My son’s Z31

Edited February 5Feb 5 by Diseazd

Well, technically that was the first design draft about 8 years ago. This was the final render and the final result. Mine is a 1986 but with 1987-89 front fenders, hood, bumper and head lights. The 86 had the same front end and tail lights as the 84-85 but they changed the rear fenders/quarters. Oddly, the 50th AE turbo cars also had the same front fenders as the 87-89 but used fender flares to widen the rear of the car. Then in 87-89, they went back to the wider front fenders but also changed the rear fenders, bumpers, hood, tail lights, headlights, spoiler and some other minor details.

I personally like this look best as it combines my favorite elements of both the Zenki and Kouki (early and late) versions. This car also has a lot of custom body work. The US side markers, antenna, side trim, bullnose strip have all been shaved. And the rear bumper was cut into 7 pieces, sectioned, shortened and shaved 4in.

Here are the stories I wrote of my entire build if you want more photos.

https://www.speedhunters.com/2021/04/a-z432-inspired-z31-restomod/

https://www.speedhunters.com/2021/05/project-z31-432-getting-technical/

https://www.speedhunters.com/2021/11/project-z31-432r-the-long-road-to-completion/

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Edited February 6Feb 6 by five&dime

Wow, a real beauty, I can tell you put a lot of heart into this project.
But is the color perhaps from the 240Z palette?
What you’re describing is exactly what makes things difficult for me later on, because it turns out that many cars have various parts chosen according to the owners’ preferences, and it’s easy to get lost in all that. So, thanks for breaking down what’s what.

PS
I managed to determine that the hood scoop was functional, and was factory-fitted only on turbo models from 1984 and 1985, as well as on facelift 86+ JDM versions with the 2.0L turbo.

On 2/5/2026 at 10:32 PM, damusto said:

were they factory-installed on the 300ZX Z31 and were they functional?
Was it only in the turbo version? or regionally?

In europe these z31 turbo had original the scoop on the hood! Functional.. i don't know for sure but i think they were functional.

Non turbo had no scoop but Xenon zcar gives the posibility haha..

XenonZcar - Z31 Hood Scoop Install

For your pictures .. the scoop was a original part on the turbo, for every market for as far i can see.

Thanks, that’s a really interesting site.
I have to admit something: visually I’ve always liked the third-gen Camaro, but technically not so much. The Z31, on the other hand, somehow completely passed me by, and it’s a bit similar visually - very much that classic wedge shape I like so much. And then there are all those quirky details: the perpetually half-frozen pop-up headlights, the hi-fi integrated into the dashboard, and now I’m seeing it even has a digital instrument cluster screaming 80's. I’m starting to wonder what it’s like to live with one like that day to day - are they hard to maintain? I’m getting tempted to buy one, although here in Poland it’s close to impossible to find.

Okay, I know it's not much, just rough sketches, but I had a great day at the easel today. And I can see on my desk the almost finished Uploading Attachment...Uploading Attachment...ink effects. Once it dries, I'll straighten the paper, scan it, and prepare a prototype of the mug. Fingers crossed, I think it will turn out great.

The front right wheel seems out of balance? (first pic). And a 300zx z31 has 2 small end pipes as a exhaust! (If you want original on the Mugs..)

I like the second pic ! All good! (Non original wheels..)

Personally i drove a 300zx z31 for a few years and, although not my favorit z.. it drove EXCELLENT!! It had 170000 km on it but drove like a new car.

Maintenance can be a challenge these days because of the service parts? Most times when i buy a very old car i investigate first prices of parts and theire availability! Always buy parts of it that are in perfect condition even when not needed at that moment it's a good thing to have because you can always sell them or exchange them for the part you one day will need.

I remember it was SO easy to just step into your own cellar ful with parts and service the 240z i sold last year.. maybe one day i buy another.. never say never! ☺️

Thanks for the info. I expected that because I have some experience. My wife's RC is such a rare car that it's serviced like a '60s Ferrari. It's a shame it doesn't have a V12 orchestra, although we still like it a lot. The front wheel is something I struggled with for quite a while because I wanted to achieve a counter-steering effect like with a power slide, and I didn't have a proper photo. I think I finally succeeded. The cup design in the software looks like this, and I'm ordering a prototype. It'll probably be here on Wednesday, but I think it will be great. What do you think, is the design a success?

Edited February 8Feb 8 by damusto

We'll it looks good but as a "original" liking guy.. This car if far from it,. I can imagine that people that want those mugs want a perfect original car on them as they where just out of the factory, i know i would..

But that's only my honest opinion.

Thanks for that. That’s why I’m bringing it up here. What, for you, is the biggest departure from the original?

Edited February 9Feb 9 by damusto

Hihi, where do i start..

The rims (wheels) not original

The lowering of the car

The wheelhousings (I think.. they look to big?)

The exhaust is not original as the original has 2 small pipes (horizontal).

The 300zx also never had a shade in the front window..

And the extra rear lights (in between part) as you mentioned yourself.

What i don't like about the USA version against the EU, is the difference in headlight figuration, euro has one unit where the US has a divider in it. And further more those rediculous around/side red lights.. it's NOT A TRUCK! 🙊)

Maybe more but i think for this moment enough..

Anyway it's a nice cup with nice pics but not for me. (I don't buy this kind of stuff..)

On 2/3/2026 at 3:30 PM, damusto said:

Hey everyone — I’m creating an original sumi-e (ink brush) illustration of the ZX300 and I want it to feel instantly correct to people who actually know the car — not “close enough” from random Google shots.

I’d love your input on what makes an z31 look right:

• Most iconic angle: front 3/4, rear 3/4, pure side profile, cockpit, engine bay?

• Must-have cues: headlights/hood line, bumper shapes, tail lights, trunk line, mirrors, stance, wheel style, interior details (anything that screams “z31”).

• Best factory looks: favorite OEM colors + wheel combos (and what to avoid).

• Common mistakes in drawings: proportions, ride height, wrong bumper, wrong wheels, weird greenhouse, etc.

If you’re comfortable, feel free to drop your own photos (even phone pics are fine). I’ll use them only as reference for proportions/details, not as a direct trace.
Please share photos only if you’re OK with them being used as reference for a commercial artwork later (prints/mugs/tees). Happy to credit your username when I post the finished piece, and I can send a small thank-you perk to contributors once the artwork is done.

I’ll post a first sketch here soon and iterate based on your feedback. Thanks — I’d rather get the z31 “feel” right than produce another generic drawing, especially in times when we are flooded with so much AI slop.

I'll add right away that although I really like the style of cars from the 80s, which I was born in by the way, I have a big problem with capturing an attractive shot of this particular model. I have a concept in mind with a Shiro Special 300ZX version, but I don't know if it won't be too far off.

I asked about it in the first post as you can see here. And I asked because the vast majority of cars I saw were modified. Anyway, I can change it, although it is definitely more difficult now. I can paint the fragments and assemble it in digital form because I already have a scan. But since almost all owners lower the suspension and change the rims anyway, it probably doesn't make sense. Besides, the OEM rims aren't that great. The exhaust fine; I can change to dual tips. I chose the taillight option I liked best, and it seems unique to this model. I don't know, I guess I'll see if there's any interest. I don't remember any other car with a rear filled with lights like this. I'll get my hands on the prototype tomorrow and probably decide what to do next. So far, I only have one review, and I was hoping for more feedback. So I could at least average it out.