So after 21 years of ownership the next stage of my journey with the Z has have finally started when the car was stripped

down and shipped off for complete glass out re-spray at the Club's favourite bodyshop. The garage feels *very* empty!

 

Later in the year the car will undergo the final stage of significant development in my ownership with the "bolt-on" engine

upgrades I have been collecting together over time. More about that later on.

 

My goal is for the car is to be OEM+ in the sense that the modifications and enhancements made to the car have always

been carried out with the overriding aim of preserving as much as possible of the original character and identity of one of the

best sports cars to come out of Japan. I like to think that the car will look and drive the way the engineers at Nissan given free

rein could have built the car without production constraints getting in the way.

 

Built in November '93, 1547 was the penultimate RHD car built for the UK market out of a total of 1548 cars recorded in Nissan's

FAST database. It may well be the last as so far I have found no record of 1548 being imported and registered in the UK.

 

I bought the car back in March '98 from Howards Nissan in Weston-super-Mare. The car was first registered in May '94

and owned by Nissan UK. My journey with 1547 started with this advert in Auto Trader and I became the second owner.

 

 

Fast-forwarding to the present, I took this picture as a memento when I last took her out for a blast back on a sunny day back in

February this year. The photo is deceptive as to the condition close up. Unfortunately after 25 years there are numerous chips,

scratches, shopping trolley dings and poor re-sprays (most of which happened before I bought the car from Nissan). I know how

the car will end up looking as the bodyshop has also repainted several other well know cars in the Club to an exceptionally high

standard. Can't wait!

 

 

Loading up.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I plan to update this journal with the details of the modifications I have made over the years to 1547 with pictures, descriptions

and my personal observations of the results of making those changes. I will also include references to the resources and companies

I have used to help me make decisions on what to do with the "bolt-on" engine upgrades planned for later on this year.

 

Edited January 19, 20214 yr by AndrewG

The bodyshop has posted on FB lots of pictures showing the progress made to date with the re-spray.

 

 

These are just a selection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi Andrew.

 

Great post, thanks for the updates. Glad you’ve gone for a full glass out respray, I’d thought previously you had said it was just going to be a blow over. I can’t wait to see how it comes out. :thumbsup:

a few hard to reach to places that could do with a good clean while you they are accessible there Andrew ;)

 

will be nice to see in the summer :thumbup1:

Nice one Andrew. I wonder what number my old UK Z was. Is it the chassis number you'd need or is there a way to find out from the reg?

 

Edit: found an old logbook. Vin is Jn10rgz32u0010863

Edited May 6, 20196 yr by bird
Corrected vin number

Nice thread! I'm up that way in a few weeks, I'll let you know what date and pop in on it. I think Joel has that day off too, the 14th, maybe we could all grab lunch at the pub nearby.

Great thread to follow.:thumbup1:

Nice thread Andrew - and can't wait to see the finished article...:clover::thumbup:

Popped over to the bodyshop yesterday to see the progress with 1547. Both doors are now off to get the best possible

prep before painting. It is much easier to see defects when the doors are horizontal and catch the light. All the glass is now

off the car. The stock "stone guard" finish is being removed which is a somewhat time consuming on the front and rear

bumpers, but the end result will be worth it.

 

The bodyshop was very busy yesterday so the car was moved outside for me to take a few pictures. Nice to see the car

again.

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 15, 20196 yr by AndrewG
Spelling

These guys are really stripping the Z back to its main body shell. Its going to be factory fresh again Andrew and when its done you wont want to take it out of the garage.

I've no plans to "preserve in aspic" - the car will be used and enjoyed as before.

Coty!

Popped over to the bodyshop yesterday to see the progress with 1547. Both doors are now off to get the best possible

prep before painting. It is much easier to see defects when the doors are horizontal and catch the light. All the glass is now

off the car. The stock "stone guard" finish is being removed which is a somewhat time consuming on the front and rear

bumpers, but the end result will be worth it.

 

The bodyshop was very busy yesterday so the car was moved outside for me to take a few pictures. Nice to see the car

again.

 

 

So you have succumbed to the smooth finish then.....:wink:

Coty!

 

….And definitely... Can't wait to see it complete!!

good job ;)

Subscribed.

 

Looking forward to seeing the finished results

The bodyshop has posted another update on FB with more pictures showing progress with the re-spray. Pretty much

done with getting the primer coat on (bumpers excepted). Exciting stuff!

 

 

These are just a selection.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 2, 20195 yr by AndrewG

Coming along nicely Andrew its going to be just awesome.

Looking good Andrew. Are you going for the black roof bar or keeping it blue?

Looking good Andrew. Are you going for the black roof bar or keeping it blue?

 

Keeping them blue Chris.

Looking great Andrew....:thumbup:

Nice to see this moving forward Andrew. Can't wait to see it in the 'flesh' :thumbup:

Just had a call from the bodyshop - Blue paint going on this week and all being well car should be

ready to come home in two weeks time!

Edited June 4, 20195 yr by AndrewG

Popped up to have a look Andrew, it looks good in the new colour. A very brave choice though, the first Z to host the colour Cocoa Dust Pearl:

 

Popped up to have a look Andrew, it looks good in the new colour. A very brave choice though, the first Z to

host the colour Cocoa Dust Pearl: