What are the top 20 early Z-car modifications considered to be "molestation"?

[gtom]

Because there are so many examples of the Z and they are available at a relatively affordable price the car lends itself to many owner modifications.

IMO many are good, others not. But a difference of opinion allows for all types of personal representations of what a Z should be.

This car was never an elitist type of sports vehicle, (Ferrari anyone?), and probably never will be.

It's still my favorite and I've owned many as well as many other marques from all over the world.

Buy what you like and do with it as you see fit. It's your car, your money, your opinion of taste.

My neighbor drives a Bentley Continental GT with a "tuner" grille kit, with the required vinyl "tuner" decal on the front fenders, also an aftermarket exhaust that makes it now sound like a pick-up truck. (IMO)

Personally, it looks / sounds hideous compared to the classic heavy mesh of the original grille and the distinctive exhaust note from the factory but he loves it and feels it adds a unique look and sound over the stock ones.

If you find what people do personally to their Z's abhorrent you may want to go for a different marque where only the correct purists congregate.

I can think of many of those types of car owners/clubs that cater to this view.

Thanks for your reply, however this is a moot point. Please see my first post at the top of the thread.

[Mikes Z car]

The 1st 240Z I had was 100% stock but had rust that I did some work on. The one I have now has no rust but I was shocked when I bought it as to how non stock it was with lowering, mural paint job, racing steering wheel and seats. Some of what I found shocking has been reversed back towards stock but there has been a processing

to accept some of the non stock items as a price for no rust. Almost a zen thing of some kind.

Mike

[Pleadingbark]

My 70 with 69,700 orig miles, 1 owner completely stock's prob a pretty good example of whats going to get molested shortly. Already pulled all smog crap off and boxed up, putting 15x9 0 offset this week on car and coilovers will be here friday for it aswell. Did stick an Ansa period correct muffler on it though.

Nothing like a hammered Safari Gold car in the morning.

[gtom]

My 70 with 69,700 orig miles, 1 owner completely stock's prob a pretty good example of whats going to get molested shortly. Already pulled all smog crap off and boxed up, putting 15x9 0 offset this week on car and coilovers will be here friday for it aswell. Did stick an Ansa period correct muffler on it though.

Nothing like a hammered Safari Gold car in the morning.

Thanks so much for sending the good news...rock and roll I guess.

[FastWoman]

To me, there is nothing so cool as a 100% original concourse automobile, and being an engine geek, I LOVE to see antique cars with their original engines. (That's why I'm so reluctant to retrofit my 280 with a MegaSquirt EFI.)

That said, there's a place for highly modified cars, and contrary to the assertions here, it's often the most highly modified cars that command the highest dollar. The 30's era chop jobs with Chevy 350's under where hoods used to be are an excellent cases in point.

And then there are the daily drivers, such as my own car. Small mods, here and there, ensure that my car remains safe and reliable. It's not a car for purists, but I feel it's a very special car in a way that a show car will never be. It is visible on the road, not just in parking lots, and I think that makes it a proud and honest car -- the automotive counterpart of a blue-collar working stiff. It is also something I can enjoy every day of the week! It's hard to put a dollar value on that.

[EVILC]

[jmortensen]

Ewww. Yucky.

[gtom]

To me, there is nothing so cool as a 100% original concourse automobile, and being an engine geek, I LOVE to see antique cars with their original engines. (That's why I'm so reluctant to retrofit my 280 with a MegaSquirt EFI.)

That said, there's a place for highly modified cars, and contrary to the assertions here, it's often the most highly modified cars that command the highest dollar. The 30's era chop jobs with Chevy 350's under where hoods used to be are an excellent cases in point.

And then there are the daily drivers, such as my own car. Small mods, here and there, ensure that my car remains safe and reliable. It's not a car for purists, but I feel it's a very special car in a way that a show car will never be. It is visible on the road, not just in parking lots, and I think that makes it a proud and honest car -- the automotive counterpart of a blue-collar working stiff. It is also something I can enjoy every day of the week! It's hard to put a dollar value on that.

I agree, original cars are cool, and cars that are modified carefully can be even more cool. As far as your daily driver car is concerned, it just demonstrates what a great design the car is from the get go, and I would consider this quality/characteristic, a true 'value' that's difficult to quantify in terms of monetary worth.

Througout this post, I never took the position that I was anti-modification, but instead wanted to identify 'm-word' modifications, that may destroy the 'value' of an early Z in quantifiable and unquantifiable terms, with hopes of providing some clarity of the subject.

[gtom]

Please see: http://www.rockyauto.co.jp/index.php

Edited October 19, 2011 by gtom

[cygnusx1]

Unfortunately, or fortunately, an S30 makes a great blank canvass. Some choose to create art, some consider the canvass complete as-is, and some simply fail.

[gnosez]

Except for the V-8 swap, I'm pretty sure I got all the other parts/mods on the "not to do" list:

Body - non-factory gnose with custom dam and splitter, OEM headlight covers and trim, 2003 Nissan paint (gunmetal gray w/added flake), BRE rear spoiler, H4 and fog lights, non-OEM antenna, BBS custom wheels (245x16x8), blackened engine bay, slight custom rear flared (to fit larger tires).

Engine - 1975 block, diesel crank, 40 over, triple 40mm, custom E31 head, crinkle powder coated valve cover, 120amp one wire GM alternator, gear reduction starter, pertronix and MSA 6al box, 8.5mm wires, custom brake booster/cam vacuum system, AZ Z radiator, electric fans, TWM cold air box and K&N cone filter, MSA coated header, custom 2.5 "exhaust w/Sebring Tuning muffler.

Drivetrain - '80ZX 5-spd, custom race balanced driveshaft, R200 3:90 diff w/Quaiffe, Modernmotorsport CV adapters, 280 stub axles, 300ZXT CV joints

Suspension - GC coilovers and camber plates, 2.5 springs (275 lbs), Tokico HTS shocks, PDK front strut bar, bump steer spacers, ZCCJDM custom outer tir rods, STS front and rear sway bars, Futofab custom front control arms, and AZ Z rear billet control arms, all poly bushings (that aren't hiemed)

Brakes - AZ Z Wilwood set-up with prop valve and 280 brake booster w/15/16 master

Interior - uncracked dash, 280 tach, 280 clock, Autopower roll bar, Cobra race seats w/3-inch Safe-quip belts, otherwise all stock interior carpets and trim

Judging of cars past the bone stock level is with ZCCA rules strictly limited to cleanliness.

[gnosez]

In my defense, I would like to add that I didn't purchase a number of Series I cars when I was looking for a replacement shell to built the 240 I currently have. With all the mods I was going to undertake, there was no way I would molest one of those vehicles.