RLS30-01276- date??

[torker]

Hi all, Been searching to pin down a manuf. date for my sons 260. I have been to Becks page z-home but all I could find was 240 # and I landed on a 2003 thread with an online registry=most helpful so far. As far as I can tell the car may be 8-73 as 1001 and 1019 are then and it seems to jump pretty fast.

Does this sound right? Thanks for any help. Dave

ps. The drivers door plate has been painted:stupid: All I do see is the vin and another #8 stamped up near the top.

Well, I got brave and took laquer thinner to the plate on the drivers door. wala it is 8-73 I didn't realize they did such a good job on the tags. Very tough stencil. I was able to get all the paint off without hurting the lettering. Now to look for more parts

Edited September 28, 2010 by torker
found it.

[tlorber]

Interesting. My 240 has a 8/73 date. I believe the VIN is 169371.

[torker]

Only thing I can think is they kept making some 240s while they started the 260 line. I am sure someone on here knows for sure. I needed to know because looking at parts they kept showing an early and late version-both for the 260. Confusing. Mine is the early as they made them through 74.

[sblake01]

Anything from RLS30-00001 to RLS30-60000 (smaller 240Z type bumpers) is an early 74. RLS30-60001 and up (larger 280Z type bumpers) is a late 74.

[Carl Beck]

8/74 should have started production of the 280Z for North America. The L28E was late getting though development and EPA testing/certification and wasn't ready for production until late 12/74. The production lines and suppliers were all ready with the 280Z body as of 08/74.. so the 280Z body was put into production 08/74.. but then equipped with the EPA certified L26... thus the "late model 260Z".

FWIW,

Carl B.

[torker]

8/74 should have started production of the 280Z for North America. The L28E was late getting though development and EPA testing/certification and wasn't ready for production until late 12/74. The production lines and suppliers were all ready with the 280Z body as of 08/74.. so the 280Z body was put into production 08/74.. but then equipped with the EPA certified L26... thus the "late model 260Z".

FWIW,

Carl B.

I see:cool: So that is why the "280Z" turn signals in the grill, larger bumpers, but early engine? Do I have that right?

[sblake01]

I believe all 260Zs had the "280Z" turn signals in the grill but your car based on the VIN should have the smaller 73 240Z type bumpers rather than the ones that look somewhat like the ones in my avatar, right? If that's the car in question in your avitar, it's an early 260Z.

Edited September 29, 2010 by sblake01

[clayton 260z]

The early 260 had the front valence turn signal just like the 240, it was changed over to the 280 grill style in the late version of the 260. That would be for the American version the European version of the 260 I am not sure of, it was produced for many years longer.

FWIW

Edited September 29, 2010 by clayton 260z
spelling

[torker]

Ok yea mine , actually my sons car is the early one in the avatar. I was wondering because they keep showing 70-8/74 and 9/74-78 for stuff like airdams. It looks like the 9/74 and newer got the bigger bumpers and the turns in the grill. Which I may go to. My son took off the front bumper/he hates it. So I have been looking at the type II and III air dams that are also a faux bumper. Of course when I do then I'll need the signals in the grill.

Can you tell this is my first foray into this type of carLOL

[torker]

The early 260 had the front valence turn signal just like the 240, it was changed over to the 280 grill style in the late version of the 260. That would be for the American version the European version of the 260 I am not sure of, it was produced for many years longer.

FWIW

Clayton, I gotta ask. Is the green car in the gallery with the body kit your car?

If so, Very very nice. If this 260 were mine and not my sons THAT IS the engine bay I would strive to build. Also what airdam/bodykit is that? Looks like maybe you hid the front turns behind the grill?

Sweet car!!

[Carl Beck]

I see:cool: So that is why the "280Z" turn signals in the grill, larger bumpers, but early engine? Do I have that right?

That is correct. The late 260Z has the complete 280Z body and interior. The 280Z radiator was increased in lenght - the lower radiator core support was strengthened, and the lower center valance on the 280Z body curves down to cover them and to allow more airflow into the larger radiator. The 280Z body for the U.S. has a lot of reinforcing metal to carry and support the larger 5mph impact bumpers.

Eiji has a lot of good pictures related to the 280Z body differences relative to the earlier 240Z body.

You can scroll down though a couple months of his Blog..

http://blog.livedoor.jp/datsunspirit/archives/2006-08.html

http://blog.livedoor.jp/datsunspirit/archives/2006-09.html

FWIW,

Carl B

[torker]

That is awesome. Thanks for the links Carl. Lots of good info with excellent pics.