Having owned my Z for over decade now, I've noticed a number of things which has made me think that the Z32 has now 'become of age'. This isn't a thread about market values (we all know they're slowly rising), but more about what has become of the cars and what many owners are now doing to them.

 

Of course, performance upgrades have always been something that people have been keen to do (I include myself in that statement), but visuals etc (despite being highly subjective) have completely moved away from the great big ugly bodykits as displayed in the 90's to mid 2000s.

 

Long gone are rag rolled paint jobs, acres of fibreglass, lurid colours, graphics, neons and other such nastiness.

 

Over the past year or two, I've noticed more and more people going down the restoration route to bring their cars back to their former glories and more! There are less people looking to buy junk on a budget and fit cheap rubbish to it. The Z32 has come of age! I notice cars like JoelyP's, AndrewG's, Dougal2000's, Jaikai's and RichieK's becoming cars that people are spending a lot of time either making their already tidy car even better or restoring back to former glories and further!

 

It really is nice to see, not just because of my own admiration for the way the car looks as intended, but for preservation as they are becoming increasingly rarer.

 

In summary and closing, the Z32 really has become a true enthusiast car that is starting to get noticed more and more. We as owners are doing a good job of that I think and the club's presence at various events across the UK is reinforcing that.

This is also something I noticed at Beaulieu, a lot more attention is now focused on mint condition originals with choice modifications rather than multi-coloured bodykitted wonders from days of old.

 

Owners and enthusiasts have moved away (thankfully) from aspiring to have a Z like this:

 

 

....to owning a Z like this:

 

 

Sure, tastes change, but it seems that more people are wanting to restore or see quality original vehicles. I've thoroughly enjoyed seeing these projects and have become more proud for seeing the Z32 as the car that it really is and as a result, people are increasingly taking notice of the Z32.

Edited August 6, 201510 yr by Funkysi

Nicely put Si :thumbup1:

 

One day I hope to restore mine to it's former glory.

I think a lot of it comes down to rarity. The Z32 is unique enough in its own right now, without needing to be customised. For instance, I wouldn't think of putting a Veilside bodykit on a 300ZX, but there's an RX8 for sale over here with one and I quite like the look of it.

You can add your car to the top list too Si !

Well put:thumbup:

This isn't confined to the Z32 only.

 

I think car ownership in general is moving away from the big ass VS kits and such and moving instead towards sleepers or tastefully subtle kits.

 

Obviously the elephant in the room is the "stance" scene. But I choose to ignore that completely in the hope it's all just a bad dream.

Nicely put sir.

I have noticed this too, I think it's true of quite a few cars of this generation. I have been on the forum for quite a few years now and I have certainly noticed a movement away from the loud kits etc back to an appreciation of the looks that made people buy it in the first place. At the time of buying my 300 things were tight for me financially and I was lucky enough to pick up both of my 300s for very little money (the first turned out to be a rusty, bent pos that was cut into many pieces quite some time ago) The second zed I bought as an intended reshell turned out to be considerably more work than I intended as well. Getting back on point, when I started the restoration around 5 years ago there were no restoration blogs/dairies at all (I'm not claiming to be the first but I must be one of them) and now even within our club there are some outstanding rebuilds. I'm sure there will be many more and it's this new found spirt that si is talking about, I think some exciting times will be ahead.

 

Personally for me, keeping a car and trying to finish a restoration is a little hard as we are on the other side of the world from each other. However I'm sure in years to come the jap car screen will be every bit as vibrant for people of my generation as the British car screen is for my fathers (I love old Brit cars too) and it will be great in times to come to have one of the most desirable jap models as my show car.

 

If anyone is really interested in this type of stuff I have added a link below to an amazing build. Before the 300 I had a 200sx and I was quite active on the sxoc (hence my user name) this restoration is simply superb and the lengths this guy went to were staggering. For me the build is a little too original but you cannot fault the guy.

 

Anyway keep up the good work guys, I think a good shout out should also go to all the guys who have kept their cars in great original condition over the years gaz300 Richard smith etc and obviously that guy with the white tt with the bbs lms :biggrin:

 

 

http://www.sxoc.com/petrols-comprehensive-s14a-restoration/

Edited August 6, 201510 yr by dougal200

We as owners and enthusiast's of the Z32 300zx know how great these cas are and how they have gone through the various stages of ownership to todays saught after model's. No longer is there masses of cheap 300zx's in the classified's but a few good original Z's being sold and bought at ever increasing prices.

