You never forget your first real project car — especially when it bites back. For Blair (@uncertified_tank_Mechanic), that car was a yellow 1990 Nissan 300ZX 2+0. Bought off Kijiji at 18, no inspections, no second thoughts — just a dream finally in reach.
"I’d been lurking Z32 listings for years," he tells us. "This one popped up and I jumped. Too fast, maybe — but no regrets." A Canadian car that had floated around southern Ontario before landing in his driveway, the Z was love at first sight. Even if, under the surface, it had... issues.
Why the Z32?
Because it’s a techy '90s spaceship with Diablo DNA and T-tops. Blair was hooked on the Z32’s wedgey stance, the cockpit layout with its driver-focused pods, and that unmistakable silhouette slammed just right. “It always looked like it was moving, even standing still.”
And despite the split opinions on the car’s onboard wizardry, he was in. “I liked the idea of learning it, fixing it, mastering it.” Respect.
Build Direction: JGTC Dreams, Garage Budget
The vision? Zexel R33 JGTC vibes — white livery, thick five-spokes, raw presence. But make it Z32. So when he spotted @gtr33n’s build rocking a set of Icons Reimagined LMGT1s, the puzzle clicked.
“I was already hunting OG LMGT1s but couldn’t justify auction prices. Then I found Icons — same soul, modern specs, and Markus was incredible to deal with.”
The Setup
Engine: VG30DE, NA, mostly stock (for now).
Suspension: Tein Flex Z coilovers.
Wheels: Icons Reimagined LMGT1-inspired 18x10 +20, wrapped in 265/35R18 Firehawk Indy 500s.
Interior / Exterior: Pure Z32 — stock, with potential.
Usage: Daily-driven, road-tripped, camped-in. Over 3500km to Georgia last year, because why not?
Pain Points? All of Them.
The rear half of the car was rotten. Trunk. Rockers. Fuel tank gone. Brake lines toast. Diff rebuilt. Injectors replaced. Driveshaft swapped. “Nothing was easy,” he laughs. “But it’s my lemon and I love it.”
Fabrication? DIY. Motivation? Friends, family, and sheer stubbornness. Blair built this car on a college budget with late-night wrenching and moral support. “Without my people, this thing would’ve been scrapped long ago.”
Rare Bits?
None yet — but he's hunting. OEM 300ZX phone, roof rack, oddball catalog goodies. The nerdier the better.
What’s Next?
Bodywork and paint — a rework of Nissan’s Yellow Pearlglow. “Just enough to make it look finished, but still OEM-ish.” After that? A manual swap and a single turbo setup. “I want to give the VG the send-off it deserves.”
Shoutouts
“To my parents and my crew — you know who you are. Every busted knuckle, every ‘why are you still working on that thing’ — I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
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This is what Icons Reimagined lives for. A kid with a dream, a rough Z, and enough grit to bring both back to life. Respect, Blair. Built, not bought.