Carl Beck

Hi Guys: Mike G. ask me to check in on this discussion. For those who do not know me. I bought my first Datsun 240-Z in March of 1970 and I've owned and driven them ever since. I've been researching the history of the Datsun 240-Z, in a fairly serious fashion for about 15 years now. I've compiled a listing of hundreds of VIN/Build Date/Original Engine Serial Numbers for both the Right Hand and Left Hand Drive models. I presently own HLS30 00020 and HLS30 00042 (among others). A close friend owns HLS30 00016 - the lowest left hand drive chassis number sold to the public. He also owns HLS30 00019 and HLS30 00052 (among many others). So I do have some knowledge related to the very early cars. Mike from Australia is correct in his statement about the "compliance tags" on Right Hand Drive models imported into Australia. In 1970 cars were accompanied by paperwork only which said in effect that they complied with all laws in force upon arrival at the Port of Entry. Compliance tags were affixed to the cars at the Port of Entry starting late in 1971 as far as we can tell. The lowest VIN imported into Australia was HS30 0004 and it was built in January or Feb. of 1970. I have communicated with the owner of this car and his research agrees with mine. Contrary to popular Myth in Australia - there are no 1969 production year Right Hand Drive models - they didn't start production until 1970. All 240-Z's imported into the US had to have their VIN affixed to the car - one tag visible through the windshield, the chassis had to have it's number stamped into the metal. The Date of Manufacture had to be affixed to the car. (required by our Federal Highway Admin for both Safety and Emissions requirements). One thing common to both Right Hand Drive (HS30) and Left Hand Drive (HLS30) models was the data tag in the engine compartment. It contained both the VIN and the Original Engine Serial Number. Nissan only had one production line for the L24 engines and they have only one series of serial numbers, so we can cross reference engine serial numbers to build dates - and arrive at a build date for the Right Hand Drive models as well - even though they didn't receive the data plates that provide that information. All that said - the VIN tags were always riveted in place on the dash. The very early cars into the US did not have the emissions evap. controls - so no vapor lines returning to the rear of the car. Many early cars into Canada did not have air pumps nor the air injection into the exhaust manifold. On the car in question - the hood stops on the firewall are incorrect for a very early car and the plastic fresh air deflectors from the radiator core support to the inner fender are not the original type found on early cars. The Throttle Damper - was standard on all US cars. But all / any of this could have been changed over the years. HLS30 000212 has been on my listing since Oct. of 1995 - it was owned by Greg Scott of Santa Claira, Calif. and had a build date of 11/69. One should request the original engine serial number for this car - it should be something close to L24- 02xxx. Carl S. is correct - inspect everything personally and very closely before you buy. Feel free to me mail me at: cbeck@becksystems.com regards, Carl B.