I don’t think you’re wrong bud - still have that in the back of my mind for sure. I might drop you another message soon!
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“Restomod” S30s - who’s got / built one?
- Thread starter Zedman
- Start date
Jay.
Club Member
I went through the same conundrum as you did - initially buying a LHD one from the USA which requires a "bit of welding", with the belief that i could get the welding done and a RHD conversion done. In the end it became cheaper (and, more importantly, quicker) to find a restored RHD Z that was already finished.
Malc C
Club Member
Hi I have two I went down the 260 2+2 route my first was a 78 which needed bodywork and I put a na rb25 in with a rb20 gearbox and upgraded brakes which I found the biggest problem and the second one is a 75 model which is a uk car and completely rust free and I put a rb25 turbo in this and to be honest I much prefer the non turbo version.Hey folks,
I’ve been lurking and reading, and speaking to some of you for the last few months with an aim to understand if my current plans could become a reality.
I’d really love to end up with an S30 “restomod” - something along the lines of the “Fugu Z” from the movies. It would have to be RHD and road legal for UK use.
Now I’m of the opinion that the most cost-efficient way of achieving this is by buying a 260/280z instead of the more expensive 240Z. I’m not too concerned over the extra weight and I think I’ve read that the chassis rails on the 280 are thicker/stronger?
There’s a possibility that someone may have already started a project like this which may save some time/money overall, I guess. (If you know of any please do let me know)
My questions are:
- What would you expect a base car for this to cost? I’d hope I could save some money here as I wouldn’t need the bodywork/paint to be perfect as it’d need redoing anyway..?
- Is a LHD to RHD conversion a better option (US import?) to get a car with less rust? How much does this conversion cost, roughly, and are parts available?
- Do any companies import cars from the US in the same way that many do from Japan? I’m not sure I’d be confident enough trying to do it myself, but it does appear that most cars and parts would come from the US as there are few available here in the UK.
- Have any of you done this already, and can you share your experience / advice / any links to threads or companies you used? Please also share some photos if you can!
It’s quite possible that I cannot achieve my end goals with the budget I have, but I’d like to try and estimate an initial target cost so I can make an informed decision. I’m well aware that costs can spiral, but if I’m not even in the right ballpark then I’ll have to give up on the idea and find an alternative car/project.
Thanks
Malc
1980 Datsun 280 Zx
1980 Datsun 280 Zx Just finishing up this pretty epic 280zx. UK registered and on its UK plates. Super cool classic tha...www.carandclassic.com
Is it possible to do something similar with a 280zx?
I know EFI etc would need to be removed, a bit of weight saving on other bits too.. but are there as many kit options for the ZX? I don’t think so, but thought I’d ask!
280zx are pretty rare in the UK if you want them in a RHD 2-seater. There's also very few parts available compared to S30s.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
Something that has been touched on lightly already in this thread, but automotive 'fashions' inevitably change. What is 'in' at any one point might soon be seen as slightly old hat until the whole thing comes around again full circle.
My hunch is that modern styling kits such as those from 'Pandem'/'Liberty Walk'/'Star Garage' and their ilk will age rather quickly as they are copied and, in turn, the copies are copied and adapted. 20, maybe even 10 years ago you would have seen very few S30-series Zs wearing factory-style ZG 'Overfenders', but now there are so many that the kick-back against them has already started. Some of the copies are pitifully bad and we can often see them mounted incorrectly, even on the wrong sides of the car...
However, I believe 'period correct' modifications - done with good taste - will endure, hence the knowing reference points on something like a Tuthill or Singer 911 and the classic 'look' of a modified Escort or Mini.
Seems to me that the majority of people lusting after the likes of the 'Fugu Z' know next to nothing about the roots of the looks they are aping. The owner of 'Liberty Walk' on the other hand certainly does, but he's giving his own take on factory homologated race parts and that probably sails way over a lot of heads.
