Not much of a "build thread" for the foreseeable, but I'll use this to document my car's journey anyway.

 

I grew up on Gran Turismo on Playstation, so like many others I'm absolutely obsessed by Japanese sports cars, from the '90s in particular. For many years I wanted a Skyline or a GTO (or NSX if I was rich), but in the past few years I turned my attention towards the RX-7 and 300ZX. The RX-7 would be the more sensible choice in Ireland, as the tax rate is nearly €1,000 lower PA than the Z. When I entered the working world and started saving, I was pulled more towards the 300ZX. Not really sure why - I'd never really taken any notice of them, but I spotted a dealer selling a red, Irish car on CarZone.ie around that time and I just wanted it. If only I'd graduated a year earlier! Anyway, after saving for a year or so I was watching online for ads practically 24/7, but nothing decent was coming up - except maybe one white slicktop TT, but tulip got there first :( So I stuck a deposit with JDMAuctionWatch and prepared to bid on cars.

 

My aim at this point was a 2+2 TT, in white and manual, around 1996. Selection was a bit limited at the time though, save for some nice (and expensive) late models - strangely, all Version R spec cars. So I bid on those instead. First up was a black, manual 1998 GCZ32 version R, graded 3.5. Looked like it needed a bit of tidying, but overall a cool car with some minor modifications.

 

 

I placed a bid of around €9,000 I think, but oddly the car was pulled from auction. It came through again a few days later, graded 3 and noting that the mileage was unverified (probably why it was pulled). I bid about €7,500 this time, considering, but it sold for about €8,900. The following week, an identical car came up for sale. Grade 4 this time and with lower mileage. Outbid again - €13,900! Next up was a 2000 version R in white, NA auto, graded 4.5 and with only 22,000 KM. This car was so clean that I bid without even asking for a translation of the auction sheet, but it sold for over €21,000. I think this might be the one in Nissan's museum now.

 

On to the main event... Up came a 2000 version R in ultra red, manual NA with 120,000 KM. Very original and graded 3.5, though as my agent informed me (and he's absolutely right) it would make grade 4 in most auction houses. I won this car, at a cost of about €9,700 landed in Dublin.

 

 

It was then transported from Honda Nagoya to the partner's compound. Inspection was very positive.

 

Edited February 5, 20178 yr by dutchgold92

Booked next for transport on the Hoegh Tokyo. It was a long wait for 10 weeks or so, but the tracking was fun to watch. Finally, on the 12th of July 2015, we headed down to Dublin port to pick it up. I was taken aback by the state of it at first, dusty as **** and some paint had also been splashed on the front wing during transport. Just needed a good wash though. It's funny, but the car seemed so much different - lower and wider, mostly - in person, even though I've seen a few of these before. I opted not to drive it home myself, as I had no insurance, the car was unregistered and untested, and I'm a dodgy looking young lad. The drive home was exciting, all the same.

 

 

Got it home and gave it a quick wash. The car was absolutely spotless. The only things I think worth mentioning - and I'm being very finicky here:

- Lacquer peeling on spoiler (badly)

- Gear knob and seat bolsters worn

- Small scuff at the front of the left skirt

- Wheels on wrong sides (Gary!)

 

 

A bit more on the car itself. It was first registered on the 12th of April 2000, which means it was probably in the last 100-200 cars made, as production ended in August. It has the late (10/98-08/00) version R trim level, which is the most performance-oriented option despite being 2+2 only. Features include Recaro Speed seats, red-stitched gear knob and steering wheel, carbon fiber effect stereo and window control surrounds, side skirts, spoiler as standard, chassis rigidity improvements, and stiffer suspension. The car also has factory-fitted xenon headlights (optional on NA models). As is often the case, I don't have any service history with the car, other than knowing that mileage was recorded as 97,500 KM in April 2011 and 109,100 KM in April 2013, and that the timing belt has been replaced between these periods. Anyway, the car has received excellent care from its previous owner(s). Drove perfectly from the start and everything felt brand new.

