4evaS30 Posted May 5, 2015 Posted May 5, 2015 There are many variations of the Z based (on era/decade) and they have all made impact in their own way. The First time I saw a 300zx on the road was spectacular, such presence and character. However, the 240 and 260 made the most impact. Undeniably, the most beautiful and not just amongst other Zs but other cars. Similarly, the 1970 Porsche 911 was one of the best design and most revered. Singer successfully created a masterpiece (watch below) and leaves a legacy despite the modern evolution of Porsche. I'm a late discoverer of the 70s Z, but in my books the best looking/driving/priced car. The e-type linden knocker low drag coupe (recreation available) and Porsche singer are both art on wheels and commanding price tags of above $200k. We are talking about Porsche's and Jags (look below) here! In equal stead, the Z needs the same (a recreation) treatment, but priced accordingly. Having lived in UK for 7 years I know it's possible there because of investment appetite, engineering expertise, low labour cost and automotive passion. The question is who and when? I hope soon...... Quote
andyk_79 Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 The fabrication work done by some of the members on here has made me ponder the recreation question recently when I've been daydreaming - been thinking that if someone had the money and time there is enough knowledge out there to build a "new" 70's Z from custom fabricated and aftermarket re-production parts and use modern running gear from other cars. The proliferation of GT40 kit cars shows that a coupe body is doable as a repro/kit car but I would hate to think of the initial investment required for something like this to get off the ground. The compliance hoops alone would mean an engineer would have to be heavily involved in the process as I suspect a straight repro of the 70's Z chassis would not cut it with modern design rules. It's one of those "if I won lotto tomorrow" type of day dreams I've had! Quote
theremm Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 The fabrication work done by some of the members on here has made me ponder the recreation question recently when I've been daydreaming - been thinking that if someone had the money and time there is enough knowledge out there to build a "new" 70's Z from custom fabricated and aftermarket re-production parts and use modern running gear from other cars. The proliferation of GT40 kit cars shows that a coupe body is doable as a repro/kit car but I would hate to think of the initial investment required for something like this to get off the ground. The compliance hoops alone would mean an engineer would have to be heavily involved in the process as I suspect a straight repro of the 70's Z chassis would not cut it with modern design rules. It's one of those "if I won lotto tomorrow" type of day dreams I've had! What a coincidence. Just published today: http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/2015/05/13/complete-frp-datsun-240z-body/ Quote
dat2kman Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 That British fibreglass body with integral floorpan, is suggested that a full roll cage be fitted for better strength. A seperate full length frame linking front to rear suspension points would'nt go astray. The makers of it claim that the FRP rear floorpan with integral suspension/diff mount points is adequate. Quote
d3c0y Posted May 14, 2015 Posted May 14, 2015 I'm doing a Singer style build on my car and having done all the mechanical work myself (3 years worth of weekends etc) it's quickly approaching the 3 figure sum with parts and panel work alone. The level of work is the same regardless of the base car, so you can just add another $30k to the price for a 911 base essentially (or take it off for the case of the zed) and you can quickly see that's a drop in the ocean. JDM Legends in the US are the biggest JDM turn key restorer outside of Japan I know http://www.jdmlegends.com/ and Rocky Auto in Japan are regularly do the sort of thing you are talking too: http://rockyauto.co.jp/ Quote
4evaS30 Posted May 21, 2015 Author Posted May 21, 2015 Singer Owner Rob Dickinson started with converting one car. Need to find out from him what it took to get Singer where it is now....... Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted May 21, 2015 Administrators Posted May 21, 2015 Singer Owner Rob Dickinson started with converting one car. Need to find out from him what it took to get Singer where it is now....... Lots of money! haha and a dream. I think he built an early 911 that got a lot of attention in the community and then from there had people asking him to build similar cars. Quote
4evaS30 Posted May 21, 2015 Author Posted May 21, 2015 hahaha but he's not that rich, he was in a band I certainly never heard of. So lots is relative.... I will try find out for you, maybe I can be a journalist acting on behalf of Auszcar! Quote
