mattster03 Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 (edited) I am a bit confused and hoping someone can help clear things up. It seems that there are so many 240Z interior panel replacement kits on the market, but they specifically say "70-73 240Z". And by panels I am referring to the trunk 1/4 panels, dog legs, lamp cover, etc. I have an early '74 260Z that has panels that sure look the same as the 240Z panels... are they the same or subtly different? Or are they the same as late 260Z/280Z panels? I do know that the door panels are different. I searched and couldn't find the answer, hopefully I didn't miss a thread that spells this out already... Edited May 23, 2014 by mattster03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowCarbZ Posted May 23, 2014 Share Posted May 23, 2014 I have an early 74 260Z, I have no idea if the panels are original to that car (I do assume they are). I could take some pictures of them if that would help clear anything up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattster03 Posted May 23, 2014 Author Share Posted May 23, 2014 I don't think pictures would help... my car does have a full interior. I just want to know if when I choose to change them to black if I can buy 240Z panels or if I have to look specifically for early 260Z panels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted May 24, 2014 Share Posted May 24, 2014 I'm quite sure the early 260Z would use the 280Z hatch trims, because if I'm not mistaken it has the raised strut mount points, which is one of the major differences between 240Z and 280Z hatch plastics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattster03 Posted May 25, 2014 Author Share Posted May 25, 2014 Thank you for the info. I will have to research the "raised strut mounts" a bit b/c if it's built into the chassis, an early 260Z should be more like a 240Z since they are the last of the 240Z bodies... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
z240 Posted May 25, 2014 Share Posted May 25, 2014 one key difference in the panels is the fit around the shock tower. If your early 260 has the short rear shock towers like a 240, then they are interchangable. The issue with the hatch support strut is that at some point the right side rear panel has the raised bit that clears the bracket on that side. If you don't have the bracket then you leave a small gap there. No biggy. If you have the later taller strut towers, then there is an extra 3x3 ish notch in the one panel where it fits around the tower. This is the dead give away between early and later 260/shot/tall strut towers. 260 and up interior panels are a nice thick tough ABS plastic, while the 240 panels are that thin crack-prone squeaky fibreglass crap. Nirvana happens when you own a 240 and find a set of those nice thick early 260 panels to replace them with. I'm lucky to be blessed in this fashion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattster03 Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 one key difference in the panels is the fit around the shock tower. If your early 260 has the short rear shock towers like a 240, then they are interchangable. The issue with the hatch support strut is that at some point the right side rear panel has the raised bit that clears the bracket on that side. If you don't have the bracket then you leave a small gap there. No biggy. If you have the later taller strut towers, then there is an extra 3x3 ish notch in the one panel where it fits around the tower. This is the dead give away between early and later 260/shot/tall strut towers. 260 and up interior panels are a nice thick tough ABS plastic, while the 240 panels are that thin crack-prone squeaky fibreglass crap. Nirvana happens when you own a 240 and find a set of those nice thick early 260 panels to replace them with. I'm lucky to be blessed in this fashion. Thanks, this is really helpful. The only question I have is, is there a documented measurement I can take to know if I have the "short" or "tall" rear shock towers? If I took a picture and posted, could someone tell me? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74_5.0L_Z Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 If you have an early 260Z, then it will have the same strut towers as the 240Z. I am not sure on the cut-off number where the chassis began to resemble the 280Z (large bumpers and raised rear strut towers). I do know that both of the 260Zs that I have owned are the early style, and I have mixed and matched interior pieces that I used from a 240Z. The first 260Z that I owned was manufactured in 08/73 (RLS30-000481) and the current 260Z that I own was manufactured in 04/74. Both cars have more in common with the 1973 240Z than they do with the 1975 280Z. Neither has the big bumpers and neither has the raised strut towers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattster03 Posted May 26, 2014 Author Share Posted May 26, 2014 (edited) Excellent info, thank you very much. My 260Z is Vin#RLS30-004235 , I have not yet been able to read the plate in the door jamb to find out the production date; the previous owner decided to paint over it . The car has all the bodily signs of the 240Z, small bumpers, indentations on the rear quarter panels for the bumpers, turn signals below the headlights, etc. If I measure the strut tube lengths, this should be a good indicator, right? Edited May 26, 2014 by mattster03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
74_5.0L_Z Posted May 26, 2014 Share Posted May 26, 2014 My second 260Z (the one made in 04/74) has VIN RLS30-27435, so I think you can be assured that your car is an early 260Z and has the 240Z style rear strut towers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rturbo 930 Posted May 27, 2014 Share Posted May 27, 2014 240z strut towers have support braces with two flanged cut outs (not sure of the correct term) per side, the 280Z support braces are solid. Also, the 280Z strut towers have mounts for a retracting 3pt seat belt on top. 240Z strut towers are open. If you still aren't sure, post a pic, and I'll tell you which they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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