OK, I'll stir the pot in the debate of which market the Z was made for/ optimized for.  Things like hood prop size, brake handle location etc. have been discussed. Here is another:

 

Below we see the S31 (released in Japan only ~ 76 to 78) BUT its rear body panel clearly has unused large holes mandated for the larger 280z bumpers of the North American Market.

 

Just say'n 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 20204 yr by 240260280

21 minutes ago, 240260280 said:

Just say'n 🙂

Have you only just noticed?

Meanwhile, the S30-series Z was conceived, designed, engineered and produced from 1969 with countless details which tell us that it was not "designed" solely for the USA market. That's the key word. Solely...

It makes complete sense for Nissan to have included the holes for the impact bumpers in the (new!) press tooling for the rear panel, and for them to use that rear panel pressing across all market variants. They did the same thing from the beginning of production in many ares of the car. Do you look at the radiator support panel on your '69 car and go through the same thought process? If not, why not? 

 

It fits in the same category as the single rear control arm and extra wiper holes.... but, worth noting just the same.

Edited October 20, 20204 yr by 240260280