To be honest, this feature has had me sitting at my keyboard struggling to find words to type out. They say that a picture is worth a thousand words, and with the maestro, Connor Surdi, behind the camera for this one, I feel that these words are nothing but a distraction. From a photographer’s standpoint, this is one of those shoots that rarely comes around, the location, the subject, the weather, it all just comes together and the images that are produced are just pure art. It’s rare to have such a visually beautiful feature to share on S:N, so please sit back and enjoy the imagery.
It helps that the subject of these stunning images is also something that draws your attention. When it comes to the Japanese tuner-style that we’re all so familiar with, this Z33 owned by Nezu Kenichi is about as text-book as it gets. A lot of people try and label cars with a certain style, but to me this Z is just what the Japanese car culture is about; custom, aggressive, and in yer face.
Ridiculous wide-body, slammed to the floor, spot-on fitment, crazy wheels, and custom parts everywhere including a Z34 face-lift, this Fairlady has all of her bases covered, and in no half measures either. We try and bring the goods from Japan over here at S:N, and we hope we deliver the goods to y’all. I know that a few sites and people have come under some heat from certain people about, “not really getting what Japan is about, yet featuring lots of Japanese content.” Now, from this author at least, I’m never claiming to be any sort of “expert” on the Japanese car culture. I’ve looked at it for a long time from a distance, and have done my best to study and understand their culture. I’m one of those that follows the learn it, live it, embrace it mentalities. I love a lot of different aspects about the Japanese culture, and Japanese car culture, and have done my best to become a good student. If anything, these features represent appreciation more than anything else. Now that’s just coming from me, but maybe some people will read that before casting stones.
All right, so back to the car and the absolutely amazing pictures (seriously, look at them). We’ve featured plenty of Z33s here on S:N, but this one definitely stands out. This car is far more than a set of coilovers and some aggressive wheels. Some people constitute those two, simple modifications as “builds” but they aren’t fooling me, or anyone else who has actually built a car. Creating a total package is always the aim, a car build that flows well in its entirety. This Z is certainly in yer face, but it’s much more than just some wild aero-parts stuck onto the car with no rhyme or reason. The Z has a trick air-suspension to get the car on the deck, which is pretty rare to see on Zs as static, coilover suspensions still reign supreme in that camp. To match the aggressive looks, this Z also has a Vortech supercharger bolted to the VQ35 to ensure that this car has some bite to back up its bark.
Dominating the exterior is of course the Do-Luck body kit with custom Star Dast wide-fenders with the rivets still left exposed a-la Rocket Bunny. Super-aggressive, wide fenders have certainly become a hot commodity as of late, but I’m certainly not complaining. I’ve always said, wider is better! Of course, this wide-body needed to be customized to accept the face-lifted Z34 front end conversion and matching Do-Luck Z34 front bumper. It certainly makes for a unique look, but one that could almost go unnoticed since it’s been executed so well.
The chassis sits over a custom Star Dast air suspension system, complete with hard lines for the tank setup which always improves a trunk setup. This allows the Z33 to safely lay its bumpers on the ground while it’s parked, and those wide-fenders to sit right on the lips of the super-aggressive Work Gnosis wheels. Z33s are notorious for being able to swallow some pretty ridiculous wheel setups, and Kenichi-san’s Z doesn’t disappoint. The Gnosis HS202s come in at 19×10.5 -28 in the front and 19×11 -46 in the rear resulting in some serious lippage all around. The wheels have been finished in a custom graphite face with white lips which goes well with the rest of the car.
The VQ35de motor under the hood has been worked over as well to give this Z33 some go to back up its aggressive looks. First, a Vortech supercharger was added to provide some additional boost in the literal sense. For me though, the two, most trick pieces are the exhaust headers and exhaust. Both items were crafted by Star Dast and are made completely out of titanium. That is just impressive, both from a design standpoint and baller-factor standpoint. It takes some serious skill, and seriously deep pockets to craft an exhaust entirely out of titanium. Just another cool feature about this stunning car.
Kenichi-san assures us that he is far from done with his Z33, and will keep progressing it till he sees it as one of the best Z33s in the world. He’s certainly off to a great start so far. Whether you’re a fan of more simple and subtle cars, or like over-the-top creations such as this Z33, it’s hard not to appreciate the work that’s gone into it. If there is one thing to take away from the Japanese car culture that, I think we all can agree, is worthwhile is that you’re going to have put some work in. Get in there, get your hands dirty, and know that for the most part, nothing is going to be easy. Then again, nothing worth having is easy. Keep at it, put your hours in, and don’t be afraid to do your own thing. Till next time.
Highlights:
One-off exhaust manifold ( titanium )
One-off muffler ( full titanium )
Aero DO-LUCK processing
Z34 FACE LIFE
STARDAST FANDER KIT
Wheel WORK GNOSIS HS202
10.5J-28 // 11J-46