Edited February 5, 20178 yr by dutchgold92

First order of business was to get it registered. This is great fun, because you can't figure out how much the scumbags in the Irish government are going to charge you until you bring the car on the day. Paid about €1,600 for vehicle registration (this is illegal in the EU by the way, but they only intervene when it suits them) but got nearly half back on appeal. I also had a top-of-the-range Clifford security system fitted.

 

 

Few small touch-ups to begin with; painted the well-weathered trim pieces, painted the front calipers, fitted a new Fairlady Z decal from Phutumsch, and swapped to clear side indicators. Also basic servicing, of course. Got two new rear tyres - the car was undersealed from Japan (slightly unusual) and very clean underneath.

 

Had to catch what was left then of show season! Spent a lot of time detailing, not that it really needed it.

 

At some point I also fitted a brand new version R gear knob, and a Japspeed cat-back from Richie K. Changed the rear side markers to red (free thanks to Ted!) at some point, which required some modification as they didn't have a bulb slot.

 

 

Over the winter and coming into 2016, I had the car freshly undersealed. Fitted new rear speakers as the old ones were pretty much perished. Fitted a new Bosch 068 battery in April 2016 when the old one gave out - fair enough after five years. Replaced the targa seals as they did leak a bit in heavy rain. Coming to August, I finally had the spoiler repainted as it was really letting the car down. Refitted with sealant, as this is a three-piece spoiler and the gaskets were perished and are no longer available.

 

Attended quite a few shows in 2016, met a few other Z owners and just enjoyed the car. Made it to the 300ZX.co.uk AGM, though unfortunately I didn't bring the car over :( Late in the year I acquired a replica titanium key in red and fitted an APEX'i Power Intake. I want to keep the car original so this is about as far as I plan to modify it bar changing the wheels, although I wouldn't rule out a TT swap some day.

 

 

That's about it for the moment. The car's been declared off the road from November 2016, covered up and put on a trickle charger. Hoping to get on with the 200,000 KM service in the next few weeks (have nearly €2,000 in genuine Nissan parts in the shed at this stage) and have it back on the road for March/April. Looking forward to that!

 

Some plans for 2017...

I got these calipers from Mondo, which I'll fit and rebuild my existing ones.

 

 

Purchased a set of 350Z anniversary wheels today, courtesy of a mate in Birmingham. Once we figure out how to get them back, I'll get them refurbished and fit some red Z badges for center caps. Possibly replace the tyres if their grip is shite.

 

 

I also have a massive box of genuine Recaro replacement foam in the shed, so I need to find someone to sort out my seats. They're actually in excellent condition, just that the foam is collapsed in places. No tears at all.

 

That's all for now... Currently sitting at about 131,500 KM.

Edited February 5, 20178 yr by dutchgold92

Hi mate look at lombard shipping to get the wheels across, they have trucks goin from Liverpool to Dublin and Belfast. Probably shove them on a container for you at small fee..

Hi mate look at lombard shipping to get the wheels across, they have trucks goin from Liverpool to Dublin and Belfast. Probably shove them on a container for you at small fee..

 

Cheers will check them out if we go courier. He'll more than likely be over on the ferry over the coming months so may bring them that way.

Replacing the foam on your seats is dead easy, Jay. :thumbup1:

Great story and enjoyed the read...never thought your car was so clean underneath:yes:

Great story and enjoyed the read...never thought your car was so clean underneath:yes:

 

I hope it stays that way...no garage for it but I'm not going to drive it through another winter if possible, even rarely in bad weather.

 

Thanks!

Great read Jay and your Z is in awesome condition mate :thumbup1: Glad you sorted the wheels lol.

A bit more on the car itself. It was first registered on the 12th of April 2000, which means it was probably in the last 100-200 cars made, as production ended in August

 

PM me the VIN and I will give you the precise production date.

