Concerning Engine Serial Numbers

[wtsawyer]

Having owned a sweet 240Z in 1970, I'm looking at what's purported to be a 1978 280Z 2+2 Turbo. However, when trying to chase down details on this car, I can't find anything when only entering the 12-digit VIN: HGS130-1130XX. Any suggestions where I can obtain information with only this shortened VIN?

Thanks so much.

[Zed Head]

Turbos weren't introduced until 1981 so 1978 would have to be a modification or engine transplant.

The VINs on these cars don't seem to fit any of the common VIN databases so there's no source of information readily available. And by 1978 Nissan stopped putting the engine serial number on the car's ID plate so there's no way to connect the engine serial number to the car.

There's only one good way to get information. Go look. Good luck.

Pictures though, would be happily viewed and commented on if you have them.

[SteveJ]

Having owned a sweet 240Z in 1970, I'm looking at what's purported to be a 1978 280Z 2+2 Turbo. However, when trying to chase down details on this car, I can't find anything when only entering the 12-digit VIN: HGS130-1130XX. Any suggestions where I can obtain information with only this shortened VIN?

Thanks so much.

HGS130 = 280ZX 2+2. This sequence was used until Feb 81 according to the link I attached. From the rest of the number, I would guess 1979. Post a picture of the car.

VIN information

[Zed Head]

Good answer. I didn't even really look at the number. Reminds me that I did try to use the FSM once to identify a 1979 by VIN number but couldn't find a number that matched. Which is surprising by the General Information page in the FSM. One of them should have matched, there are so many.

I looked in 78, 80 and 81 also. I don't see any HGS... numbers. All of the Model numbers are HLS..., KLS, or GHLS...

The L means left-hand drive so maybe they just left it out for the non-Japanese market. It's in all of the FSM's though as a descriptor.

You're right though about ZX = S130. Most likely a 78 build date 1979 280ZX. Probably with a transplanted turbo motor.

Edit - added the legend

Edited May 2, 2013 by Zed Head

[TomoHawk]

I can't find anything when only entering the 12-digit VIN: HGS130-1130XX.

If the L is missing from the HLGS, does it mean it's right-hand-drive?

[SteveJ]

If the L is missing from the HLGS, does it mean it's right-hand-drive?

The VIN for a 79 US 280ZX does not have an L in it. Do not confuse the model information with the VIN.

[Zed Head]

The GI chapter in the FSM is what makes it confusing. It says that the Model number is part of the what we call the VIN. Model number + serial number = VIN.

I'm think that the US market VIN's are different from Japanese market and the FSM didn't get changed to show that. All US cars start as "L" so they left it out, just like all Japanese cars start as "R" so they don't even recognize it with an "R".

Forget about the "L" and the Model numbers probably make sense.

This is all an aside of course, since the OP can't have a factory-installed turbo even in a 1979 ZX. Unless I'm about to learn something.

[HS30-H]

Japanese market S130-series Z models:

*'S130-S' Fairlady Z ( L20E engine ) 2-seater

*'S130-J' Fairlady Z-T ( L20E engine ) 2-seater

*'S130' Fairlady Z-L ( L20E engine ) 2-seater

*'HS130-J' Fairlady 280Z-T ( L28E engine ) 2-seater

*'HS130' Fairlady 280Z-L ( L28E engine ) 2-seater

*'S130-ST' Fairlady Z Turbo ( L20ET engine ) 2-seater

*'S130-JTB' Fairlady Z-T Turbo ( L20ET engine ) 2-seater

*'S130-T' Fairlady Z-L Turbo ( L20ET engine ) 2-seater

*'GS130-S' Fairlady Z 2by2 ( L20E engine )

*'GS130-J' Fairlady Z-T 2by2 ( L20E engine )

*'GS130' Fairlady Z-L 2by2 ( L20E engine )

*'HGS130-J' Fairlady 280Z-T 2by2 ( L28E engine )

*'HGS130' Fairlady 280Z-L 2by2 ( L28E engine )

*'KGS130-J' Fairlady Z T-Bar Roof 2by2 ( L20E engine )

*'KS130-J' Fairlady Z T-Bar Roof ( L20E engine ) 2-seater

*'KHGS130-JBC' Fairlady 280Z T-Bar Roof 2by2 ( L28E engine )

*'KHS130-JBC' Fairlady 280Z T-Bar Roof ( L28E engine ) 2-seater

*'KGS130-JTB' Fairlady Z T-Bar Roof Turbo 2by2 ( L20ET engine )

*'KS130-JTB' Fairlady Z T-Bar Roof Turbo ( L20ET engine ) 2-seater

*'GS130-ST' Fairlady Z Turbo 2by2 ( L20ET engine )

*'GS130-JTB' Fairlady Z-T Turbo 2by2 ( L20ET engine )

*'GS130-T' Fairlady Z-L Turbo 2by2 ( L20ET engine )

[Zed Head]

Is that for 1979? The Poster of #13 might have be looking a Japanese market car?

Thanks.

Edit - Maybe you're just supplying examples of the Japanese Model numbers. Still not a turbo. And I would guess that a left-hand drive car made for the Japanese market would have the L.

Edited May 2, 2013 by Zed Head

[HS30-H]

Is that for 1979? The Poster of #13 might have be looking a Japanese market car?

It's for the whole run of the Japanese domestic market S130-series Z variants.

If the "VIN" ( 'Katashiki' prefix + body serial number combination ) of the car is indeed 'HGS130' then I would have thought it was likely that it was a Fairlady 280Z-T 2/2 or Fairlady 280Z-L 2/2.

Both had the L28E engine ( injection, non turbo ) as stock equipment, so if it's got a turbo on it I'd guess that it's a later addition.

[HS30-H]

And, by the way:

1981 JDM Nissan 280z Datsun Fairlady Hood Fenders Front End Asembly | eBay

and:

1981 280Z fairlady (RHD) L28 Japan import. So.cal 91316 ($1500) - Cars for Sale - HybridZ

[Zed Head]

I just went and looked at my 1976 S30 and it's an HLS30... Someone on another forum posted about a 77 HLS30...

Did they just get rid of the L for the S130's? Looks like they had it for the S30's.

Wonder what happened to wtsawyer?