until Oct. 1971 when they also got the choice of the L24.

Most export markets started with the L24 until the L26 and L28 were phased in.

As you can see above, everybody else got the 5sp manual ( "A" type box ) or Auto. from the very beginning. Only the USA / North American market cars got stuck with the 4sp or Auto choice ( bad luck.......... ).

The only code prefixes that you see on the VIN numbers for the earliest cars are "S30", "PS30", "HS30" and "HLS30". All the other info on model type is in the Factory code suffixes, and these are not usually marked on the actual car. So, for example, it might be difficult to discern between a Japanese home-market HS30 and an Australian-market HS30 export model without digging deeper, as both of them would have the VIN prefix "HS30".

I know it sounds awfully complicated ( maybe its my fault for explaining it badly ) but its simpler than you might think. It just gets confusing when the RS30 and others start getting phased in, and Japan carried on using some of the old prefixes. Remember I'm only talking about up to 1974-ish here.

Any use? I'm off to Japan for a week or so tomorrow, so please don't expect any replies to further questions until at least 8th Jan.

Have a good New Year.

Regards,

Alan T.

[sjcurtis]

Rick,

I have been collecting a few numbers as you know and it appears that HS30-001224 was buit in 08/71. This is based chassis numbers behind and infront built in the same month.

Can you complete the engine number from the nissan data plate in the engine bay L24-05XXXX.

cheers

Steve

:classic:

[Rick]

Engine no for HS 300 1224 is L2405 4278.

Is this the original engine?

Rick

[sjcurtis]

Rick,

That engine number should be on your manufacturers data plate, on the front RH strut tower area. If that engine is in your car I would say it is the original, or it was changed at the factory before dispatch.

engine numbers I have seen for that time run from L24 048961 to

L24 O54737 8-9 month of that year and your engine falls in 8 month.

cheers

Steve :classic:

[240 in OZ]

Just to add a little more confusion to the mix, my car is RHD VIN#1282 and it has been dated as 09/71 production from the engine number and comparison with USA numbers.

I have recently got some parts from a guy who is wrecking out RHD VIN#14xx and the engine number on this car is a lower number than mine.It was complianced in 10/71.

Also FWIW it was originally an auto.

Regards

Joseph

[sjcurtis]

240 in OZ,

hi Joeseph, good to here you are sourcing parts from comparable age donors. To the engine number variations, if you look at the engine number flows for the HLS30 you see whole batches of numbers out of sequence, I think it is the same thing you have seen locally. I think the engines for what ever reason do not reach the end of line for OK and installation, so they return to a restart point could be hundreds of serials behind, can be a production shortage of a minor component, or a defective component batch.

Any chance of more info on the donor Zed, maybe compliance, data plate and colours Please.

cheers

Steve

[240 in OZ]

Steve

I understand your current mission and really encourage you to keep up the recording of the production dates of the Aussie 240z cars. But, as this car is not mine, I dont feel right about posting the details of the VIN and the engine number.

I only remember that the VIN# was 14xx. The car was white exterior with a black interior, originally an auto. It also had a black vinyl roof.

The car has been completely stripped and is going to be used in Targa Tasmania next year.

It was a real shame to see it the way I did as it was a totally original car, original elderly lady owner, under 70k miles on it, minimal rust, etc.

I know I shed a few tears over it.

Regards

Joseph

[sjcurtis]

240 in OZ,

Joeseph,

I understand what you are saying. All I can do is ask. I would say in this case could you please ask the owner if he minds sharing the manufacturers build plate information. It is private, someone's personal information about their Zed. If the owner is who I think it is I believe we could be talking about more than one set of data if he is willing to share.

Anyway Joeseph can you ask please

cheers

Steve :classic: