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Due to first 260Z 2+2 body procured for my convertible project, turning out to be a better candidate for restoration than for being cut up as a convertible, I went back to my parts car sources and dug up another donor body, a late model 1974 260Z 2+2, temporarily named "Mad Max". Note 1: Nissan produced 2+2 versions of early 260Z models (240Z bumpers & suspension) & late style 260Z models (280 bumpers and suspension) and 2+2 versions of all years of 280Z models through 1978 in the US. IMO, the early 260Z 2+2 was a most unusual body because it appears to have been stamped from early 240Z style body templates for only a one year period from August 1973 to August 1974. Note 2: As of 2004, all 1974-75 Z cars in California are smog exempt under current law, and hence, the most hassle free years to build radical hybridized Z car projects using V-8 or other alternate engine swaps added to the mix. Except for a damaged hood, modestly dented in rear quarter section near rear bumper end and some repairable rust in lower rocker panels adjacent to rear wheels, this 2+2 body's condition looks very promising for conversion to a convertible. Virtually everything important on the car is intact except the trashed engine and a missing driver's seat. Even the black paint is not in all that bad of condition except for two spots on the roof and the hokey "black out" paint over effect on the chrome bumpers and bright trim pieces, a common customizing approach to Z cars in the 70's and 80's. Above is the dirty version of the car after being pulled out of a back lot. Next photos will show it's "official portrait" after it's all cleaned up and photo documented, somewhat in the same style as photo documentation used on my other 2+2 project featured in this section, "Mr. Toad".
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For more background information and discussion on the above concept illustrations and this project's progress please come back to this page periodically or check out the related thread on Hybridz.org in the Body & Paint section.
- Preliminary side pipe concept illustrations
- Four section, louvered rocker cover with chromed cherry bomb muffler side pipe inside rocker enclosure
- Tri oval exhaust tip concept
Continuous curved roof line adjustment experiment (33k) to Mad Max's 2+2's "ugly" stock roof line
Another roof line alteration
- Tomahawk Z kit photos with functional side pipes
- Poster shot of Vincent Hudson's "Purple Candy" Tomahawk Z # 002 (rear side view)
- Steve Cameron's Black Tomahawk Z on a 240Z body
- Jim Darnell's "Goddess" black, 240Z show car with custom side pipe design
- 1991 2+2 convertible design sketch with removable fiberglass top design (bottom of the page)
Concept, Illustrations and photography by Eric Neyerlin of
S30 2+2 Convertible Projects - Mad Max
