Funkysi

Mine will be running stock turbos when I bring it up to you....eventually! With new loom and Z1 SMICs. I want to see how good the stock engine can be in a streetable format pretty much as Nissan intended.

I love cake - I'd have been pushing it into my face all day long had I have managed to get there!

Baz trying to hold in a big poo.

Not quite correct. SMZ wasn't a factory car either. The only models NOT to have a badge on the nose panel from the factory were US specification 1990 models. All other models(globally) had nose badges. Japan having the 'Z' badge and the rest of the world having the Nissan hamburger.

I remember everyone going down the chrome headlight route about 7 or 8 years ago, personally I am not a fan of it at all. I like deep menacing look of dark headlights. I'd say don't do them bright colours/finishes, stick with stock, a black-chrome or a gloss black and nothing else.

Great photos Andrew; nice to see some 'atmosphere' photos too. Agreed, one of my favourites, if not my favourite.

Slowly building up the front end. Top tip for headlights if ever you have them out for whatever reason, a thorough clean with APC @ 1:1 dilution and a toothbrush and you get the below! Nothing worse than filthy stained headlight backings in an otherwise clean engine bay. Mine were clean before hand, but got them that bit better as they're quite visible with the bonnet up. Not really that exciting!

As with ALL classics or retro classics you get a HUGE divide in pricing, that is either down to their condition or because the owners don't really know their true value. The 'general' perceptions is that they're dirt cheap cars, but that is skewed by the less-than-desirables you see on eBay for instance. Usually those that are in what I'd call 'exceptional' condition are owned by long term owners who are unlikely to sell anytime soon.

...and I thought my Coventry day was screwed up! Sorry to hear that Graham. At least you weren't on the ferry where the mezzanine decks had collapsed. I heard about half a dozen cars got crushed!

Yup, it's all go! Will be posting up rendezvous times/places and eventual meet point through shortly.

The best thing you can do to any Z32 manual transmission is simply to replace the shifter bushings on a stock shifter.

Yeah I was impressed when I saw the BDE engine mounts! Sure was a nice build, had a good nosy whilst Jim had it! :)

Ditto mate! I am soooo gutted to have missed out on Coventry today. :( Well, maybe you'll have it running for Beaulieu in 3 weeks time!

I am really glad it went well, but also sooooo damn gutted not to be able to make it - circumstances beyond my control! It was the one event I was REALLY looking forward to! I look forward to seeing the photos!

I was there when Jim was building your car. The spec you've now gone for with Jimmer's expertise is very impressive! That car will be a monster and a reliable one at that!

Well I have the car back, but didn't get it in the garage until just after 1.30. :( They'd already started machine polishing it when I got there and I managed to wait for a break in the rain (not watertight). Right PITA! Pissed off I missed Coventry, but had running commentary and photos being sent via Whatsapp from Joelyp

Soooooo ****ed off!!!!!! Wishing I was in Coventry. :( please take LOTS of photos.

I promised them to Osty1, he was after some rear trims, told him he could have the lot, gratis. If he doesn't need them, you're welcome to them. I trashed one of the windscreen trims unfortunately.

Hardly ever get thunder and lightening in the South West. I wish we would as I love electrical storms!

Thanks Gary! I am really happy with its new look. The car looks so much cleaner and more fresh and it's a pretty decent job too. I just want it to look like brand new and with all the new trim I am fitting (roof trim mainly as I have had scuttle panels for a year now) and I'm plastic polishing and sealing my 99-spec lights and perspex panel, it should be a pretty clean Z. :) I really want some new arch liners, but they're devilishly expensive. Mine are pretty good, but I want new!! :)

I recommend NOT having a short shifter. I have driven countless numbers of Z32s with them and I hate them. The stock one is the best, it has a comfortable short throw anyway, it's smooth to engage, I have never gotten on with short shifters, so can't recommend them. The Z1 shifter does appear to be the most widely used one and I'd go for that if you really want one.

Ditto Richard! If I can get anything sorted out tomorrow morning, then I will. This all came about at 10 minutes before they were shutting up shop and didn't really have time to think about it.

It was originally going to be the plan, but we didn't realise as time went on that the windscreen fitter wasn't going to turn up, their guy had other work commitments. It's not really the bodyshop's fault, TBH, they've been brilliant and have allowed me to rebuild my car on site and use various tools that I haven't had, they really have been excellent guys.

Despite today's bad mood, I can take solace in the fact that I am very happy with my Z now. Few more pics of today's action. I offered up the bumper to see how the metallic grey moustache looked and I am very happy with it. I am also really happy with the new colour; you can't see the pearl in the photos, but it's so bright and fresh, the car looks like brand new. Certainly will do with all new roof trims and everything else I've bought for it over the past year. I took these around midday, the whole back end is all back together now and spent some time making sure the bumper alignment was completely spot on as the panel gaps on this car have always been very very good. All the rubbers, metal retainers and door rubbers now refitted along with latches, catches, rear lights, parking sensor. Getting there.

Well I was going to come up in my DD, but due to circumstance beyond my control, it looks like that ain't gonna happen either! If anything changes, I'll be straight on the M5!