Homepage Article Spotlight: 300ZX Spyder Concept

[Gold Digger]

A very interesting read on the development on what ultimately became the 300ZX Convertible.

300ZX Spyder Concept



Not that I don't like convertible cars, but for some reason, with the exception of the S13 vert, most of Nissan's attempts at convertibles just look horrendous. The Z32 wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. The Z33/34 vert...FORGET IT. Looks so terrible in my opinion. And let's not forger the Murano Cross Cabriolet. WTFBBQ?


But, the Z32 Spyder concept, I think, was HOT! The only thing I thought was a bit weird were the seat belt positions for the back seat. I have never seen rear belts come from the center like that. Strange, but interesting at the same time. And I think with the top down, it looks so smooth without the roof bar.

I think if Nissan would have gone the retractable hard-top route, they may have sold quite a few more Z cars.

Discuss.

[alms24sebring]

It looks alright actually. I bet they would have sold more cars too with that option. A twin turbo verted Z would be cool.

But, I still don't don't think I myself would buy one. I just don't like verts at all.

[Gold Digger]

I want to have a vert to drive around with my wife in a few years when the kids get a bit more grown up and we don't have to take them everywhere.

I'm thinking about picking up either a current gen Mazda roadster maybe even a vert 3 series if I can find one here that isn't stupid expensive and in crap shape.

[Razi]

Wow, that actually looked nice.
Reminds me of the S15 Varietta.

[sbird1]

Looks too plain with the top up. Takes away from that great "supercar" look that the Z32 has.

[frapjap]

I like Z32 'verts. Theres one by me that is routinely driven in summer.
The tt Z was a pretty expensive car in its day (50k by 1996). Granted, still a bargain for what it was performance wise, but not a cheap chunk of change for cars in a similar class.

The closest vehicle I could think of to a retractable hard top Z32 would have to be this:

A 65k VR4.

Given that the VR4 example still holds its value very well, its to bad Nissan never produced the Z32 hard top 'vert.

[Gold Digger]

Ya know...with the amount of Z32 and S13 cars I see over here...I have never seen a vert of either one of them. I see Z32 T-tops/Slicktops all the time and S13 coupes with and without sun roofs, but never verts.

I would guess they are here, just very rare and not in this area.

[300ZXttZMAN]

interesting i like

[Ace2cool]

I like Z32 'verts. Theres one by me that is routinely driven in summer.
The tt Z was a pretty expensive car in its day (50k by 1996). Granted, still a bargain for what it was performance wise, but not a cheap chunk of change for cars in a similar class.

The closest vehicle I could think of to a retractable hard top Z32 would have to be this:

A 65k VR4.

Given that the VR4 example still holds its value very well, its to bad Nissan never produced the Z32 hard top 'vert.

Funny you should mention the VR4 Spyder... Its top was directly taken from the ASC 300ZX Spyder. Almost 100% of the mechanics and design were a direct lift from the concept car this thread is about. I am also very sad to know that this car never made it into production. Such a cool design.

[slicktopZX]

Hey guys im new to this forum and i myself own a concept convertible, but instead of a hardtop its a soft top 2 piece concept which only 2,000 were made ( i was told that ) . Most soft top convertible were 1 piece fold back to the trunk with a roll bar. MINES IS 2 PIECE FOLD BACK T-TOP CONVERTIBLE with no roll bar .

And btw it has all the options available. I dont know anyone with this type of 2 piece convertible..if you do send them this way cuz i have alot of questions on how rare these are....

ENJOY AND ASK QUESTIONS BECAUSE I HAVE NO LIFE BESIDES THE GARAGE!

[Ace2cool]

I've never seen one of those before. Like, never. I'm fairly certain that's a one-off custom.

[slicktopZX]

I thought the same "ace2cool" but it's odd that my trunk is a complete trunk not cutoff or anything , when regular coupe trunk open it's a hatch right?? Well mines is a regular trunk with all the hardware inside , all shocks to hold it up is in place.

[prominentalex]

Ya know...with the amount of Z32 and S13 cars I see over here...I have never seen a vert of either one of them. I see Z32 T-tops/Slicktops all the time and S13 coupes with and without sun roofs, but never verts.

I would guess they are here, just very rare and not in this area.

Almost positive Convertible S13's were only produced for North America. Don't qoute me on it though.

[krash]

Almost positive Convertible S13's were only produced for North America. Don't qoute me on it though.

There are two kinds of s13 verts. Autech and ASC. ASC verts were modified from coupes here and Autech verts were modified from silvias in japan. The two are quite different.