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

Must be the best LWB 300zx in Ireland :thumbup1:

 

Most definitely the best, and one of the newest in UK and Ireland:thumbup:

Loads of room there pal:innocent: I might know where a chap could get his hands on a couple of sets of big brake kits:whistling::whistling:

 

Go away! :lol:

Looks awesome Jay, nice work [emoji41]

Go away! :lol:

 

Ones that should fit inside those beautiful wheels :whistling:

Oh, there was something else. Fitted a Tokyo Auto front strut brace! Minus the brake master cylinder stopper, which doesn't fit the late model.

I'll have to paint the red badge properly, as the bonnet insulation has already scratched most of the paint off it.

 

Trying Poorboys wheel sealant and nattys paste wax. Nice mirror finish on the paint, and shiny wheels which hopefully will stay that way.

 

 

With the cold weather during the week, I had a very slight leak from the passenger side roof. Seemed to come in where the ttop seal (new) meets the A pillar seal - could it be the fault of the ttop end cap?

No, it won't be due to the end cap. Is it coming in from the joint between ttop seal and roof seal?

No, it won't be due to the end cap. Is it coming in from the joint between ttop seal and roof seal?

 

Appears to be here:

Fairly common. If you've replaced one section only they won't seal up like buying both seals as the older one would have shrunk ever so slightly. This difference can be taken up by compressing the seals a little more via window adjustment. Pop off the door card and loosen the bump stops for the window to make the windows close slightly higher. This should sort the problem out.

Another year, another pass. I didn't correctly put the alarm in valet mode this time, so the tester's confusion during the emissions test was fun. 1,553KG with just over a quarter tank of petrol.

 

 

I don't really have any further plans for the car at this point. Seats are being refurbished soon, when the fabric arrives, and I think I'll have the mirrors and skirts repainted this Winter.

Nice one Jay :thumbup:

Finally got my seats refurbished. Kept to the rare version R factory style. All new foam, and some minor fabric repairs.

 

Before:

 

 

After:

 

 

Now, if I could only figure out how to reassemble them!

Could do with a shampoo, but it's now a much better place to sit.

 

It's been about a year but my mate finally came through with shipping. Great condition.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]108586[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]108585[/ATTACH]

 

Plan is something like this:

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]108587[/ATTACH]

 

So what profile tyre do I want? On a Z33 they take 225/45/18 and 245/45/18.

 

Ive just bought a set of these for the swb. What tyre sizes did you go for?

Ive just bought a set of these for the swb. What tyre sizes did you go for?

 

225/40 and 245/40. Advan AD08R.

Thanks Jay. I take it 350z tyres won't fit.

Edited July 8, 20187 yr by t.mogsy

Thanks Jay. I take it 350z tyres won't fit.

 

The 350z uses a higher profile, giving a larger rolling radius.

The 350z uses a higher profile, giving a larger rolling radius.

 

Currently have 225/45 & 245/45

Not too much going on these days, but I did recently purchase a Veilside Evolution from Japan. Fitted on Saturday, and it's a big step up from the Japspeed PoS.

 

 

Next plan is to stock up on trim and some other bits. Maybe a big brake kit after that.

Very nice, simply one of the best quality exhausts available.