AndrewG 3,880 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) So after 21 years of ownership the next stage of my journey with the Z has have finally started when the car was stripped down and shipped off for complete glass out re-spray at the Club's favourite bodyshop. The garage feels *very* empty! Later in the year the car will undergo the final stage of significant development in my ownership with the "bolt-on" engine upgrades I have been collecting together over time. More about that later on. My goal is for the car is to be OEM+ in the sense that the modifications and enhancements made to the car have always been carried out with the overriding aim of preserving as much as possible of the original character and identity of one of the best sports cars to come out of Japan. I like to think that the car will look and drive the way the engineers at Nissan given free rein could have built the car without production constraints getting in the way. Built in November '93, 1547 was the penultimate RHD car built for the UK market out of a total of 1548 cars recorded in Nissan's FAST database. It may well be the last as so far I have found no record of 1548 being imported and registered in the UK. I bought the car back in March '98 from Howards Nissan in Weston-super-Mare. The car was first registered in May '94 and owned by Nissan UK. My journey with 1547 started with this advert in Auto Trader and I became the second owner. Fast-forwarding to the present, I took this picture as a memento when I last took her out for a blast back on a sunny day back in February this year. The photo is deceptive as to the condition close up. Unfortunately after 25 years there are numerous chips, scratches, shopping trolley dings and poor re-sprays (most of which happened before I bought the car from Nissan). I know how the car will end up looking as the bodyshop has also repainted several other well know cars in the Club to an exceptionally high standard. Can't wait! Loading up. I plan to update this journal with the details of the modifications I have made over the years to 1547 with pictures, descriptions and my personal observations of the results of making those changes. I will also include references to the resources and companies I have used to help me make decisions on what to do with the "bolt-on" engine upgrades planned for later on this year. Edited January 19 by AndrewG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewG 3,880 Posted May 5, 2019 Author Share Posted May 5, 2019 The bodyshop has posted on FB lots of pictures showing the progress made to date with the re-spray. These are just a selection. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris300 611 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 Hi Andrew. Great post, thanks for the updates. Glad you’ve gone for a full glass out respray, I’d thought previously you had said it was just going to be a blow over. I can’t wait to see how it comes out. :thumbsup: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
craig 1,151 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 a few hard to reach to places that could do with a good clean while you they are accessible there Andrew ;) will be nice to see in the summer :thumbup1: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bird 860 Posted May 5, 2019 Share Posted May 5, 2019 (edited) Nice one Andrew. I wonder what number my old UK Z was. Is it the chassis number you'd need or is there a way to find out from the reg? Edit: found an old logbook. Vin is Jn10rgz32u0010863 Edited May 6, 2019 by bird Corrected vin number Quote Membership No 0780 INSURANCE GOOFA Datascan, Conzult, ECUTalk and a few others I have all the rare bits you can't find :tongue::tongue: Link to post Share on other sites
Funkysi 4,653 Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 Nice thread! I'm up that way in a few weeks, I'll let you know what date and pop in on it. I think Joel has that day off too, the 14th, maybe we could all grab lunch at the pub nearby. Quote Sold 10/10/19 [sIGPIC][/sIGPIC] Link to post Share on other sites
Gaz 300 7,321 Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 Great thread to follow.:thumbup1: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardS 4,496 Posted May 6, 2019 Share Posted May 6, 2019 Nice thread Andrew - and can't wait to see the finished article...:clover::thumbup: Quote I have something to say............ It's better to burn out than to fade away..... :tt2: Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewG 3,880 Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 (edited) Popped over to the bodyshop yesterday to see the progress with 1547. Both doors are now off to get the best possible prep before painting. It is much easier to see defects when the doors are horizontal and catch the light. All the glass is now off the car. The stock "stone guard" finish is being removed which is a somewhat time consuming on the front and rear bumpers, but the end result will be worth it. The bodyshop was very busy yesterday so the car was moved outside for me to take a few pictures. Nice to see the car again. Edited May 15, 2019 by AndrewG Spelling Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gaz 300 7,321 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 These guys are really stripping the Z back to its main body shell. Its going to be factory fresh again Andrew and when its done you wont want to take it out of the garage. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewG 3,880 Posted May 15, 2019 Author Share Posted May 15, 2019 I've no plans to "preserve in aspic" - the car will be used and enjoyed as before. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joely P 3,698 Posted May 15, 2019 Share Posted May 15, 2019 Coty! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardS 4,496 Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 Popped over to the bodyshop yesterday to see the progress with 1547. Both doors are now off to get the best possible prep before painting. It is much easier to see defects when the doors are horizontal and catch the light. All the glass is now off the car. The stock "stone guard" finish is being removed which is a somewhat time consuming on the front and rear bumpers, but the end result will be worth it. The bodyshop was very busy yesterday so the car was moved outside for me to take a few pictures. Nice to see the car again. So you have succumbed to the smooth finish then.....:wink: Quote I have something to say............ It's better to burn out than to fade away..... :tt2: Link to post Share on other sites
RichardS 4,496 Posted May 16, 2019 Share Posted May 16, 2019 Coty! ….And definitely... Can't wait to see it complete!! Quote I have something to say............ It's better to burn out than to fade away..... :tt2: Link to post Share on other sites
sebZman 30 Posted May 18, 2019 Share Posted May 18, 2019 good job ;) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
nickz32 910 Posted May 19, 2019 Share Posted May 19, 2019 Subscribed. Looking forward to seeing the finished results Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewG 3,880 Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 (edited) The bodyshop has posted another update on FB with more pictures showing progress with the re-spray. Pretty much done with getting the primer coat on (bumpers excepted). Exciting stuff! These are just a selection. Edited June 2, 2019 by AndrewG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gaz 300 7,321 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Coming along nicely Andrew its going to be just awesome. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chris300 611 Posted June 2, 2019 Share Posted June 2, 2019 Looking good Andrew. Are you going for the black roof bar or keeping it blue? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewG 3,880 Posted June 2, 2019 Author Share Posted June 2, 2019 Looking good Andrew. Are you going for the black roof bar or keeping it blue? Keeping them blue Chris. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RichardS 4,496 Posted June 3, 2019 Share Posted June 3, 2019 Looking great Andrew....:thumbup: Quote I have something to say............ It's better to burn out than to fade away..... :tt2: Link to post Share on other sites
bigh 661 Posted June 4, 2019 Share Posted June 4, 2019 Nice to see this moving forward Andrew. Can't wait to see it in the 'flesh' :thumbup: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AndrewG 3,880 Posted June 4, 2019 Author Share Posted June 4, 2019 (edited) Just had a call from the bodyshop - Blue paint going on this week and all being well car should be ready to come home in two weeks time! Edited June 4, 2019 by AndrewG Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Joely P 3,698 Posted June 5, 2019 Share Posted June 5, 2019 Popped up to have a look Andrew, it looks good in the new colour. A very brave choice though, the first Z to host the colour Cocoa Dust Pearl: Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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