 

This club with its enthusiastic members has pushed the 300zx into the public's view of a car they would want to own and thats what it is all about. Shows like the NEC Classic Motor Show Beaulieu and many more get the 300zx noticed by people in the motoring press and other motoring petrol heads so the word gets around that maybe this is a car to watch.

 

Look after your Z's and they will make you smile for years to come. Long term members here know what they have and even the new members are seeing what the old hands are doing and are following their ideas. Keep up the good work is all I can say to our great membership.

I wanted one of these cars for years and, when it came time to scratch that itch, there were a few factors I had to consider:

 

Cost, first and foremost. I knew I wouldn't be able to afford a pristine example, but hoped I'd be able to source a good, solid car for the budget I had at the time. As my budget increased last year and I decided that I needed to find myself a SWB, there were very few for sale (which ties into my next two factors).

 

Exclusivity. Even now, I very rarely see another one on the roads with me! People will do double-takes when mine's out and about and I've had plenty of people either ask me what it is or tell me that it's great to see such a nice example nowadays. Added into that, I guess, is the fact that SWBs will be an even rarer sight in the UK.

 

Availability. There were loads on eBay when I bought my first one over 2 years ago and all in varying states and stages of modification. I opted for the most standard-looking I could find within my budget. Prior to that, I was considering buying one from Baz - a white LWB - but even on getting the first batch of pictures, I was saying to Fran that I'd have to change the front bumper back to a stock one and lose the big spoiler!

 

As has already been said, there are far fewer advertised for sale now than 2 years ago and the majority of those are relatively stock-looking. In a sense, it's a good time to be in the market for one as most of the lemons appear to have disappeared, leaving only good cars for the main part. Prices are higher, but that's presumably because people know they have a good solid car to sell and price accordingly.

 

I have no plans to part with mine - for a start, I've spent too much time and money on her! Plus every single time I look at her or take her out, I smile :) That's the mark of a "good car" for me: whether it makes you smile, no matter how long you've owned it for.

 

We've been to a couple of local shows and she's had a massive amount of attention there. It probably helps that I'm the only Z32 there! :lol: But even at a proper "classic car" show a few months back (and sadly pre-respray or interior), people were crowding and saying how surprised they were to see one there and how nice it looked, even amongst a sea of bona-fide classics!

 

:thumbup1:

Totally agree with all the above. Since purchasing my Z32 back in March I've had nothing but problems... I've hardly had the opportunity to enjoy driving it. But, I absolutely agree with what Mondo says about how a good car should make you smile.... Even after all the issues (which I'm hoping could be sorted by next weekend) I love it. Whenever I have taken it out, the level of attention you get is crazy... Its how a proper car should look like and feel like. New cars don't really interest me, they just don't stand out enough. The first time I saw a Z32 I must have been about 10 years old, I loved it then and never believed that one day I would own my own.

 

My aim is to now slowly start bringing mine back to its former glory, it does appear to be a solid example with no rust, my issues were all as a result of poor maintenance mechanically by the previous owner. After a new engine and pretty much all new electrics I just can't wait to get it back on the road now so I can hopefully enjoy whats left of the summer!

 

Hopefully mine too can one day be one of the greats of the club:)

It's not just the zed, it is however noticeable here because A your an enthusiast and B this car was one of the worst offenders. Lots of things have changed though. Notice the lack of the abundant Saxo/corsa/nova with a fibreglass fighter jet attached, every third 17/18 year old had one ten years ago. The kids just don't do it anymore, when you do see some crazy flip paint, ripspeed victim with a dogs dick hanging out the back the owner is usually old enough to know better. Those shot boxes despite looking cheap, as we all know weren't. How will you afford to do that in a credit crunch 0 hours job at mcDs, you won't.

The hunger from them fed by films and media has changed too, no more max power and even F&F has got subtler. The VW clean a simple euro look has conquered. Not to mention how much nicer are the equilvent euro boxes kids drive these days?

 

In short those TVs with the lump on the back were cool once, they still work now but most kids would ask what that lumps for and why the TVs not flat grandad.

Cool thread [emoji106] Great to see a shared passion for the Z amongst other club members.

I mentioned in the Simply Japanese thread about how refreshing it was to see this "type" of car being chosen by the majority of voters as the style they like. I'm hoping I don't look too much like a pretentious muppet here, but these are the top 3 "People's Choice" cars from the Beaulieu show. I think it reinforces Simon's point and also Stephen's statement that its not necessarily just the "Z scene" with this evolving outlook:

 

Nicely put indeed Si - along with subsequent comments from Steve, Joel and Dougal etc.....