Attended quite a few shows in 2016, met a few other Z owners and just enjoyed the car. Made it to the 300ZX.co.uk AGM, though unfortunately I didn't bring the car over :( Late in the year I acquired a replica titanium key in red and fitted an APEX'i Power Intake. I want to keep the car original so this is about as far as I plan to modify it bar changing the wheels, although I wouldn't rule out a TT swap some day.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]104181[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]104182[/ATTACH]

 

That's about it for the moment. The car's been declared off the road from November 2016, covered up and put on a trickle charger. Hoping to get on with the 200,000 KM service in the next few weeks (have nearly €2,000 in genuine Nissan parts in the shed at this stage) and have it back on the road for March/April. Looking forward to that!

 

Some plans for 2017...

I got these calipers from Mondo, which I'll fit and rebuild my existing ones.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]104183[/ATTACH]

 

Purchased a set of 350Z anniversary wheels today, courtesy of a mate in Birmingham. Once we figure out how to get them back, I'll get them refurbished and fit some red Z badges for center caps. Possibly replace the tyres if their grip is shite.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]104184[/ATTACH]

 

I also have a massive box of genuine Recaro replacement foam in the shed, so I need to find someone to sort out my seats. They're actually in excellent condition, just that the foam is collapsed in places. No tears at all.

 

That's all for now... Currently sitting at about 131,500 KM.

 

No mention of the "Extremely Cool & Thoughtful" guy that hooked you up with the wheels??:whistling::innocent::whistling::tt2:

 

Hint... He might be pictured in post #5 :biggrin::thumbup:

A good read Jay [emoji41][emoji106]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]104178[/ATTACH]

 

Nice read but i didn't know you had such relaxed burial rules in Ireland :confused1:.

Nice read but i didn't know you had such relaxed burial rules in Ireland :confused1:.

 

?[emoji23]

Though I'm grateful to my missus for letting me use her car every day, driving a 1.5L N16 Almera is absolutely soul-destroying. So hopefully this hibernation will end very soon.

 

The other week I removed the front bumper, which wasn't really too bad despite the bloody hands. Today, I fired it up for the first time in over three months, and it sounds perfect. Removed the front undertray and got it into the garage - after we pushed the other car out.

 

 

So next step is to drain the oil and coolant, maybe Sunday. I'll probably remove the front bumper support bar for easier access too.

 

Oh and these came this morning for my wheels!

 

Edited February 24, 20178 yr by dutchgold92

Very very nice

 

Like that a lot. rear diff is different to ive just noticed lol

Very very nice

 

Like that a lot. rear diff is different to ive just noticed lol

 

Different to TT diff do you mean?

different full stop looks smooth and the drain pug is on the rear rather than the side

different full stop looks smooth and the drain pug is on the rear rather than the side

Nice spot. The r200 oem one has it about half way up on the left side.

Edited February 25, 20178 yr by Alic

Nice spot. The r200 oem one has it about half way up on the right side.

 

Drain plug half way up? Sure that's not the fill plug youngen?

Drain plug half way up? Sure that's not the fill plug youngen?

Oh yes you are correct that was what I was thinking about, I do remember now the drain plug was further down. And its on the left looking from the rear of the car i've just remembered

Started stripping the front end down on Sunday.

 

 

As it stands now, the radiator is out and that's almost complete.

 

Also removed the gear shifter yesterday to change the bushings - no evidence it previously had any :confused: This evening, while that's out I ordered a Z1 rebuild kit and changed the leather gaitors.

 

 

Hopefully will start the actual work this weekend.

no evidence it previously had any :confused:

It must have done, I don't think it would work without as there would be too much slack to shift. The (i think) m8 bolt that goes through the bottom of the shifter assembly goes through a sleeved hole in the base of the shifter, surrounded by some nylon bushing and enclosed by a pipe section. And the central balljoint without the plastic bushing would just knock around. Can you provide any pictures of what you mean?

I don't know if i'm making and sense :lol:

 

And sorry I can't find the rest of your plans. Radiator out for replacing belts/cambelt or what? hmm

Edited February 28, 20178 yr by Alic