z bodies

[speedstar]

someone please correct me if im wrong but the 1974 260z is the same body as a 1971 240z correct, the only differences being the taillights and dashboard correct?

[jmortensen]

The 260 really is the bastard child. 1/2 of them had 240 bodies, 1/2 had 280 bodies. There are easy to recognize differences like the bumpers, but I don't know if that tells you which body you have in all casee. If you can search you might be able to find the different OD of the strut tubes (240 vs 280), then match that up and figure out which one you have. That would be a sure fire way to tell I think because the rear struts on the 280 body are longer so they can't be used with the 240 shell without modification.

[Arne]

To make matters worse, there were two different bodies for the '71 240Z as well. Early '71s were the same as the '70s, later 71s were the same as '72-73. The differences aren't major, but they are different just the same.

[speedstar]

if my 260z is a 1974 is it more likley it has the 240z body?

[bpilati]

To make matters worse, there were two different bodies for the '71 240Z as well. Early '71s were the same as the '70s, later 71s were the same as '72-73. The differences aren't major, but they are different just the same.

Isn't that a bit simplistic? I have a late 240Z but no pockets for retractable seatbelts.

[speedstar]

so how can i tell by looking at my 74 260 if it is a 240 body or a 280 body.

[Zrush]

The build date should tell you. Anybody got a Haynes or Chiltons handy, I'm at work. Also the big MSA catalog states it also. From September/74 on they are 280ish............I think.

Vicky

[SuperDave]

so how can i tell by looking at my 74 260 if it is a 240 body or a 280 body.

If the yellow turn signal lamps are on the corners below the bumper, same as a 240Z, then you have an early 74. If the turn signal lamps are up in the radiator opening like a 280Z's, you have a late 74.

[speedstar]

i dont know if this is a way to tell but in all the pics i see of early 74 260's the rear shock towers are shorter than the ones on the later 74 1/2 and later 260's you can kinda tell in these pics the blue on is a 74 260 and the white one is a 74 also but the shock towers are differnt heights. im guessing the shorter one ( blue one ) is a 240z body and the taller ( white one) is a 280 body. im hoping my theory is correct and i have the 240z body as mine also has smaller bumpers without all the big rubber crap. please help me out you guys have more experiance with these than i do

[jmortensen]

i dont know if this is a way to tell but in all the pics i see of early 74 260's the rear shock towers are shorter than the ones on the later 74 1/2 and later 260's you can kinda tell in these pics the blue on is a 74 260 and the white one is a 74 also but the shock towers are differnt heights. im guessing the shorter one ( blue one ) is a 240z body and the taller ( white one) is a 280 body. im hoping my theory is correct and i have the 240z body as mine also has smaller bumpers without all the big rubber crap. please help me out you guys have more experiance with these than i do

That difference in the shock towers is another way to say what I was saying previously. I had never seen pics of the towers side by side like that. That seems like an easier way to tell than measuring the strut OD.

[speedstar]

so am i correct in assuming that since my shock towers are shorter that my 260 is a 240z body?

[jmortensen]

I would say that this is definitely a 240 body based on the towers.

[Arne]

If the yellow turn signal lamps are on the corners below the bumper, same as a 240Z, then you have an early 74. If the turn signal lamps are up in the radiator opening like a 280Z's, you have a late 74.

This is the simplest way. If the front turn signals are below the bumper, it is the 240Z body. If the turn signals are in the grill, it is the 280Z body.

[texasz]

And I'm curious why this matters? Do you just want to know or are you trying to locate a specific part for you car, or what?

I do know that the MANY differences of the early (first gen) Z cars have been discussed over and over again on this and many other sites. It's a very long list of differences...even just between different years of the same model such as the series I and series II 240Z as mentioned above. Whew! My head is starting to spin thinking of all the possible differences again...

[speedstar]

just wanted to know what i had, plus some aftermaket body parts i.e spoilers , sideskirts, front airdams, so on and so forth require you to purchase a specific one either early or latemodel bodystyles. on some of these there seems to be a definate difference between early and late 74's and i want to get the right parts. plus i think weight is differnt between the 2 body types also, and even the demensions are differnt.

[Arne]

So which do you have?

[speedstar]

its an early 74 260, the rear strut towers are shorter as you can see in the pic, and the bumpers are smaller with less rubber crap, and the corner blinker lights are under the front bumper on the corner.

[nixcars]

The best way to tell is by the rails under the floors, the later 260's had deeper & longer rails.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Nick.

[=Enigma=]

I have a 73' 240Z and my rear towers look more like the taller ones in the white car. Of course my turn signals are below the bumper and I have short frame rails. Sound like some conflicting info or I read it wrong. See my sig for a link to pics.

[speedstar]

no your shock towers are also the short ones, theones on the 280z body are noticably taller.

[1 Bravo 6]

Hey there Donavan,

We solved this problem a long time ago when I asked the same question.

My "Precious" is a 8/74 260Z. The front indicators are below the bumper.

She has the shorter rails. She's the last of the 240 bodies mate.

You're welcome to check out my gallery. (Bear in mind that we drive on the RIGHT side mate, the negatives were not reversed).

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

[sblake01]

I guess in Australia you didn't have the early 74/late 74 issue that we have here.