Dash Authenticity...

[Hammer]

Hi guys

 

I'm looking at a '71 240z.  However, I'm at odds, why the cigarette lighter is located on the dashboard, rather than below the radio (next to the fuse box) like so many others I've seen?

 

 

And as you can see in the photo, the cover has the cigarette lighter hole in the centre console trim, yet the cigarette lighter is located in the dash.

 

Questions I have are:

 

1. Did later '71 model 240z come with the cigarette lighter located in the dash as shown (which means the centre console trim with the cigarette lighter hole is not the correct trim)?

 

or

 

2. All 240z came with the cigarette lighter located below the radio and the location on this one was a modification?

 

If this is indeed a modificatoin, is it difficult to move the ciggie lighter from the dash and mount it back to its original location?  How do you cover the hole left in the dash to match the rest?

 

The attraction for me in highly considering buying this Z is its supposed originality without any modifications.

 

Your advise will be appreciated.

[chris240]

the hole in the dash (next to the tacho) is the correct spot..at least for late 72 & 73 models.

Im sure theres an old posting on dashboard "correctness" somewhere here...

[Zedman240®]

I'm pretty sure all 240's had their lighter sockets in the console and all 260's moved to the dashboard. I'll do some research on that one..

[PeterAllen]

Don't know if this will help or add to confusion.

 

I have 3/72 240Z and it has the lighter in the dash and nothing in the console. The instruments are imperial (MPH etc). I got the car in bits so there is no certainty it's the original dash but I'm fairly confident it is.

 

Also, on the dash below the lighter there is a similar shaped indentation which has a tumble lock - like a small ignition switch. Anyone know what that's about?

 

Have a look at the car on the '240Z Dump or restore' thread - may help.

[aegean]

If it helps (or confuses), my '74 260 has the lighter in the dash

[gav240z]

Early 240z's before 71 had a different centre console, this console had the handle throttle and choke in it. The cigarette lighter was also located here.

 

Later 240z mid 71 onward would have had the dash style cigarette lighter. My 72 does.

 

Its more than likely that the dashboard in the car in question was changed over, probably when it was reskinned (from the look of the dash the grain is slightly different than original).

 

Some cars had a few odd ball changes, particularly 71 model cars. Like I've seen a 71 without the rear hatch vents and with the choke and hand throttle.

 

Of course because these cars have been in so many hands, and had various replacement parts over the years it would be not surprise to find odd things like this.

[gav240z]

 

My dash in the 72.

[dalee]

Gav is correct

 

The cigarette lighter mounted in the centre console is from a series 1 or 2 car from 1971.  Usually these cars have the hand throttle as well, but Nissan and their parts bins ....

 

All three of my 71 cars have the cigarette lighter mounted in the centre console, the 72 has the updated version in the dash. 

 

I don't believe there are any other differences in the dash between the 240z models.  You could try taking the ligher out of the dash and getting it reskinned, you would never know the hole was there.

 

Dale

[Hammer]

Thanks for the help so far.

 

This '71 Z has both the choke and hand throttle on the centre console behind the gear stick and the ashtray in front of it.

 

It's beginning to look like this '71 Z has an updated '72 or '73 dashboard skin.  Otherwise why is the trim piece below the radio will still have the hole for the ciggie lighter?  Unless this trim is incorrect.

 

Others have suggested that this could have been an automatic which was converted to manual, hence the relocation of the ciggie lighter into the dash (i've posted a separate query about this).

 

I hope this is not the case, as this will be a deal breaker.

 

[chris240]

yeah my 7/73 has the lighter in the dash...never been touched..

hey Hammer can you post a pic of your avatar...that drawing looks great !! I'd love to download a copy if ok with you 

[Hammer]

...hey Hammer can you post a pic of your avatar...that drawing looks great !! I'd love to download a copy if ok with you 

 

I'm trying to find where I downloaded it from.  The one that I have now is very small as I had to reduce it to fit the avatar specs.  Not sure if you would like it that small.  I'll post the bigger version as soon as I find it.

[Mr Camouflage]

Questions I have are:

 

1. Did later '71 model 240z come with the cigarette lighter located in the dash as shown?

 

Yes they did.

 

It's possible that the center console was swapped in from a 1970 to mid 1971 240z, and the dashboard is the correct one from your car.  The later center consoles have a habit of cracking near where the ashtray is, so maybe it got swapped for an earlier one in better condition.

 

2. All 240z came with the cigarette lighter located below the radio?

 

Nope. Only 1970 to early 1971 had lighters in the console.

 

Post a photo of the fusebox area (remove the cover from the center console) and that should give an idea whether its the dash or the console that has been swapped.