| I started my project a couple of years ago. I didn’t think it would take me this long to get this car on the road again! (Remember to double or triple your time and money estimate for Z car projects!) It is going to take some more time, but I’m getting more excited now that it is coming together again. This is a very short version of a long story. Still a long post…… I wanted a project car to work on and make into a weekend toy/driver. I had done a couple of 240Zs before but wanted more power with an original motor. My wife wanted something convertible. I didn’t want to do a Corvette because they are everywhere. We settled on a 300ZX with the power capability of the built VGTT for me and t-tops for her. I purchased this 1991 TT in 1/2005. It has always been a California car so there was no rust, had some minor body damage, good interior and a blown motor due to bad connector rod bearing. This is what it looked like the day I towed it home and put it in the garage. 
Originally, I had planned on just rebuilding/upgrading the engine, suspension, brakes and repairing the body damage. I’d been watching too much “Overhaulin” and decided I’d overhaul my own. I also became interested in Sport Compact Car’s 300ZX project car info and the stuff Mike Kojima had done. This led to reading about the Ultimate Street Car Challenge and I thought I’d like to have a street car capable of competing and winning. ( I mean if a 350Z can……….they need to see the real Z!) The concept for the car is to look like an updated 99 on growth harmones/steroids. I don’t have a concept rendering because I can’t draw for squat and I can’t afford Chip! My wife wanted the wide body and a 99 wing. These are the only things she has really insisted on! I had a guy who I wanted to do the metal fabrication on the wide body. He had an opening shortly after I bought the car so I had to work with his schedule. This is what the car looked like when I got it back from him with the stock fascia fitted. He obviously doesn’t do finish body work – this would have to wait for the final body and paint guy. I wish I would have had the roll bar installed at this time also but I didn’t!!!! 
The combination of Overhaulin and the USCC competition has turned out to be a very time consuming and difficult goal I’ve gotten myself into. I won’t mention money – never, never add up receipts!
This is what the car looked like after deconstruction and ready to go to the body shop. I had reinstalled the suspension and steering so I had a rolling chassis for towing and the body and paint shop needed to be able to move it around. All the unibody subframe voids and rocker panels have been foam filled with Handi Foam two part structural urethane foam. All electrical harnesses and fluid tubing is removed. I had reshot 3M body schutz undercoating on the bottom of car. Glass shop removed the glass front, rear and quarters at the body shop. I removed/dismantled the doors, glass and t-tops right before paint since they needed them on for the finish body work. 
This is what the car looked like when I brought it back home after the finish body and paint work. There is absolutely nothing on it except rolling suspension. 
I haven’t posted a lot about this project because there didn’t seem to be too much of a point. It was mostly tearing a car apart that really only needed an engine and some TLC. I didn’t want to publicly show what an idiot I might be for attempting this! But, I’m going to start putting some really cool stuff on this car! I want to be able to post some pictures as parts go on and it will make more sense to some of you who may have bothered to read this post. We have some truly exceptional vendors who support this community! I have purchased parts from all of them! They have been a wealth of knowledge and help. Their patience dealing with me and my sometimes very limited knowledge has been very helpful! I’ll give credit when I post pictures of the “stuff” going back on the car. I’ll try not to bore some of the regulars, so I won’t be posting unless it seems like post worthy good, cool, sick “stuff”. This is what the car looks like now. The doors and fenders are hung more for safe storage than final fit. The fuel tank has been re-installed with new pump and hoses. I know my picture taking skills suck but these aren’t for show. These are just to provide a visual of the work and progress. I don’t want Kenny to pitch a fit about the wide body yet. My wife loves it and she hasn’t seen it all back together yet either. (Her opinion is really all I worry about since she lives with me!) 
The next post should show the rear suspension going back in. Might be a few weeks but I can’t wait. Kuah/SPL and Coz/Concept Z have supplied some advice and goodies that I think you’ll find very impressive.
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Progress report on my slow project car progress - 
