Determining series of car

[QCAR17]

Allright, two of the best question guys are in the house right now, hopefully they respond to this question before signing off. I'm refering to Bambikiller, and texasZ.

How do I determine the series of my car I supposedely bought a 1971 240-Z has all engine compartment stickers and plates in tack, and in good shape, do I get the info there?

[MikeW]

You'll want to look at he VIN (both through the windshield and on the plate in the engine compartment). I believe it's also stamped on the firewall. All of those numbers should match. The plate also shows the engine number which should match the number on the block (beneath the spark plugs). Finally, inside the driver's door jamb is a plate that lists the manufacture date.

With all of that information you'll have a better idea of what you've got. Keep in mind that the distinction between models is often blurred. Nissan would keep using old parts even if new parts were being added at the same time.

Here's a good place to look for production changes to see where your car should fit:

http://zhome.com/History/DesignChanges.htm

[QCAR17]

Thanks people,

Will look at all places mentioned and come up with the answer.

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by QCAR17

Allright, two of the best question guys are in the house right now, hopefully they respond to this question before signing off. I'm refering to Bambikiller, and texasZ.

How do I determine the series of my car I supposedely bought a 1971 240-Z has all engine compartment stickers and plates in tack, and in good shape, do I get the info there?

First of all, I'm flattered at your comment, but I must say that there are many others here who know more than I.

Mike W has given you good advice. You should be able to confirm the type of your car with the VIN and the information at ZHome.com. If you do find a need for more help, don't hesitate to post and we'll do our best to help you!

**EDIT**

HLS30 019889 was Last of Series One Body Style

HLS30 21001 was First of Series II Body Style

[MikeW]

Originally posted by mperdue

Weird. So there's a series 1.5 out there somewhere??? Hehehe...

I know you're just joking but there really is overlap. I think the ZHome list just provides the VINs that they're aware of. For instance, look at my information and see how it compares to the list:

HLS30-47431

9/71

1972 model year

flip forward seats

no gas door latch

pockets for seat belt retractors

[Bambikiller240]

Originally posted by MikeW

I know you're just joking but there really is overlap. I think the ZHome list just provides the VINs that they're aware of. For instance, look at my information and see how it compares to the list:

HLS30-47431

9/71

1972 model year

flip forward seats

no gas door latch

pockets for seat belt retractors

Hi Mike:

Your car is similar to mine in most respects, though manufactured two months earlier. Mine is:

HLS30-55703

11/71

1972 Model year

**My seats are the old style NOT flip Forward

No Gas Door latch

pockets for seat belt retractors

Remember, that back in the early 70's the cars for a particular model year went on sale in October of the previous year, so Nissan started production of the cars around July or August so that they could be on-shore in the US, and available by October.

To be sure, there is overlap at different times and places in the Z production time line, but "generally" I've found the info at ZHome to be quite good. With the list of features, a VIN and Production date, QCAR17 should be able to determine what he's got.

[texasz]

Originally posted by QCAR17

Allright, two of the best question guys are in the house right now, hopefully they respond to this question before signing off. I'm refering to Bambikiller, and texasZ.

How do I determine the series of my car I supposedely bought a 1971 240-Z has all engine compartment stickers and plates in tack, and in good shape, do I get the info there?

I'm with Bambi, I too am flattered. However, there are many here that know FAR more then me. I've only been hanging around on this board since about 1/03 and just bought my first Z in 6/03 so I have a LOT to learn still. Anyhow, thank you for the compliment.

As with others here I agree, read up on zhome.com and you will know about as much as the rest of us on this topic. That is where I gained most of my knowledge about what series is what. The rest you will pick up along the way.

I have the following:

HLS30-08215

8/70

1971 Model year

My seats are the old style NOT flip Forward

Gas Door latch

Hatch vents

Verticle defroster lines

240Z pillar emblems

E31 head

NISSAN 2400 - OHC valve cover

Flapper style air cleaner (has Summer/Winter settings)

NO pockets for seat belt retractors

These are many/most, if not all, of the distingushing items on a Series I. I only wish my title said '70.

[2ManyZs]

texasz don't feel bad, mine is an 11/70 and our Vins are 6533 apart.... guess they were really cranking them out by then... over 2000 a month. I just wish I had a four digit VIN...

[Dtsnlvrs]

It is real simple folks...Serial Number was stamped on a chassis when production began....prod date was the date it "Actually" rolled off the line. Now as for series one vs two...if it has a cigar lighter in the dash it is a series two...no questions asked...if the cigar lighter and ash tray cover the fuse box it is a series one....it all has to do with the chassis change to facilitate the later "type B" tranny. Series one should have hatch vents and 240 c pillar emblems, series two should have no hatch vents and vent panels on the c pillar. But mind you I had a 71 with "A" type tranny no hatch vents, and vents on the c pillar.....kinda like lets test the vent theory before we finish the new console design for the later tranny

[Zedrally]

I'll have to chime in here and ruffle some feather of the Left Hookers.

There is no Series 1 or 2. Just early and late model 240's.

As noted there is no cut off date as the S30 series and derivitaives was in a constant state of modification.

Possibly one could concede that the last of the first 500 LHD was the end of a "series", that however would only be true for the LHD market as the RHD market was different again!

There is a wealth of knowledge in a thread started by KATS early this year and hopefully it may dispel this series 1 or 2 myth once read.

[EScanlon]

I'm chiming in and my input is going to seem like a cannonball dive at the local septic pool.

Nissan's production year ran from January to December. That has been established as the main reason why we have vehicles that are "Series One" or as having features that really belong in the next / prior year.

For those of us outside the U.S.; while the designation of Series One or Two doesn't apply, to us in the U.S. it denotes hatch, and vent or not in the pillar, as well as other interior changes.

Series One are generally considered to be:

Vent in Hatch; 240Z emblem on C-Pillar instead of Z / Vented.

Ash Tray in console in front of the shifter; dash hole above flasher switch not cut out, Center console still has the opening for the Hand Throttle, although no mechanism. Same for Left/Right Marker Light Switch which mounts to the right of the Rear Defog Switch.

The Series Two's main difference is the Hatch Vent to Pillar change. There are others, and there are many transition cars. That was the discussion that got us to the conclusion as to the production / model year debate.

2¢

Enrique

[Zedrally]

Originally posted by EScanlon

I'm chiming in and my input is going to seem like a cannonball dive at the local septic pool.

Enrique

Sound's like a belly flop to me.

There was never any attempt to change anyone's opinion on this, merely to highlight the differences between HS & HLS models, rather than to paint all S deriviates into one bundle.

MOM