 

.....Times have changed, not just with the 300zx, but with most cars; the old, lairy, "Lax Power" nonsense from 10-15 years ago has had its day and subtlety has prevailed.

 

It stands to reason that good, clean, unmolested examples with only slight upgrades are becoming collectable. I mean, you don't buy an E-type or a DB5 and nail a body kit to it!!! Car makers spend millions on R&D; so what makes Joe Public think he can do better with a bit of fibreglass? Of course, some cars are dog turds from the factory and always will be - but other cars were made just right from the off. A classis car is a classic for a reason!

 

Richard:thumbup:

I for one can't wait to get the Z back on the road, I've spent the last 10 years buying bits and pieces to make my car a worthy part of this club, In all those years I've probably actually driven the car for a total of 8 months!

I've followed other peoples project threads for a lot of that time getting ideas on how to make my car as pristine as possible and now I'm finally at the stage where it all comes together. Simon (Funkysi), Joel (JoelyP), Dougal, Andrew, Lee (Jaikai), Mac1, Dave (CarMad), Brian, Steams, Jaffa, Stephen, Slick Pete, Groover, Mondo, Baz, Kirbs, Jay, Ian, Richard, Smithy, Danny, Gary etc.... the list goes on of people that have had and still have a true appreciation for this Legend of a car. I was away for a few years and still there are a lot of old and new faces on here that welcome everybody with helpful and insightful opinions. You are all a credit to this club and to the Z32 300zx. You are the people that has made this car into the Legend status it deserves. My compliments to all you members that have spent countless hours and pounds to try out different ideas, modifications and tuning to create automotive masterpieces!:bow: I hope to be around this forum for at least another 10 years as my 11 yr old son now wants this car to be passed onto him. This is my dream.. to be able to have a common interest with Cameron that we can work on together.

Edited August 6, 201510 yr by Richie K

Almost every time I take my Zed out now someone always comments on how great they still look and on how well looked after my car is.

 

Many people are amazed it's 22 years old, puts cars that are 5 years old to shame.

 

I have always loved the styling of the Z, for a car designed and released in the late 80's, it really was way ahead of it's time.

 

Most of the cars I like from back then look so boxy, square and out-dated, the Z still looks class.

So, I have always tried to own a car that is Japanese, rare, not a common blob and unusual. The Zed is comparable to the S15 Spec R I used to have - where people actually approach you and want to know "what it is" or to admire it. Recently outside a pub, there was my brother in law with his brand new SLK AMG and me in the Zed - and it was the Zed a group of older men wanted to look at and ask me about. This really annoyed my brother-in-law, but it shows that the Zed has "come of age" in my view!

Long gone are rag rolled paint jobs, acres of fibreglass, lurid colours, graphics, neons and other such nastiness.

 

Don't worry, im making a come back this year .

 

I miss the old scene, from the 90's 00's, where people had differing tastes apart from Scooby owners. It was good to see peoples imagination and different tastes like karls rag rolled above, one of the reasons I got a 300!.

Now, its just lower it and put some nice wheels on, car shows nowadays are just like walking round a normal carpark, you could almost put one car on a show stand and just tell people to imagine it in different colours.

 

I think its changed because of insurance, people cant afford to add bits that stand out as they would have to declare it on their insurance.

Lad was buyig my 1.4 lupo for £300, insurance £4000 for a year???? You cant afford to do anything these days especially with the price of fuel too.

Its nice to see 300zx's being treated as they should be along with many other cars. I agree with the above though its not that kids dont want to put awful kits on their cars, its that they generally can't afford to. With the cost of buying a car being very low (great) but the cost of actually insuring the dam thing being so insane for young drivers (i'm not saying it should be cheap but the cost is unfair) that if they are lucky enough to get something on the road normally they are out of money, and to be fair the ones with the money tend to be the more sensible ones that wouldn't have gone mad with it anyway.

 

Not that I was ever into the mass modification thing, infact I've spent my life trying to avoid it. You can't help but admire the lunatic that spent £10k putting a flick painted body kit with cameras for mirrors, fully smoothed and 20 inch wheels onto a 1.2 corsa he or she might not have been an enthusiast we can relate to but they were certainly dedicated to their car!

