The sixth generation of the Fairlady-Z, Nissan’s 370Z leaves the dealer as a svelte, capable sports car. Leaner and with more grunt than its older brother, the 370Z’s performance was benchmarked against the Porsche Cayman S, with the latest Z a potent performer out of the box.
On the 370Z’s release, Wheels magazine said: “The Zed is unquestionably for the purist who dares.”
One of those who dared is Sydneysider Terry Dao, though pure may be the wrong description for Terry’s unique Z34 coupe.
A long time JDM enthusiast, Terry made the step-up buy to the 370Z from his standard 350, and has set about improving his example and preparing it for the track.
“It’s my daily driver but hopefully down the line I could commit to a full-time race car,” he said.
“I drive it to work but I also do a bit of spirited driving up and down the coast and around the Blue Mountains.”
Requiring the car to serve its adrenaline-inducing purpose on track while retaining street manners, Terry’s search for tyres sought uncompromising grip performance for the track along with comfort, longevity and all weather on-road safety.
To meet his demands, Terry went Toyo.
“I have been driving on the Toyo Proxes T1 Sports for about four months now and I have felt a big improvement in grip, handling and overall feel from the previous tyres I was using,” he said.
“I have raced at Wakefield but I want to take it to SMSP. I would definitely get an improvement on the times with the Toyos on.”
The factory looks have been ditched in favour of a Powerhouse Amuse style kit and, underscoring Terry’s intentions for track work, a red Bride Zeta III fixed back bucket has replaced the driver’s recliner, keeping Terry in place when pulling those lateral G’s into turn one.
Aussie-built MCA Blue coilovers work with SPL camber arms to keep the car motorsport-ready and hunkered down over the aggressively specced Work Kiwamis in 19x9.5 +25 front, 19x10.5 +45 rear.
Project Mu pads hold things together when the VQ37 gets into stride, with the High Flow Catalytic Converters from Berk matched with a titanium-tipped Tomei cat back system giving the Zed a unique bark as the tachometer heads north.
Refined street looks, an OEM+ approach to modification and a balanced performance package with a race-track edge, Terry’s 370Z is one of the finest examples we have seen.
All photography by Kevin Phetrasi – check out Kevin’s work at www.facebook.com/kevinphetrasiphotography
