Atlanta guy needs 240Z help

[Vintage Racer]

My first post is a plea for help. I found a 1970 (or 1971) 240Z in a barn.

Can someone tell me what digit in the serial number tells me if the car is a 1970 or 1971?

Anyone have a good link to specifications on the 1970 car? (I searched but couldn't find a pure spec thread).

Thanks,

Doc

(former owner of a 260Z, 280Z, and a 280ZX).

[MikeW]

VINs don't work that way on 240Zs. They were simply sequential numbers and there was often overlap around model year changeovers. You'll find some cars registered as 1970 models having higher VINs than others registered as a 1971 model. Have a look at this page to help distinguish:

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

[Arne]

Doc, welcome. Hope it works out for you.

In answer to your question, there is no digit back then that identifies the model year. The VIN didn't start to contain that info until 1981 or so.

Instead, in the USA you can use the build date, which should be on a data plate riveted tot he driver's door jamb. Or we can make an educated guess from the VIN itself.

First, if it is an automatic, it is definitely a '71. If the build date is prior to 9/70, it is a '70. If the build date is 1/71 or later, it is a '71. If it is between 9/70 and 12/70 (inclusive) it is generally considered to be a '71, but may have been titled as a '70.

[BRE-240Z]

First, if it is an automatic, it is definitely a '71.

I don't know if that's strictly true. Doesn't Kurt Walters have a '70 automatic?

I want to say the vin is in the HLS30-7XXX range.

[Vintage Racer]

VINs don't work that way on 240Zs.

Mike,

Thanks for the link and good tech. That should help me distinguish whether it is a '70 or a '71 (he said it was a '71 and his wife said it was a '70 :cross-eye ). I decided I'd better find out what the factory thought it was rather than trust their paperwork.

Instead, in the USA you can use the build date, which should be on a data plate riveted to the driver's door jamb. Or we can make an educated guess from the VIN itself.

Your red car is very nice.

Thanks for mentioning the door data plate. I also noticed that the above link said that a '70 has an oil pressure gauge that goes to 140psi (I realize the gauge could have been changed).

BTW, this car does have a 4-point roll bar in it. There are no signs that the car was ever raced (SCCA tech stickers, etc.). It also has about the ugliest aftermarket wheels (mags) that I've ever seen. :sick:

[Vintage Racer]

I finally got the owner on the phone. I got the serial number: HLS30 30855. It seems it must be a 1971 Series 11 car.

I was hoping that it was a 1970, but so be it. He also raised his price.

I am beginning to think that I should just buy a car that is already restored. I've rebuilt too may cars and know it always cost more to rebuild than one thinks.

Although I am slow, I can do decent mechanical work. But I am a terrible painter, and the car needs a complete paint job.

[gogriz91]

See where the guy is in a month or two, if he's eager to sell, he may back off raising the price.

If you're out and about you might drop by Radatz Motorsports in Kennesaw or John Williams' shop in Sugar Hill. They could give you a better idea of what to expect or where a good '70 model Z may be waiting for a new owner.

[Carl Beck]

Are you looking for a 69 or 70 production year Z to Vintage Race? Or are you looking for a driver that can be set up for weekend duty?

[Vintage Racer]

See where the guy is in a month or two, if he's eager to sell, he may back off raising the price.

I agree. That is my plan. It's been in his barn for years (he said he drove it in without problems) so it can stay there. If I can't make a deal on it, I'll post it here and see if someone else is braver than me.

Thanks for the heads-up on the shops. I remember a guy that owned a shop inside I-285 (Buford Hwy. or Peachtree Indus). I think it was called the Z-Shop.

Are you looking for a 69 or 70 production year Z to Vintage Race? Or are you looking for a driver that can be set up for weekend duty?

Please kill me if I buy another race car. :classic: It's like riding down the road and throwing money out the window.

I was just looking for a 240Z. This one was maybe supposed to be a 1970. Yea, a weekend driver car is all all that I am looking for.

[DougN]

Are you set on a 69/70 production car, or are you open to any good 240Z? Also, what is your price range for a restored car if you want to go that route?

[Vintage Racer]

Are you set on a 69/70 production car, or are you open to any good 240Z? Also, what is your price range for a restored car if you want to go that route?

The car that I previously mentioned may now go back to its original owner. I had an inquiry about it and sent the contact information. IMO, a real car guy always wants this to happen.

But yea, I am interested in a 240Z (of any kind). I am sorry, but I can't state my price range on the public forum (I may get offers for a Samsung TV :stupid: ).

I'll submit a clue. The 240Z will be parked next to my Porsche. My Porsche is a "fake" RS. But I sourced all of the original parts to get it to today's condition.

I am in no hurry to buy that perfect 240. But I do seek one with the proper paperwork and owner "babied" condition.

[Arne]

So let's see if I can guess what you are after -- you want a numbers matching 240Z that can be built into a nice, period-correct weekend driver?

If that is the case, don't rule out the later 240Zs. There were improvements in each production change. The Series 2 (late '71s) had improvements over the Series 1 cars, the '72s had more improvements, and the '73's were the best of all once the carbs have been back-dated.

Are you willing to ship or travel for the right car? There are a lot more to choose from here on the West Coast.