I've been jigging this around in my head for a while and i'm interested to see what other z owners think.

 

I craved the 99spec look for years before i could afford it, but now i'm going through some sort of crisis. OK, rear spoiler is definitely an improvement on the spongey original and even the 94 replacement but i think the first z's out of the factory didn't have any at all.

 

but the front, that's not so simple. pics won't really show this, anyone who's stood in front of a 99 spec and original front bumper parked side by side may agree. The 99 spec looks a little bit..i don't want to use the wrong word here...friendly? The original with the slatted turbo intakes, the dark strip breaking up the colour, I don't know, it just looks aggressive, low like it's gonna bite you. I was reminded of this last weekend when Tulip(trish)'s red UK spec was parked beside me quite a bit. I couldn't help admiring how nissan designers got it right from the start.

 

I don't know the who was responsible for the 99 spec facelift ,but they have done a great job in bringing the looks more up to date and it looks so sweet when your playing gran tourismo 3!

 

But... when you look at the original design in the flesh it just seems right. The overall stance of the car (without a rear spoiler)looks (IMO) lower and wider and has a bit more character. The problem is most of the stock zeds around have rough looking front bumpers , chipped paint etc. which is a shame

 

back to the rear, the lights were the best thing, and regardless of body shape these are a must-have.I've got the D.I.Y job and saw the two sided by side last weekend and theres a Massive Difference.

 

I've been photographing this car since i first bought one in 2001 and at this stage must know every angle, bend and look. I hope i don't put anyone off going 99 spec because I still love it but can't help looking at the greener grass :)

I have a theory Mick. I think that the original looks were great. TBH that's why I bought the car and have wanted one for so many years before that. The thing that has occurred to me is because since owning my 300ZX and joining this club I have seen so many 300's that it sort of (but not definitely) gets a bit boring and like anything the novelty wore off. Seeing the newer look and some really lovely mods done makes a change. Now with this in mind I have been coming on less frequently of late for numerous reasons and having been away from the scene so to speak and not seeing so many 300zx cars like before, the original look has worn its way back on me and so hence my dilemma with what bumper to use. If any of that makes sense? So maybe you have the same sort of thing. When you first wanted one it was original. you see loads and want something different. back and forth until you realize what you wanted to start with was the car sitting next to your modded one? :D :D

. When you first wanted one it was original. you see loads and want something different. back and forth until you realize what you wanted to start with was the car sitting next to your modded one? :D :D

 

lol Vinnie that's it in a nutshell :duffer:

I too understand what you mean about the 99-spec front end. Whilst it updates the look of the car, I prefer the slightly more aggressive look of the earlier one. You could do what I did and have all the rock guard shaved off. Gives it a lovely fresh look.

 

As for the rear spoiler debate, the early TT models came with the spoiler. Only on the USDM market was a spoiler optional on the N/A and since all 2+2s were N/A over there, most come sans-spoiler. I've had both the smooth tailgate and the spoiler. I did like the smooth but the car always looked like it was missing something. A halfway house is the tailgate lip which is quite nice. But not very purist if you're wanting to keep it that way.

 

I am also one of those strange people that actually like the original spoiler and considered fitting a fibreglass replacement before I decided on the 99-spec.

I too understand what you mean about the 99-spec front end. Whilst it updates the look of the car, I prefer the slightly more aggressive look of the earlier one. You could do what I did and have all the rock guard shaved off. Gives it a lovely fresh look.

 

As for the rear spoiler debate, the early TT models came with the spoiler. Only on the USDM market was a spoiler optional on the N/A and since all 2+2s were N/A over there, most come sans-spoiler. I've had both the smooth tailgate and the spoiler. I did like the smooth but the car always looked like it was missing something. A halfway house is the tailgate lip which is quite nice. But not very purist if you're wanting to keep it that way.

 

I am also one of those strange people that actually like the original spoiler and considered fitting a fibreglass replacement before I decided on the 99-spec.

 

The 99 spec rear spoiler is the best for this car I agree with you there. I wanted the overal shape to be like a wedge. I dont know why but its just my taste I spose? But the high level spoiler does what I wanted and so I kept it that way. I am going to look at your rides in a mo Si to see what you mean by having the rock gaurd shaved off? Both your cars Si and Mick are superb examples and an inspiration to any 300ZX owner. IMO. :D

 

Had a look but cant see what you mean Si? Please elaborate for me.

You know on the bottoms of the bumpers there's a dimpled finish and there's unsmoothed stonechip on the lower halfs of the sills. Well I've had all that removed so it gives it a clean slick look.

You know on the bottoms of the bumpers there's a dimpled finish and there's unsmoothed stonechip on the lower halfs of the sills. Well I've had all that removed so it gives it a clean slick look.

 

OIC. Yeah! I think thats a great idea. I am going to do that with my finished modded back bumper. Ta very mooch :D

...you can see here. Bottoms of the bumpers totally smooth and fresh looking...

