Collected my car today

[johnymd]

Ok. Thanks. I think I get it. Did the change line up with the lock improvement amount other things.

I guess for those of us in the UK the confusion started with cars being badged 240z, 260z and 280zx along with the log book saying the same. It’s hard for me not to think of the 240z’s, which I’ve had for the last 35 years, as 240z’s. Bad habits are hard to change but I’m trying.

 

[Alphabettispaghetti]

Ok. Thanks. I think I get it. Did the change line up with the lock improvement amount other things.

I guess for those of us in the UK the confusion started with cars being badged 240z, 260z and 280zx along with the log book saying the same. It’s hard for me not to think of the 240z’s, which I’ve had for the last 35 years, as 240z’s. Bad habits are hard to change but I’m trying.

Its annoying when people have US market cars and call them fairlady's.

 

[Albrecht]

Did the change line up with the lock improvement amount other things.

Details changed on a rolling basis with these cars. Some changes coincided with 'new' models hitting the market, others didn't. Nissan published regular 'Service Shuho' booklets (essentially Technical Service Bulletins) to explain the new features to dealerships and service centres. These, combined with the Nissan factory parts lists, give the best explanation of the rolling changes and the Japanese models they applied to.

It’s hard for me not to think of the 240z’s, which I’ve had for the last 35 years, as 240z’s. Bad habits are hard to change but I’m trying.

Nothing wrong with calling a '240Z' a '240Z' if that's what it is. The problems start to come when people refer to the '240Z' as it was just one thing. It wasn't. If we want to understand each individual car properly then we have to look at the whole series, and especially the other sub-variants in the series that were produced at the same time.

For example, if you lived in the UK and had never seen or heard of any other market models, you might find it hard to understand why the unibody had four windscreen wiper mount holes. Of course, once you understood that this particular body pressing catered for both LHD and RHD versions then it would explain itself. But what about those mysterious holes in the radiator support panel and lower radiator support crossmember? They don't make sense until you see a 432, and preferably a 432 equipped with the factory oil cooler kit. Suddenly all those holes and captive nuts make sense. Like tits on a bull they're there, but you need to see a cow to understand their real function.

Pretty much all of us know that LHD and RHD models were made, but I find that fewer people seem to take on board the fact that some things on these cars are there because the Japanese domestic market models required them.

 

[Mr Tenno]

I don't agree. This is the very root of the kind of confusion we see here. It's just wrong-headed.

"Spaghetti. It's the Italian version of Potatoes..."

I said: 'Imagine' 'a bit like'

Are the GHLS30 and the GS31 so different that they can't be likened to one another?

 

[Albrecht]

Are the GHLS30 and the GS31 so different that they can't be likened to one another?

I just don't think imagining a "JDM 280Z" is starting off on the right foot. The term '280Z' means more than one thing anyway. You've now refined it to GHLS30 vs GS31 so that narrows it down a lot more, but I still think it's not the way to get to where you need to be. A kind of "...If you're going there, don't start from here...".

The later cars (especially after mid-'76) started to become enormously complicated in comparison with the earlier cars, and the Japanese market models had all sorts of extras not seen on Export market cars. I'm thinking of stuff like remote-adjustable mirrors and electric windows, with the extra complication of the wiring loom sections. Quite different to the Export cars.

So whilst I advocate looking at all models in the series in order to better understand the individual variants, it's also necessary to arm yourself with all the factory data you can get (Service bulletins, factory parts lists, factory service manuals, even sales literature) to help with ownership of a car like hedgehogdodger's '74 GS30-D Fairlady Z-L 2/2.

First part of the battle is understanding exactly what the car is and what data applies to it. It is applied Carchaeology.

 

[SeanDezart]

Hedgehogdodger's car - the subject of this thread - is a GS30-D 'Fairlady Z-L 2/2'.

The switch to 'S31' prefixes (for the 2-seater 'S31' and 4-seater 'GS31' models) took place in July 1976. It was an administrative cut-off, essentially to mark the 'new' - updated - model type which conformed to new Japanese safety and emissions laws. Key point was the introduction of the 'NAPS' (Nissan Anti Pollution System) equipment on the engines, which was much more stringent than those before it and which paid particular attention to reducing NOx emissions to a level well below what the new Japanese laws allowed.
The - largely American - thought process of '240Z first, replaced by 260Z, then 280Z' doesn't help matters.

