There is very little visual difference between early 260Z and a 240Z. The late 260Z is more like the 280Z with the big bumpers and the turn signals in the grill area, other than they they are the same as a 240Z on the outside. they all use the same fenders, door skins, quarter panels ect.


I'm no expert I'm just telling you things I've notcied from lots of reading here and at other z sites and looking at countless pictures and parts catalogs....




Justin T
'77 280Z
'80 280ZX

 

The rear light cluster on a 260z is the different cluster that the 280z has, and the 260z also weighs more.

 

The early 260Z was basically leftover 73 240 bodies with the 260/280 interior and their own special bumpers.
The later 260Z introduced the early 280Z body and further refinements to the 280 interior. The 280 bumpers changed a little bit more in 1975 and beyond.

Unfortunately the 260 was strapped with the 73 flattop carbs...

The 260 introduced the HEI ign to the Z car, and also introduced the 2+2 "family Z".

The 260 was continually sold in Europe while we got the 280. The Euro's finally got the ZX in 79 or 80.

For whatever reason, the 260 is looked down upon. Can't understand why, more powerful engine and nicer interior than the 240, and now that most of them (those that survive) are emissions-exempt, can be stripped down into lightweight road rockets.

These days, it's become a case of you get whatever decent 1st gen Z you can find, regardless of model, and then take it from there.

 

get a victoria brittish ltd. catalog. in there you will find a VIN listing, that will solve all your problems with identafieing the car.. pallnet

 

Have you driven both a 240 and a 260? In stock format, the 260 does not have the power that a 240 does. It does have a higher horsepower rating, however (I've owed both) the 260 does not prodcuce as much power at low RPMs. Until the 260 reaches 3500-4000 RPMs it does not pull like the 240. That's pretty much why I prefer the 240s.

Thet both look nice though.