TRUST THE PROCESS

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Not every car starts in the right place.

Some arrive halfway through someone else’s idea—layers of decisions, quick fixes, and bold choices that haven’t quite held up to the passage of time. This 350Z is one of those cars. Known for its purple flip wrap and Rocket Bunny widebody kit, it’s had a presence for a while. Just not necessarily the right one.

That’s changing.

Chris describes it best, with a grin: “Runs is a strong word… it moves-ish.” It’s tongue-in-cheek, but it sets the tone. This isn’t a finished car. It’s the start of something.

And right now, it shows.

Mechanically, it does what it needs to. But visually, it’s on its way out. The wrap is peeling, the previous bodywork is starting to come apart, and at one point I had to stop Chris from picking bits of it off before we’d even started shooting. Tempting, apparently—but probably better saved for later.

Because underneath all of that, this is essentially a blank canvas.

What matters is what’s coming next.

In the back of the car is where the real story starts: wider rear quarters, a new bumper, and the beginning of a full overhaul. Somehow, he’d managed to fit it all into the 350Z’s boot—no small feat given how much was there.  The direction is clear—strip it back and rebuild it properly, moving towards a mixed Rocket Bunny setup that gives the car a more squared-off stance. Not the usual narrow-front, wide-rear look—but something more balanced, more deliberate.

It’s not about refining what’s already there, but about starting again.

Next step is simple: get the parts on, get the shape right, then move towards paint. Satin black, cleaner lines, and a car that feels cohesive rather than pieced together.

There’s a familiar influence behind it all. Tokyo Drift era, when the 350Z was the car and the Fast and Furious films were in their heyday. This doesn’t try to recreate that outright, but it leans into those same ideas—presence, stance, and something that stands apart without trying too hard.

As it sits, it’s rough, honest and unfinished.

But that’s the point.

This is where it starts.

Trust me, we’ll be coming back to this one. I can’t wait to see what it becomes.