The NAPS was introduced in 1975 ? What does the 'D' stand for please ?

Perhaps largely American but also occidental Nissan themselves 'keeping it simple' for the journalists and let's face it, it does rather reflect what the vast majority of markets saw and always understood except (and here it becomes complicated per market*) that in 1975, the rest of the export world markets saw the 260Z continue, in the UK, the 2x seater had a 'rest' in 1976 whereas in France the 2x seater was never imported and Portugal was treated to models with extras - did this carry on from the 240Z ? - and the Southern Hemisphere countries had other differences.

*so it's not just JDM/North America/Europe....so yes, agreed - it's like a family tree with cousins, nephews etc and members arriving and leaving....the Z is like an original broom with several replacement heads and handles.....!

 

[Mr Tenno]

What does the 'D' stand for please ?

'GS30-S' = 'Nissan Fairlady Z 2/2' ('Standard', no frills model)
'GS30-D' = 'Nissan Fairlady Z-L 2/2' ('Deluxe' model)
'GS30-DA' = Nissan Fairlady Z-L 2/2' ('Deluxe' model with Automatic transmission)

 

[Farmer42]

It's a 2/2, not a 2+2...

Damn! Looks like I need to change my signature block to 2/2 if it makes that much difference!

Anyway, nice to see another in the country. If it is going to be at Donington they can talk to each other in Japanese. Still haven't managed to translate the fuse box cover to find out which fuse covers what circuit. I have tried to work it out by removing each one and watching which things don't work.

 

[toopy]

Damn! Looks like I need to change my signature block to 2/2 if it makes that much difference!

I'm not parking my superior export market 2 plus 2 next to your low grade foreign import 2 by 2!! .......... No wait, built in the same factory... Doh!

 

[SeanDezart]

Pretty much all of us know that LHD and RHD models were made, but I find that fewer people seem to take on board the fact that some things on these cars are there because the Japanese domestic market models required them.

So, name please, some differences in bodies between RHD export market cars and JDMs that were there because they were exported...ie not defined by JDM requirements.

 

[Robbie J]

So, name please, some differences in bodies between RHD export market cars and JDMs that were there because they were exported...ie not defined by JDM requirements.

Mirrors, 2Lt engine, he didn't say bodies

 

[Albrecht]

So...

You are Greta Thunberg and I Claim My Five Pounds.

...name please, some differences in bodies between RHD export market cars and JDMs that were there because they were exported...ie not defined by JDM requirements.

No. How about you suggest some?

Your "exported" has to include both RHD and LHD variants, doesn't it? If you're not careful you'll be wading into some pretty dark and deep waters where the dragons of RHD Export & RHD Domestic vs LHD Export live, all while trying not to be eaten by Design Concession. Hope you've got your inflatable banana to hang on to.

 

[Albrecht]

Damn! Looks like I need to change my signature block to 2/2 if it makes that much difference!

I'm not entirely sure I understand the resistance, to be honest.

Are there any other marque/model dedicated owners groups where people apparently go out of their way to call their cars something other than what they actually are?

 

[Albrecht]

The NAPS was introduced in 1975 ?

Yes, but the mid-1976 update added extra equipment & 'software' to allow the cars to comply with the tightened up 'Showa 51' emissions legislation. The 'S31' prefix change allowed Nissan to meet the bureaucratic necessity of classing the cars as 'new models' made to meet tighter standards.

The '75 NAPS equipped cars were a bit like my old Audi: It had 'DPF prep' specification, but no actual DPF.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Alan, we've said this many times - please write a book so that we can all learn from your vast knowledge before it's too late. I'm sure there is a worldwide audience for good quality, accurate reference material.

My Dad used to tell me all about a RAF motor-cycle club in Egypt - he had fond memories and photos. His famous motor sport friend suggested he wrote a 'booklet' all about it and I sorted and scanned the pictures. It has sold far and wide and brought a great deal of enjoyment to relatives of those who had heard about this Club from their Dad's, Uncles etc.

My Dad has died now (at 96) but the booklet is out-there and the story lives on.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I saw a blue Fairlady 2/2 at an auction lately complete with it's 2.0 engine. Very nice car. It didn't reach the reserve. I had to educate the 'auction house' with my limited knowledge - most of the description was fiction.

 

[Mr Tenno]

Locking this one as it started to get out of hand. (Posts now removed)