1988 Nissan 300ZX Z31 Californian Widebody - Reader Resto

By: James Secher, Photography by: Anthony Nguyen

Date: 10.11.2022

A winning auction bid led Rodney Luke on a journey of discovery

After a spur-of-the-moment auction bid on a classic 80s Nissan, Rodney Luke ended up with a rare version of the iconic Nissan 300ZX. "About 13 years ago, I was browsing eBay and saw this 1988 Z31 Californian widebody for sale on the Sunshine Coast. I ended up bidding on it and winning it. I never knew at the time exactly what it was until after I bought it."

After picking it up, he started researching and found only 200 of the Z31 Californian widebody cars sold here from 1987 to 1989. A joint venture between NISMO and Nissan, the Californian widebody was a limited run of the last Z31 300ZX, making way for the completely redesigned Z32 300ZX.

Japanese 80s coupes all had a similar and pleasing silhouette to them

Rodney became somewhat of an expert on the Z31 Californian and has a wealth of knowledge on the history of the limited-run car. "The Z31 Californian was manufactured in America to Australian rules." Rodney said." This car was built in America and brought to Australia in the sixth month of 1988. Built as a factory right-hand drive for the Australian market." The Californian was released with the right-foot-friendly VG30ET 3.0L V6 turbocharged engine, pumping out over 200hp-plus, and had factory flared guards, earning it the "widebody" name.

Realising what a treasure the Californian find was, Rodney took it on a few short trips before a cover was put over it, and his Z31 sat for some time. "When I picked it up, it drove quite well, but then it sat in our workshop for 10 years and never moved."

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Pop up lights and a big T- bar, signature 80s

With the Z31 sitting untouched for 10 years, Rodney decided the old girl needed a attention. "I finally uncovered it, got it out of the storeroom, and tried to start it. I quickly realised after sitting for so long, the motor had locked up. I removed the engine and found a blown head gasket. Instead of just fixing the head gasket,

I decided to completely strip it and rebuild it from top to bottom." Rodney meticulously photographed every stage of the engine rebuild and said parts were relatively easy to source as these engines were used across many Nissan commercial and passenger cars.

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The Z31 California model has a VG30ET W-series engine block that runs oversized water jackets for additional cooling, fully-floating piston wrist pins and self-adjusting hydraulic valve lifters. "I rebuilt the engine with JE Forged pistons and balanced the motor all the while retaining most parts," Rodney said. Some feel it’s essential nowadays to keep the all-important original matching numbers.

Not content with just an engine rebuild, Rodney repaired and replaced everything and anything that required attention along the way and found America an excellent source for parts. "The springs have all been replaced, the transmission has been rebuilt, new starter motor and a reconditioned radiator. I’ve been buying parts from America, like the door rubbers for the mirrors and some other small pieces."

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It’s a turbo. Says so on the label

Looking at the 80s-style interior, pop-up lights, and a removable Targa top, you can’t help but feel a little swept back to the time of stone-washed jeans and Miami Vice. "This is a nostalgic car to drive’,’ Rodney said. "It still has a cassette player in it. Everything works, the dashboard, electric aerial, which is amazing for its age. Every time I drive it, I get a lot of comments; you just don’t see many like these."

Since doing all the running gear and suspension work, Rodney reckons it drives like a new car and plans on restoring the interior and working on a few external blemishes to finish the restoration process. "I’m waiting for the samples, so I can retrim the front seats. I’ve got a slight repair to do on one back panel, then the car will be as pristine as it came out of the factory showroom."

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THE RESTO:

It started here

A locked up motor led to the resto.

Cranky

Only the best components were used in the rebuild.

Paint it black

Black part A bolts to shiny Part B.

The top end

The finished engine ready for reinstallation.

Vital numbers

All matching and accounted for.

Deflated

Factory space saver tyre still in place.

Something’s missing

Are these the ultimate ‘deep’ bucket seats.

Tee-top

Twin lift out Targa roof provides open air cruising.

Rooftop

Once off the roof eats up boot space, but worth it on a sunny day drive.

Rodney and his toy

Original car: 1988 Nissan 300ZX, Z31 Californian Widebody
Owner: Rodney Luke

Length of restoration: 8 months
Ownership: 13 years

1988 Nissan 300ZX Z31 Californian Widebody specs

NUMBER in Australia: 200
BODY: Two-door liftback
ENGINE: VG30ET 3.0lt V6 Turbo
POWER/TORQUE: 155kW/308Nm
TRANSMISSION: 4-speed auto
DIFFERENTIAL: Limited slip
BRAKES: disc (f&r)
TYRES: 215/60VR 15 radials

Reader Resto of the year contender

See all the contenders and vote here until Jan 8, 2023:

http://tradeuniquecars.com.au/rroty

From Unique Cars #470, Sep/Oct 2022

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