My hunch is that modern styling kits such as those from 'Pandem'/'Liberty Walk'/'Star Garage' and their ilk will age rather quickly as they are copied and, in turn, the copies are copied and adapted. 20, maybe even 10 years ago you would have seen very few S30-series Zs wearing factory-style ZG 'Overfenders', but now there are so many that the kick-back against them has already started. Some of the copies are pitifully bad and we can often see them mounted incorrectly, even on the wrong sides of the car...
However, I believe 'period correct' modifications - done with good taste - will endure, hence the knowing reference points on something like a Tuthill or Singer 911 and the classic 'look' of a modified Escort or Mini.
Seems to me that the majority of people lusting after the likes of the 'Fugu Z' know next to nothing about the roots of the looks they are aping. The owner of 'Liberty Walk' on the other hand certainly does, but he's giving his own take on factory homologated race parts and that probably sails way over a lot of heads.
All valid points for sure, but as I’m sure lots of people will agree with, it’s not all about resale value. Most projects end up costing more than they’re worth. But if it’s the right car for the right person then who cares what anyone else thinks?
I’m not too sure much will be copied here in the UK simply due to the rarity of the cars themselves. The cars are cost-prohibitive to most of those folks who would build a car with OTT bodykits, air suspension etc, so I think at least this side of the pond, there will always be an interest or following in this path. Not a big one though, and that stands true for almost anything thats custom - you eliminate a large number of folk by doing something they wouldn’t want.
I’m not one to follow fashion anyway (just ask my friends! Haha) so if the look isn’t in fashion but I still love it then I don’t see an issue myself.
All that said, I don’t have a perfect picture of my end goal because I think that gets more clarity as the project progresses. Initially, it’s just an idea that materialises and shapes over time.
Albrecht
Well-Known Forum User
Resale 'value' is a moveable feast anyway. I was - between the lines - alluding to something else. I think anybody who comes to the S30-series Z without knowing too much about them - especially if their interest has been piqued by a car from the 'Fast & Furious' franchise - would be well advised to look a bit more deeply into their 53+ years of history, including how they have been modified over the years.
Reason being that whilst they are planning/building their dream car, they might find their tastes changing even before it is finished. A good modified car is a combination of mechanicals and aesthetics that need to work together as a complete, complimentary, package. I see many cars - including a couple that have been 'recommended' on this thread - which appear to have been built by putting parts together which don't really work as a whole. It's almost like they took a metaphorical shopping trolley and rolled it through the internet, chucking parts in as they went. Such cars seem to come onto the market relatively soon after being built...
I've been around the S30-series Z as an owner for around 30 years (and longer than that having first taken a proper interest in them in Japan) and I'm still learning, but I keep coming back to the 'period modified'/'period sympathetic' theme that seems to work so well. I wonder if, rather than 'Restomod' (a fairly rubbery term anyway) we are advising somebody who really wants a 'Hybrid' (ie, drivetrain swapped) car which is probably something else? An RB-engined S30-series Z certainly seems to be something a little more than a 'Restomod' to my mind.
Also valid. I wasn’t entirely comfortable with using “Restomod” to describe the desired outcome when I started, but I struggled to find a more suitable, simple description so just went with it. It seemed a phrase that may help guide others to understand what id like or at least get them in the ballpark.
If im to get entirely granular, here is what id say Im trying to achieve:
Wider arches
Wider wheels
Rear spoiler/lip
Half roll cage in rear
Bucket seats (eg Bride or similar)
Modest power output (240-300bhp) - don’t *think* this is entirely possible with an L-series engine (not without huge money) but could be persuaded to stick with one and take it as far as it could sensibly go.
Good sound / exhaust
Simple engine bay - a “clean” look
Slightly lower suspension.
Good paint, dash, steering wheel etc.
Perhaps it’s not as insane as a Greddy Fugu Z bodykit or Pandem, but I’m not 100% fixed on a vision yet.
If im to get entirely granular, here is what id say Im trying to achieve:
Wider arches
Wider wheels
Rear spoiler/lip
Half roll cage in rear
Bucket seats (eg Bride or similar)
Modest power output (240-300bhp) - don’t *think* this is entirely possible with an L-series engine (not without huge money) but could be persuaded to stick with one and take it as far as it could sensibly go.
