The SERIES 1 240z thread

[240znz]

Hi all,

 

Nissan released the 240z in LHD (HLS30) and RHD (HS30)

 

HLS30

 

I am not sure of the exact numbers but from memory they made some 6500 series 1 models in HLS30. These have little quirks that make them unique when compared to series 2 HLS30's. Some of the differences are.

 

1. Body shell lighter by 200lbs

2. Vented hatch

3. Solid B pillars

4. 240z badge on B pillar

5. Nissan 2400-OHC rocker cover

6. Back to front brake master

7. Cigarette lighter next to the ash tray

8. A hand throttle

9. Swiss cheese rear deck

10. Tool boxes behind each seat

11. Seats only recline 10 degrees or so

12. Chrome coat hooks

13. Split driveshaft

14. Solid steering wheel spokes

15. Flawed diff location

16. Speedo that starts at 20mph

17. "D" hubcaps not the "Z" ones

18. Weak B pillars that cracked

19. Mystery space beside the speedo for a switch or cigarette lighter

20. Vertical rear demister (if fitted, dealer option)

21. Rear speaker mounted behind the electric aerial.

22 Many more than I can't remember (anoraks please chirp in now)

 

There seems evident that Nissan made a clean move away from the Series 1 body to the Series 2 body in the HLS30 model ONLY. It is believed that one of the main drivers to move away from the series 1 was made by the Yankie authorities who didn't like the very thin sheet metal used. Pretty much a horrid car in a crash.

 

Nissan were more "muddled" than "clean" when changing the HS30 models

 

HS30

 

Same as the above list. However....and this is where it gets a little muddled as records are not so clear. What is clear is that Nissan made the transition somewhat slowly as if they were using up parts. These could be described as "inbetween models"

 

From what I have read on the net, there appears that chassis numbers below HS30-00497 share the same list as above. After this, things become inconsistant.

 

Point in case is a 240z in NZ which is HS30-00858. It has a vented B pillar with the "Z" badge but has a hand throttle. Hmmmm, things are not so clear cut are they. HS30-00879 is the same (thanks to a UK Z correspondant)....hmmmmmm, what gives there then.

 

I have HS30-00352 and matches the S1 HLS30 model in terms of quirks.

 

It is dangerous ( and misleading ) to adopt that "series 1", "series 2" etc thinking in respect to HS30 models. It really is just an American idea that they created to help themselves understand the detail differences, and there have never been any official Japanese Nissan documents that quote "series 1" etc.....

 

Changes were made to the specs of the cars in a piecemeal fashion. Some details at the same time as others, and some on their own. You can track these on the factory parts lists, but the Japanese "Service Shuhou" ( Technical Service ) documents detail them more accurately. I think it is easy to see that some detail changes were phased in before others.

 

The reason why many early HS30 owners use the Series 1 mantle is that it is a hell of a lot easier to explain it that way. Well, I find it easier to anyway. Maybe I should call it the "ever correcting" model.

 

So this means that the "inbetween" cars could be considered even more rare than the early ones. But wait, there is more.........

 

To make things even more confusing, Nissan released the HS30 with slightly different B pillar badges (a solid chrome 240z not the white painted version that was quite different), some didn't have the sun and moon type rear vision mirrors but a red dot instead.

 

Thanks to Alan Thomas in the UK for his input in this and please note that I have cut and pasted extracts from his emails above. The only way to be 100% correct is to collate data from each of the current owners of cars with VIN's less than 1500.

 

If you have a HS30 with a VIN less than 1500, could you please list down the differences that your car has against those listed above. That way we may be able to see which changes were made and when.

 

Sound like the go?

[/b]

[nat0_240_chevZ]

Hi, between me and a couple of friends and some other zed fans i know here in SA.

 

we have hs30#'s

-236 really modified but a genuine build, hatch vents, early wiring harnes plugs

 

-224 (an old lady up in the riverland very original except for the sunfoof, but rusty, havent looked too closely to tell you differences)

 

-636 has std fender mirrors (proved as no holes in doors and are the factory telescopic type, weird huh, but has z pillar badges vented.)

 

-212 was just on ebay, a matching number car heres the link.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&item=130023283911&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

 

-my car im sure is below #1500 but for the life of me cant remember what 12** something, ill edit my post later once i have a look.

 

ill look into the finer details to help with the time line.

 

nato

[240znz]

Cheers for the info.

 

There is a fresh debate/discussion raging over at CZCC on this very subject. Some of those septic tanks just don't want to listen sometimes to the point it is comical.

[dalee]

Just found that ealy door locks are different to.  Only three tounges vs the four in the later style locks, just requires grinding to fit.

[RBZ 260]

well i got a bit of stew goign with mine.

 

#227 that i have has all the quirks as mentioned above. though few pcs are missing or incorrect presumably changed at some stage original engine still in there. havent looked at the diff and shaft to tell you the truth not sure if its even in there.

 

rear vented hatch fender mirrors holes with plastic caps. dash is as described with mystery hole.

 

the 72 i got also has a bit of an array of series 1 parts on it. ie: fiberglass headlight scoops, vented rear hatch with vertical demister and a still unknown center console with Z emblem towards the back.

 

was going to use the 72 to resurect the 70 #227 as will have almost correct early number car. but being what I em it wont be built as a original car. still some time to decide before work starts on these two cars.

[nat0_240_chevZ]

dont try with the rusty musty brzi!!!