Could it be? Is Steve’s Nissan 350Z finally ready to hit the street again? Once the suspension is replaced and the bonnet replaced?
| Driver's Log | |
|---|---|
| Date acquired: | August 2011 |
| Total kilometres: | 86,629 |
| Kilometres this month: | 0 |
| Costs this month: | $2178 |
| L/100km this month: | N/A |
If you’ve been following the drama that is my 350Z you’ll remember that last month I sent her to Lap57 for some serious maintenance. For a time it felt like nothing I could do would have the car ready for an on-track thrash. It had a loose front left wheel, which I later learned was from a bushing that had finally given up. I imagined it leaping from the car in joy and rolling away, only to settle in a soft pile of sand, next to possibly a large puddle where it would live out the end of its days. Fortunately it did not remove itself forcefully from my car. It merely ripped.
As most of you know the vehicle had numerous parts damaged by its previous owner and it was subsequently rebuilt after a front end smash. After driving the car for two years, I was unable to re-register the car due to the wheelbase being off by 13mm. Now it seems that gap is fixed after replacing both lower control arms and their bushings, and hopefully I’ll finally be able to reregister it.
As I write this I have yet to receive my car back from Lap57. All the work I had asked for was finished. Fans replaced, belts tightened, suspension parts replaced, aesthetic work completed. They did it all within days. I’m always happy when I come back from there, even if my wallet isn’t!
However, a miscommunication on my part led to the hood being painted the wrong colour. matched perfectly to the body. It’s a job that would probably have taken the painter hours and one that he would have been very proud of. It definitely looked beautiful when I went to collect the car, but it was not the colour I wanted. As much as it hurt me to ask them to repaint it, I wanted it black. So it must be, so it shall be done, and I have to wait a few more days for it.
Thankfully the timing isn’t too bad, as I have also had word that my KW Clubsports have finally arrived at the company from which I ordered them. I will be able to drive the Nissan from Lap57 to them, to replace my suspension after waiting since October. Let’s just say some companies aren’t as good as others.
I leave you with photos of before and during; the after will come once I have installed my suspension. There are bright times on the horizon. I might actually get to drive the car on a track some time this year.
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