 

The other point to note is that cars used to look crap, you look at how rubbish a nova was back in the day it was like starting with a blank canvas (a rubbish radio and 2 speakers for example) these days modern cars look good, they have to to sell and they've all got alloys, lots of toys and its not easy to just rip a radio out and get your mate Dave to stick some speakers in and your on your way. I just gave a very small amount of money for a 2003 530i Sport Touring and I was looking at it the other day and where would you start? Its got a sport bodykit, low and stiff suspension, 17" alloys, 10 speaker stereo (not great, but dam difficult to actually replace well) 231bhp under the bonnet and it cost me considerably less than I spent on my first honda civic. When I bought that, it was 8 years old and already pretty rubbish despite having electric windows and mirrors etc, you look at an 07 plate (yes thats 8 years old!!) civic and its got all the toys. Bad example I know but the point being cars have improved so much since we were "young" that there becomes less need to modify them.

I think modifying is like fashion, tastes changes, I remember around the time when fast and the furious came out and how everybody put mad bodykits and lights and whatnot on their car and I loved it, I'm guilty myself of that. Some time ago I found an old album with pictures from a car show from that time and I was just like wow! What did they do to that poor car? Not to say I don't appreciate the work they put in, by all means, but not something I would drive around in nowadays.

Talking to some other people at a track event a few weekends ago about styling and such and how it seemed everybody had moved away from that tftf stuff it was like mentioning the 80's to people who lived through it, so much shame :-D

It was good to see peoples imagination and different tastes like karls rag rolled above, one of the reasons I got a 300!.

.

 

That abortion was one of the reasons I nearly left the Z32 scene! :rofl:

The funny thing is I still like big and wide body kit...

I guess some of us never grow up. LOL

 

Jerrick

Can I chirp in with ACTUALLY agreeing with Si for once... Yes I actually have grown up and have ditched the veilside kit that has adorned my Z since 2001 when I bought her as a rolling shell.... and fitted the kit!

I was into fast flashy body kits and saw the veilside kit before Fast and Furious made it cool to have one. For me it was to cover up the imperfect sills and rear quarter panels that, well looked dented and not straight at all!

I always loved the comments by the fast car / Max power mob and loved the attention being honest....

But the past couple of years has seen a change in my taste and aspirations of what I want my pride and joy to look like and feel like. I have watched Si, Joel, Andrew as well as other members bring their cars up to such a high standard...

It is an inspiration to see the TLC and attention to detail that members are pouring into their prized Z's....

 

They seem to have gone from a garaged toy's, to a passion and labour of love for a lot of owners.

 

I now aspire to stripping off all of the parts that show wear and rust..... Replacing them, fabricating parts, powder coating, reconditioning and subtly modifying some parts.

I have ditched the Veilside front bumper, boot spoiler, soon to be ditched is the side skirts....

I am going for a smooth and sympathetic sleek look that others have done, but this will take me some time to achieve financially with saving for the paintwork.

I no longer want the boy racer look, I want enthusiast who loves his car for what it is and not what he has turned it into!

Don't get me wrong, I loved the veilside kit..... (sorry Si).... But It isn't my Z's future, it is it's past..... Been there got the T'shirt kind of thing!

I can't afford to build a monster engine with huge HP gains, but I can try my best to keep my Z as rust free, Serviced, Maintained, Cleaned regularly, loved and most of all, Driven with passion!

My Z will never be good enough for concourse, but I can get her close with some time, effort, passion and a lotto win!

 

My Penny worth..... :innocent:

Edited August 15, 201510 yr by veilside01702

im sticking to wide body for now, i like the look of the wide body on the LWB with a 99 spec front end, topped with a wings west mid height rear spoiler no other body mods, smoothed skirts and ( when i get round to it ) a correctly factory pressed louvered bonnet bought from sussex stu many years ago and never fitted ....but then again i will be pushing nearly 500 rwhp so i feel the looks match the cars ability in this instance ...if i had my time again i would go stock with subtle performance and brakes handling mods but im in too deep and dont have the car back from Jimmer yet LOL

Well put Si and long may it continue. The original lines of our cars are stunning and often major mods takes that away. I've owned my Zed for 6 years now and whilst I've spent significantly more time driving it than modifying it, anything I have done I have made sure is reversible so I can bring it back to it's original spec if I want to. Our cars were ahead of their time when they were new and now, finally they are getting recognised for the classic design they truly are.

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I loved the veilside kit..... (sorry Si)....

 

No need to apologise Russ, we all make mistakes! :rofl:

No need to apologise Russ, we all make mistakes! :rofl:

 

And to think I was starting to like and respect you......... :slap:

Never! :rofl: ;)