How do you tell the Z's apart?

[CoastGuardZ]

Ahhh so here it is. A question i hope some can answer with more than "look at the emblems".

How do you tell the 240 260 and 280's apart.

Does anybody have or know where to find a break down for all the years. One that tells what changed (options and trim) each year.

I see that there are 2 models in 71, early and late. What's the difference?

Why is it that people like to replace the 2.4 for the 2.8? Is it the old no replacement for displacement, or did the 2.4 have some shortcomings, ie: hard to get parts, cooling problems, oiling problems.

Just questions. Hard to get answers on the east coast especially up here in Buffalo where if you don't drive american you must be a communist.:tapemouth

[carguyinok]

http://www.geocities.com/~z-car/specs/

[CoastGuardZ]

Much thanks is being sent out to that car guy in Oklahoma!

That helps alot.

Does anybody else have any other info on how to physically tell the z's apart... such as bumpers changes to body panels, size/shape of window or lights.

Thanks again!

[McZ]

All 240s have the word DATSUN on the front fenders behind the wheels 260s & 280s have 260Z & 280Z. 240s & 260s have the front turn signals below the bumper at the corners, 280s are above in the grill. Series I 240s (mostly '70s, sometimes '69 & '71s) have 240Z on the roof pillars instead of the round Z emblem & two vents on the back hatch below the glass.

[carguyinok]

I think the easy way is getting to know the bumpers.

The early Z had thin nice looking bumpers but as the years go on they get into the big crash bumpers.

I dont know what was on each year. sorry.

[Zvoiture]

Thin bumpers are on 240's and a version of them (almost identical) are on 260's. And the overriders come and go with individual whim....Bumpers are not an ideal way to tell 240's apart....

Fat, crash bumpers appeared on the280 when it first came out for the '75 model. Look at the 'wrap-around'--the black fat rubber side pieces that connect the bumper to the body. '75 and '76 are smooth with a single groove running their length. '77 and '78 have 'accordian' bellows.

CAVEAT: I am speaking of USA vehicles only!

steve(psych!--NO BUMPERS!)77

[EScanlon]

Look at www.zhome.com

They have an extensive list of differences, similarities etc.

[Alfadog]

No one's mentioned the tail lights yet..

The 240 has its indicator as a part of the light cluster, whereas the 260 and 280 have it seperately.

We dont get the 280Z here so it's a lot easier to tell them apart