 

 

 

 

 

How it used to look.

 

...you can see here on the front bumper too...

 

Before...

 

 

After...

 

 

 

You can see the sills quite well in this shot...all lovely and smooth. :)

 

the condition of your zed Simon is a credit to you :bow: outstanding finnish

 

As for the rear spoiler debate, the early TT models came with the spoiler. Only on the USDM market was a spoiler optional on the N/A and since all 2+2s were N/A over there, most come sans-spoiler. I've had both the smooth .

 

i don't agree with that i think the jdm had the same option as my na came with a "turbo" spoiler! this i would assume was fitted at factory as all the tailgate is not in a modified to fit state.

Thanks Bri.

 

Gaz, I can't recall ever seeing an N/A JDM Z32 without a spoiler other than the Series 4 and 99-spec types. Maybe I'm wrong, but can't imagine every Z32 N/A JDM was ordered with that option. Just an observation.

see what you mean si, yours looks perfect with the bottom bits smoothed and repainted, looks really fresh. If i ever sell and by another thats what i'm gonna do. and again :bow: to your zed, it's stunning

awesome as your car is si. It has one major issue! It puts everyone to shame about theres... so they want to sell, hence a glut on the market ergo low prices... So you have single handedly made the the ZX is worth nothing ;) hehe.

 

Now you have said about that dimpled effect i went to look at mine, and now i hate the front and rear bumpers and desperatly want it fixed so its smooth.... dam you!

heres an example of mine few years back when I bought it and the other one after the bodywork. They're not great pics and at at slightly different angles but it makes a point i think

I agree about the 99spec front bumper, and its left me in a dilema about my bumper choice.

 

Im really not a fan of the original bumper, it dates the car quite badly but while the 99spec brings the front end right up to date, looking much more modern and fresher...its not quite as aggressive as the older bumper.

 

I think the answer is the "Escort" front bumper which is basically a 99spec bumper with a lip/spoiler extension. Only prob is its Fibreglass. There is the option of importing that or to get a lip added to the genuine 99spec spoiler.

 

heres an example of mine few years back when I bought it and the other one after the bodywork. They're not great pics and at at slightly different angles but it makes a point i think

 

I still think the current guise is great. Really nice look you've got apart from the vented nose panel. Vented nose panels rarely work on the Z32. It's a nice flat smooth and uniform shape and just looks untidy with slices cut into it. I think only the Stillen one looks good and also there's another one with horizontal slats that doesn't look bad, but you just can't beat the nice smooth look of the original nose panel IMHO.

Dave, Escort front bumper is nice, but nowhere to mount the no. plate!

My problem with the 99spec front is that it just doesn't drop low enough, you notice this especially if you have side skirts.

 

I always liked the look of Friday's modified one...

Dave, Escort front bumper is nice, but nowhere to mount the no. plate!

Does that keep you awake at night Si? lol

 

Just put a sticker type number plate on it?

Yes, but that isn't the neatest look.

Dave, Escort front bumper is nice, but nowhere to mount the no. plate!

 

I dont see a problem with one of the 3/4 size plates attaching to the front even with the shaved number plate bracket. I think Im going for adding a lip myself(or with bodyshop) to a genuine 99spec though

the current guise is great. Really nice look you've got apart from thI still thinke vented nose panel. Vented nose panels rarely work on the Z32. It's a nice flat smooth and uniform shape and just looks untidy with slices cut into it. I think only the Stillen one looks good and also there's another one with horizontal slats that doesn't look bad, but you just can't beat the nice smooth look of the original nose panel IMHO.

 

 

That's why i had the old nose panel resprayed and bought a new z emblem for it. i've also got the stillen one, but find this suits the 99 spec front the best. and this pic really makes the 99 spec look good, but as mgh 297 said it's not low enough although you might not think it by the picture. Daves pic of the black one looks really good, so if i can somehow add some sort of lip onto the bottom it might work

Well for me i always thought the 99spec front bar looked abit to plain and not aggressive as most of you guys have put it, for my liking. I was always into big chunky body kits when i first got my zed and i was plaining to get a veliside front bar and then i saw a few wide arch bodykit which i then tunred my focus on getting but since i began my 2000spec conversion ive had to rethink my opinions on the 99spec front bar. The extra lip might work but i dunno yet. For me bodykits are the last thing i want to add to my zed as when you think about it a car should represent who you are, in a way and should showcase what you think looks best on your car to the outside world. I believe that everyone is different and has different tastes in things and just because it looks ugly to some people doesnt mean others wont like it.

 

Atm im focusing on getting as much 99/00 spec parts as possible eg, lights, engine parts, interior parts etc. and then look at the 99spec bodykit.

 

Another ideal could be this.

 

 

This is what a japanese guy swaped for his 2000spec front bar on his 2000spec ZX.

 

 

This is what a japanese guy swaped for his 2000spec front bar on his 2000spec ZX.

 

 

Then he wants shooting! :rofl: