JonCutThroat Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Hey, guys. I think this is the most appropriate place to put this. I need clarification on reading the VIN on these cars. I was under the Impression that the HLS30 was read as H=L24, L=LHD, and S30 is obviously the body style, then the numbers following were the production number. That's where I get lost because according to my references, only 60,000-something 240z,s were produced in 1972 (My model's year), and of that, only 52,628 made it to the US. That being the case, how is mine # 99,336? I know someone out there knows what I'm doing wrong, so someone help, please? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 The serial number represents total, and not model year production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharaohabq Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Are you sure it's a 240Z? Nissan/Datsun was a little vague on the actual VIN's It may be that yours is a 73, or some such. Do you have any pictures? It's not fuel injected is it? Assuming it is a 72' as you say. 99336 could be possible since Nissan didn't start each year with a new vin series. All the 240Z's were numbered starting at 00001 but 000013 was the first sold in the US. so lets see from the Zhome website: 1970 16,215 1201 319 2 3 1971 33,684 3440 894 264 89 1972 52,628 4020 362 549 494 1973 45,588 2537 783 1,114 430 Sub-totals 148,115 11,198 2,358 1,929 1,016Total 164,616Your car is a 72' so though 72' there were about 102527 US production cars, that means that your VIN of 99336 is not unreasonable and could mean yours is a late 72' car which could have some "1973" production traits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonCutThroat Posted July 29, 2013 Author Share Posted July 29, 2013 I snapped a picture of the tag earlier, but I guess I'm just a newb, cause I can't figure out how to attach it without a photobucket or something. (Guess they changed the interface since the last time I uploaded pictures in a post.)Door tag obviously matches.The car was altered from the time I bought it, so I don't know what to look for, otherwise. It has a 3.1 stroker (N42 combo), I believe it's a Rebello, but my only clue was "A reputable shop in the Z community built the engine in NorCal." It's sporting a pair of S.U.'s right now and also has a 5 speed manual. The inside has aftermarket seats and steering wheel, too. I haven't changed too much on it since I bought it, otherwise. Let me know if there's something specifically that you'd like to see. The engine is kinda torn apart right now, but I'd be happy to oblige, otherwise, in the interest of learning something new about my car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leon Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 You have a 1972 240Z. To attach photos, click "more reply options" underneath the text window and then look below for an "attach files" option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonCutThroat Posted July 30, 2013 Author Share Posted July 30, 2013 Well I guess posting a picture of the tag is irrelevant at this point, but I am still intrigued by what 73 features may have been utilized on my Z. I read through the Classic Z stuff a bit to see some of the features that changed. My understanding is that in 73 they switched from fiberglass to steel headlight buckets, which mine has, but that's not to say someone along the last 40 years didn't just replace some old, busted buckets, or something. I'll be scouring the site for leads or photos to compare with my car, but if anyone happens to find or want to see something on mine for comparison, Let me know. Otherwise, thanks for the help/clarification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 "Are you sure it's a 240Z? " the Black Dragon Auto VIN Listing shows good year-breaks. I would like to know how it's not since HLS30-156466 is a 73 240Z that I have owned since 1988, and which I bought from the second owner! The "odd throwbacks" happened in the JDM where classification wasn't such a sticky thing like it is here in the USA. I have seen VIN's run non-consecutively there, with S30-110661 being a 240-Style Assembled vehicle, whereas S30-108XXX was a Later 260/280 style body! That doesn't happen in the USA, the VIN's were reported on Import Documentation to the Feds, and classified pretty anally....if not for FMVSS/DOT compliance, for EPA Compliance. Anybody seen a US-Spec 1975 260Z? They were out there, and listed in the sales literature of the day... one of those quirks of the EPA/DOT Disconnect in the early emissions years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharaohabq Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Well tony that's exactly why I asked if he's sure it's a 240Z, Nissan had some funky Vin numberings. Did they start counting over again with the 260Z? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
280zex Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 (edited) The real fun begins when you find that you have a early production 280z, that still has the left over 260z interior parts!!! My 280Z was produced in 8/1976, however the rear interior hatch (the spare tire cover/deck) area does have the 260z components! doh!! HLS30-330228 produced 8/1976 Edited July 30, 2013 by 280zex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 (edited) Well tony that's exactly why I asked if he's sure it's a 240Z, Nissan had some funky Vin numberings. Did they start counting over again with the 260Z?No, they did NOT have funky numberings in this market. It MUST be a 240Z as stated earlier as that VIN Sequence DOES NOT repeat in the 280Z Chassis. This is why I referenced The Black Dragon Auto site... Starting in 9/74 you could get an HLS30 (280Z, 1975) or an RLS30 (260Z, 1975 By FMVSS/DOT, but 1974 by EPA) The issues in build out cars after 6/76 weren't that bad...they didn't really have "260 Parts" they had "Early 280Z Parts" A 1975 280Z had a Center Console with a choke lever hole, and a blocking plate in it. The 1976's had a console with no choke lever hole at all. That's using a 260 part! Otherwise they just turned into 280Z Parts, as 280's and 260's were produced concurrently for those few months of 1974 for the US Market. Hell, small "75280Z" fuel tanks were produced to the introduction of the S130 (280ZX) as the JDM cars never used space savers nor 5mph bumpers. And for everyone else, they were getting RLS30's till the S130 was introduced, with the same 1972 / 240Z style bumpers right to the end! Edited August 5, 2013 by Tony D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted August 5, 2013 Share Posted August 5, 2013 http://www.blackdragonauto.com/pdfcatalogs/pdf/zr/zrComplete.pdf Page 11 answers your question with no equivocation: 9/71-6/72 production date, 1972 model. It's quite clear-cut, actually. Nothing "funky" about it whatsoever! You will see within a model run no VINS cross, nor do they backdate. Like I said, in the North American Market it's quite well delineated. My only dispute with this chart is the 12/74 produced vehicles as I have a 12/74 production 260Z, they were being produced. But your VIN doesn't even remotely come near any production break or change whatsoever. It's clearly on of the most produced 240's made--the 1972! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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