daddz

Van, I am joining this thread a bit late but it looks like you have gotten some good information so far. Do you have any service records or receipts that came with your car? In addition check the data plate located in the driver's side doorjamb as the U.S. specification cars had this tag applied to the b-pillar. It will repeat the chassis number and give you a month and year for your production date. Also, remove your spare tire cover (right hand side as you face the taillights--same side as the gas cap) and look on the back of it. There may be still legible two sets of numbers. We are concerned with a set that will appear in this format: 56.4.28 and for another example 56.10.30 These numbers are dates in the Showa format. Without getting into too much history 'Showa' refers to the Emperor of Japan and at the time of your car's assembly the Showa period was in existance. The Showa period begins in 1925 and the '56' in the examples above is the year (1925 + 56 = 1981) and the '4' would be 4th month or April and the '28' would be the 28th day. Putting this altogether we get: April 28,1981 and the other example would be October 30,1981. These two dates were found in both of my 280ZX's. Don't be alrmed if the dates don't fit rigidly. For example my '82 280ZX is 10/30/81 and yet the data tag is stamped '11/81'. This is also a good place to find and see the original color of your ZX as well as to verify that there isn't a bunch of rust in your spare tire well. The 280ZX's have been known to rust badly in that location so it's a good idea to check it. For what it's worth I do have a 280ZX hood, driver's side fender with headlight bucket and lower front valence panel end, (Nissan parts sticker visible under the primer) that I would like to find a new home for. The hood is a '81.5-'83 style which has different ducting from the '79-'81. Lastly, if you have a chance post some pics of your 280ZX so we can see what we're talking about.

There were a couple of these in a box in the back of HLS30-08323 when I acquired it. The rest of the parts were some fan belts, condenser, the two oil filters, a speedo. cable and some misc. parts. The date on the receipt was Nov. 1979! The totoal on the receipt back then came to about $120. I have pictures in my gallery.

Arne, I just had my '77 280Z's exhaust replaced with a custom welded 2.25" exhaust and it utitlizes a Magnaflow muffler and sounds really good considering it still has the stock exhaust manifold. I have a new NOS Nissan exhaust for a 280Z and I just measured it: 1.75"

Wow. Looks like great weather and good turnouot. Very clean bunch of Z's and Roadsters-- good to see all generations together.

Mark, You know how the Z car thing works: one is never enough. In all seriousness though the lack of records and the rust issue is an area of concern. at the moment I am gathering some information on a Ca. 240Z (blue plate special) which is a weird animal. It is date stamped as an 08/70 yet the serial number is HLS30-02847 (maybe the numbers should be 08247--as mine is an 08/70 with 08323). In any case it seems like a nice car but no history. http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/car/207018007.html

Darrel, Ture. I forgot to mention that but they don't mind if you decide to take the car on a cross-country trip which is also a nice feature for those that like to participate in long distance vintage events such as the New England 1000 and such.

Thanks Carl, I was at a loss and couldn't remember Gorham's name when typing my last post. With regard to Nissan falling behind to Toyota--put the last nail in that coffin. Nissan couldn't possibly hope to catch up to Toyota unless something drastic were to happen to Toyota as they have such a strong cash position among other factors going for them.