Good sound / exhaust
Simple engine bay - a “clean” look
Slightly lower suspension.
Good paint, dash, steering wheel etc.
Perhaps it’s not as insane as a Greddy Fugu Z bodykit or Pandem, but I’m not 100% fixed on a vision yet.
Somewhere half way in between would be the MZR Wide body commission:
Yep! Smart, that is.
'I see many cars - including a couple that have been 'recommended' on this thread - which appear to have been built by putting parts together which don't really work as a whole.'
If you are referring to the ones I posted-up they were just examples not recommendations.
If you are referring to the ones I posted-up they were just examples not recommendations.
If you are looking for fat rims. JDM royalty...
Watanabe R Type Wheels (15"x10.5) To Fit Datsun 240z - RRP £3,350 | eBay
Fits Datsun 240z, 260z and 280z with flares - and other cars.
www.ebay.co.uk
datsfun
Club Member
Just buy a samuri - ticks all boxes
Alphabettispaghetti
Club Member
theres a P1 here, its a couple of quid though.
Used 2014 McLaren P1 V8 £1,300,000 1,500 miles MSO Graphite Grey | Tom Hartley
Buy a used 2014 MSO Graphite Grey McLaren P1 V8 with 1,500 miles on the clock for £1,300,000 from Tom Hartley.
Ian Patmore
Well-Known Forum User
A lot of talk pointing to UK RHD S30's being rusty, true, some are, but there is a large percentage that have gone through that phase and been retstored (or even some with no welding/panel/bodywork at all)....LHD do rust as well. Just because its LHD doesn't mean the body isn't hiding a load of other horrors.
Plenty of great original UK market cars in the UK, and some are on this forum...
Balance.
Plenty of great original UK market cars in the UK, and some are on this forum...
Balance.
Nigel Brook
Well-Known Forum User
You can have my "rally' prepared rolling shell for £14000. NO welding required. This was done prior to it being parked up. (health reasons)
Scooby P1theres a P1 here, its a couple of quid though.
Used 2014 McLaren P1 V8 £1,300,000 1,500 miles MSO Graphite Grey | Tom Hartley
Buy a used 2014 MSO Graphite Grey McLaren P1 V8 with 1,500 miles on the clock for £1,300,000 from Tom Hartley.www.tomhartley.com
Hi Nigel, I sometimes think about your 'car' and if you still had it.
Nicho17
Club Member
ZFarm Duncan Pearcy is your man.Hey folks,
I’ve been lurking and reading, and speaking to some of you for the last few months with an aim to understand if my current plans could become a reality.
I’d really love to end up with an S30 “restomod” - something along the lines of the “Fugu Z” from the movies. It would have to be RHD and road legal for UK use.
Now I’m of the opinion that the most cost-efficient way of achieving this is by buying a 260/280z instead of the more expensive 240Z. I’m not too concerned over the extra weight and I think I’ve read that the chassis rails on the 280 are thicker/stronger?
There’s a possibility that someone may have already started a project like this which may save some time/money overall, I guess. (If you know of any please do let me know)
My questions are:
- What would you expect a base car for this to cost? I’d hope I could save some money here as I wouldn’t need the bodywork/paint to be perfect as it’d need redoing anyway..?
- Is a LHD to RHD conversion a better option (US import?) to get a car with less rust? How much does this conversion cost, roughly, and are parts available?
- Do any companies import cars from the US in the same way that many do from Japan? I’m not sure I’d be confident enough trying to do it myself, but it does appear that most cars and parts would come from the US as there are few available here in the UK.
- Have any of you done this already, and can you share your experience / advice / any links to threads or companies you used? Please also share some photos if you can!
It’s quite possible that I cannot achieve my end goals with the budget I have, but I’d like to try and estimate an initial target cost so I can make an informed decision. I’m well aware that costs can spiral, but if I’m not even in the right ballpark then I’ll have to give up on the idea and find an alternative car/project.
Thanks