vin number questions

[sweatybetty]

hello all, new guy here.

i just bought a 73 240z. it has a vin # (hls30xxxxx  5 digits)  stamped in the firewall which matches the title papers. there is a plate on the left door post which has a different vin number (hls30xxxxxx  6digits) which also matches the tag on the shock tower. the tag on the dash is gone which isnt a big deal according to the dmv. so my question is, which is the correct vin #? is this common or has the tag on the door post been swapped?

 

thanks all      sb

[SteveJ]

Not enough information.

Look at this for more information on Z car VINs: http://www.blackdragonauto.com/icatalog/zr/full.aspx?Page=11

Are the digits completely different between the firewall and the plates?

[wheee!]

Sounds like your car may have received a new front clip, firewall forward....

 

that's a little iffy...

[sweatybetty]

Not enough information.

Look at this for more information on Z car VINs: http://www.blackdragonauto.com/icatalog/zr/full.aspx?Page=11

Are the digits completely different between the firewall and the plates?

thank you for the link. and yes they are completely different numbers

[sweatybetty]

Sounds like your car may have received a new front clip, firewall forward....

 

that's a little iffy...

if so, whoever did the work is very highly skilled

[Mark Maras]

 I think I'd crawl underneath and start looking for any welded repairs. Should you find major repairs,and they are well done, the car may be better than an original. My point is, I bought my first Z (used) in 73. Over the years I came to the conclusion that the car had, in fact, been previously totaled. Clues such as Bondo in the top, a dent in the drive shaft, a mysterious dent in the exhaust header pipe at frame level. I drove the car daily for 23 years & it was by far the BEST car of any kind I have ever owned & driven. 

[wheee!]

if so, whoever did the work is very highly skilled

 

I have seen it done both ways... good and bad...

 

If yours is indeed a salvage, let's hope it was done professionally! Looking forward to the answer to your question.

[SteveJ]

Someone might have cut the firewall out of a wrecked car to replace a firewall rusted out from exposure to battery acid and clutch fluid.

[Mark Maras]

Good call Steve. The battery tray and fender well below it should show signs of repair too. They usually go hand in hand.

[sweatybetty]

ill post some pics later that may help.

thanks all

[Captain Obvious]

You said the VIN stamped in the firewall is HLS30 and then just five digits? The info on the page that SteveJ posted looks like all the VIN's are supposed to be six digits. Are you sure yours is just five?

 

And than about the mismatched numbers, seems more likely to me that someone took the (screw removable) aluminum plates off to paint the car and never put them back on. Car changed ownership and the new owner thought it looked weird to be missing those plates, so he grabbed a pair off a wreck and screwed them to the car. Then you bought it? Maybe?

[jwtaylor]

My 12/70 build 240Z only has 5 digits after the HLS30 stamped on the firewall or the ID plates for that mater.  I do not think Nissan worried about having 6 digits.

 

That data from Black Dragon also claims the production dates were 10/69 to 5/70 for the series one cars.  So they built all the cars up to serial number 21000 by May of 1970 and then stamped build dates as they sold them?  I find that hard to believe.

Edited October 20, 2015 by jwtaylor