d3c0y Posted May 21, 2015 Posted May 21, 2015 My question is would you want to build cars for other people? I know the work i put in to mine and to just sell it at the end and not use it seems unappealing to me. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted May 21, 2015 Administrators Posted May 21, 2015 My question is would you want to build cars for other people? I know the work i put in to mine and to just sell it at the end and not use it seems unappealing to me. Yep, I feel the same actually. To restore a car to a really high standard and not get to enjoy it seems a bit depressing. However I think in the Singer situation they are taking cars that are past their normal use (they are tired 911s) and then stripping them down, and fitting a package that has been sort of pre-packaged in advance. There is obviously room for bespoke input and then they sell the car and keep track of it after that. So it's likely these cars end up getting serviced again by Singer and they become the care takers. I think that could be satisfying in that you're a care-taker of these unique cars and you get to look at beautiful cars all day. Maybe sometimes drive them also. But you also get to make people really happy and sell a product you really believe in and feel passionate about. I don't think you do it for "the money" because to be honest there is far easier ways to make money in this world that involve far less hassle. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted May 21, 2015 Administrators Posted May 21, 2015 hahaha but he's not that rich, he was in a band I certainly never heard of. So lots is relative.... I will try find out for you, maybe I can be a journalist acting on behalf of Auszcar! He may have done alright out of his time as a musician. I think being in a band (as a career) takes a lot of faith and belief in yourself, not unlike being an entrepreneur, you really have to be willing to make sacrifices and hope that in the long term it pays off. Perhaps his music career was drying up and he had enough money set aside and an idea and with that he got some investors interested and used that venture capital funding to kick start his dream. That's what the shark tank show is all about, venture capitalists critiquing your business. To be honest many 'investors' go for businesses like this, simply because they love cars like the rest of us. They don't expect to get a great return, but the boy inside them wants to do something exciting in their life. Not just invest in the next company that sells plush toys for dogs. . How else do all those Supercar companies ever get off the ground? Quote
260DET Posted May 24, 2015 Posted May 24, 2015 What a coincidence. Just published today: http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/2015/05/13/complete-frp-datsun-240z-body/ That body sounds like a great thing, just one point in it's favour is the use of structural foam sandwich construction which is way stronger and stiffer than a mere piece of sheet body steel. That's in addition to their use of structural steel reinforcements, if it has been designed and made properly it should be a winner and a great basis for a race car. Quote
Administrators gav240z Posted May 24, 2015 Administrators Posted May 24, 2015 I'm wondering what the FRP bonnet looks like on the underside, would be good if it looks like the 432-R style FRP hood. I suspect we'll be seeing more competition S30z's with this as an option. Quote
260DET Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 I'm doing a Singer style build on my car and having done all the mechanical work myself (3 years worth of weekends etc) it's quickly approaching the 3 figure sum with parts and panel work alone. The level of work is the same regardless of the base car, so you can just add another $30k to the price for a 911 base essentially (or take it off for the case of the zed) and you can quickly see that's a drop in the ocean. JDM Legends in the US are the biggest JDM turn key restorer outside of Japan I know http://www.jdmlegends.com/ and Rocky Auto in Japan are regularly do the sort of thing you are talking too: http://rockyauto.co.jp/ That two seater Z31 jdmlegends have for sale for US$11900 is good buying, hmmmm. Quote
dat240z Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 Does anyone know what the FRP 240z shell goes for??$$ Quote
HS30-H Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 ....if it has been designed and made properly it should be a winner and a great basis for a race car. A race car that will find it hard to be competitive in any race class that it is eligible for. Quote
260DET Posted May 25, 2015 Posted May 25, 2015 A race car that will find it hard to be competitive in any race class that it is eligible for. I'm sure that Jason could sneak one into Group Sc Seriously, there are really no other race classes in AU that a S30 can meaningfully compete in anyway but it might be possible to use one as a basis for a Sports Sedan, Z32 has been used before. Quote
dat2kman Posted May 26, 2015 Posted May 26, 2015 The inspectors have been known to run a felt covered magnet over body panels, and engine blocks, after a 3000 Healey fronted with an alloy blck, a few years back. One of these fibreglass bodies draped over a spaceframed chassis, with a decent LS-x mid mounted, running to a Hewland DG300 rear trans, would make an interesting, but narrow, Sports Sedan. Keith Carling ran a very effective Z32 for many years, car is still around. Quote
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