Was over in the UK last week playing with Astons and Spitfires. Went to MZR to have a look at getting a car built up. What a place, essentially they build a brand new 240Z with modern updates, think Singer Porsche but for 240Z. Amazing level of workmanship and quality, the full carbon body bonded onto the 240Z steel subframe is incredible.  Henry Catchpole did a video that sums them up. Waiting list is over two years for a new build, so they must be doing something right!

Here's some of the eye candy.

 

 

I follow them on instagram. Beautiful builds. And my favorite part is their color choices. Especially that minty green. I know the whole car is a masterpiece, but one detail I enjoy is how they weld and smooth together the entire rear tail light panel for a seamless look. Very clean. I always wonder though, where do they get their donor cars from, and are they relatively clean to begin with? I would imagine so.

I for one am glad that a company like MZR exists, and I can appreciate the work and effort they are putting into their offerings. It's also great to know that there's enough demand out there for them to keep at it.

 

 

  On 6/3/2024 at 3:47 PM, SpeedRoo said:

the full carbon body bonded onto the 240Z steel subframe is incredible. 

Yes, i've seen that video, i wonder if i can get myself a empty shell, just the body as it's made by them i guess?  It it completely made of carbon?  Wonder if my 1971 feb. car parts will fit in it..  Guess you have to buy also the doors and rear hatch, hood/bonnet?  I wood like to know what the costs would be.. 10 grand wouldn't be enough i guess..  A lot of guessing hey? 😉 

EDIT...   Took a look at the video again and i think this is not a carbon body car?   They just use a lot of carbon in the car but the shell is steel?  As are the doors and ...

Edited June 4, 2024Jun 4 by dutchzcarguy

I doubt 20k would be enough

MZR offers three different models. 

The 'Sport Design' is simply a restored and upgraded/hot-rodded Z (albeit, done with industrial-grade processes and attention to detail).  The exterior panels are OE and steel.

The 'Evolution' and 'MZR 50th Anniversary' models use what MZR describes as "a lightweight carbon composite exoskeleton".  It looks like this 'exoskeleton' consists of all of the external panels except for the roof (the rear quarter panels do not appear to be OE in shape).  It looks like everything underneath is just a well-restored Z monocoque.  The rear quarter panels and the rear-end panels would probably qualify as being 'bonded' to the steel structure.  I suspect that the steel door shells and the steel hatch frame are retained, with carbon fibre outer panels bonded in place. 

If you were to purchase the steel versions of all of those exterior panels, it would cost ~ US$6,000 (plus shipping, duties, and taxes).  In carbon fibre, they'd probably cost triple that amount (or more).

 

I tried to find current pricing.

The sport design was about $97,000

The evolution was starting in the $232,000 range. I suspect those numbers have gone up recently.

I'm not a huge fan of the carbon fiber exterior. I have thoughts like bonding strength. Fatigue over time and how does the unit work as a whole. Layup orientation and weave. Ease of repair. Etc.

I get there is some weight savings but is seems like a little more horsepower would overcome the excess weight easier than reskinning the car.

Cody wants to build a crazy S30 RB powered car. I would think an RB powered MZR would be a good option if you stayed with the all metal car. I know they are working on an RB car. There would be a cost premium but even DIY it wouldn't be a cheap build. The MZR might also retain value better because of the name recognition

 

What kind of horsepower does an RB produce?

Great video.
The guy said it makes about twice the h/p of original Z, as well as about 1100kg (2425lbs) around 120lbs heavier.

  On 6/4/2024 at 8:33 PM, Yarb said:

What kind of horsepower does an RB produce?

Depends on the RB. An RB26 was about 276BHp stock. They can make in the 400's. Supposedly about 500 HP things start to break internally

  On 6/4/2024 at 1:30 PM, Namerow said:

If you were to purchase the steel versions of all of those exterior panels

Problem is i've got those.. i'm missing a clean empty shell, every thing else i have spares haha!  So if i could buy a shell i could start a build..  But i'm dreaming again, as my 280zx is still on the lift.. waiting for me to put the engine in... pfff..