Filed under: 370z,Spy Shots
by Forbes @ 12:04 pm on October 10, 2008
Infiniti has finally wised up and realized that to really compete with the BMW 3-series that they needed to make a convertible of the popular G37 coupe. This model will have all the same features of the standard G37 with the addition (or subtraction depending on how you look at it) of a retractible hard top.
The new convertible will be available sometime in early spring and pre-orders are being taken as I write this. If this is your must have car I suggest getting your name in early if you don’t want to wait like the 335i owners had to. Good luck!
With the unveiling of the 370z right aound the corner, at the LA auto show in November, there are bound to be more and more pictures taken of the test cars to hype it up before the release. Here are the latest and greatest:
(click to open larger)
The specs are not fully disclosed yet but since Nissan will be aiming the 370z at the Porsche Cayman we need to expect some pretty large platform changes. The engine will be the 3.7 liter VQ variant that is currently in the Infiniti G37, although there may be a few tweaks here and there to differentiate the two power plants. The wheel base will also be slightly shorter coming in around 100 inches.
The biggest improvement in many peoples eyes over the outgoing 350z will be a dramitic reduction in weight. The outgoing car weighs somewhere north of 3,500 pounds while the new 370z is aiming for under 3,200. Only time will tell what the production cars will add up to. We can’t wait to get our hands on one of these beasts and put it through it’s paces.
As I see more info on the 370z I will post it here first thing. Don’t be a stranger to ZCarBlog.com!
Z Car Garage is once again in the spotlight with a beautifully restored 240z. In the November issue of Sport Compact Car there is an article titled “Zip Code” featuring Kurt Ikerd’s Z. Throughout the five page spread is a well done write up and some amazing photos taken by the infamous E. John Thawley III. This issue is worth buying for this article alone.
Within the last week this car is beginning a new phase in it’s life. The wheels have been changed and the entire drive train has been removed. Kurt and the entire Z Car Garage crew has huge plans for this car in the near future so stay tuned right here as I will be documenting the entire rebuild. All I have to say is wow.
Note: These photos are just a few that I have taken this year, THEY ARE NOT FROM THE ARTICLE. John Thawley’s are much nicer. ENJOY
In less than two weeks the American Le Mans series storms into Laguna Seca yet again to provide some of the best wheel to wheel racing mankind has ever seen. Seriously. This ALMS events promises to be even more special than years past because a Z-car corral will take place on Saturday! All Zs (new and old) and Gs, 510s, Roadsters, and GT-Rs are welcome to attend. The Saturday day and corral pass are available on the Z.O.N.C. website for purchase.
Come out and join us for a great weekend in Monterey at Laguna Seca and bring your Z!!
Z.O.N.C. (Club Info, Purchase Tickets and Corral Passes)
I can’t believe it’s that time of year again!! The Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS) is taking place this Sunday, Oct. 12th at Hidden Valley Park in Irvine, CA. This is the ultimate show for you if you like all things vintage Japanese or true JDM.
There are huge sponsorship deals at the event this year from most of the OEM car companies, all sorts of media groups, and a large group of aftermarket supporters from around the globe (a complete list is on the JCCS website.) Most of the sponsors will have booths set up so expect free gift bags, entertainment of all sorts, and stickers galore!
In 2007 Mazda brought out an entire trailer loaded with race cars and even a rare Mazda Cosmo, of which there are only few in the world. They are a major sponsor again, along with Toyota, this year so expect some great things from both manufacturers.
The cars at the event are of the utmost quality and most everyone that attends is of the same caliber. Not only does this event show off some of the best original Japanese classic cars but it also offers the latest and greatest in innovations and customization that the aftermarket has to offer. Individuals and shops alike bring out their latest and greatest every year to be unveiled to the world. One of the best parts about JCCS is the approachability of all who attend. For example, if you see Pete Brock, of Datsun BRE fame, walking around the grounds make sure you walk up to him and say hi. Most “celebrities” here are happy to talk with anyone who shares the same passion for cars that they do.
Check out the video below for some footage of last year’s event and make sure to visit the Japanese Classic Car Show website for all the official updates as well as an awards, vendor, and sponsor list. The JCCS site also has an amazing gallery of years past where I borrowed most of these pictures from.
This event is a MUST ATTEND. If you have the weekend off we hope to see you there. Feel free to stop myself or any of the Z Car Garage people to say hi or talk cars. Long Live the Z and JCCS.
Look for an update right here next week when we return with our original pictures and a full event report.
