2 Things that would make the Z look better...
Originally Posted by jeffie7
Only thing I dislike about the Z 1970-2006 is when you look stright at it from the front. the factory bumper/hood has always had a very boxy look to it. for a car with many many lines the boxy front just kills it for me.=(
The whole car is so curvacious and sexy until you get to the the front-end where it goes blunt. This very reason makes the Z not so photogenic from the front compared to most angles.
The first thing I did when I got the car, was purchase a V1 lip just to offset the bland front nose. It gave it that extra subtle accent/ point that goes with the rest of the car.
Last edited by 35oZephyR; Sep 8, 2005 at 02:00 PM.
Well, I might have you all beat when it comes to opinions. I'm a car designer (graduated from ACCD), and I think the Z's rear end is the best part of the design. The front could use major improvements, but the rear is almost perfect.
Originally Posted by zland
I started out working on designing and building furnature but always wanted to go into teaching. I majored in design and started teaching drafting, CAD, and architecture at the HS and college levels and have been doing that for 20 years now. I do a lot of house designs for people just to stay active designing something so what I teach is valid. Right now, we just started working with a program called Solidworkds which is a #D solidmodeling program that is really powerful. Design is a process and what a lot of people are doing with a Z when they are modifying it is that process. This is why I do not understand anyone being negative of suggesting improvements on any product.
Ahhh...good old solid works (damn...this was posted quite sometime ago)...used that at school. Parametric programs are so much easier to deal with. We started using it back in '99..haven't touched it since '02 though.
It's not so much that I think the rear should be shortened, as someone mentioned it would disturb the airflow but the wheels should be pushed back making the "overhang" disappear and it would match the front better.
The #1 thing that I wish my Z had is a targa top. The car's design is perfect for it, as far as looks not function. Although T-tops would look cool too nothing beats a targa top. Except on the older 911's, they were hideous.
A turbo (twin-turbo) would be a nice thing to have but that's something that if you're into it you can find aftermarket. A targa top on the other hand... I'll just keep dreaming.
The #1 thing that I wish my Z had is a targa top. The car's design is perfect for it, as far as looks not function. Although T-tops would look cool too nothing beats a targa top. Except on the older 911's, they were hideous.
A turbo (twin-turbo) would be a nice thing to have but that's something that if you're into it you can find aftermarket. A targa top on the other hand... I'll just keep dreaming.
I'd have to say maybe a slight change in headlight configuration in the front....looks a little too much like the Celica IMO....
.....and the yellow reflectors on the front...other than safety factor, they basically go unnoticed, IMO. Additional Lighting, like small round lights in the air dam, or maybe within the bumper (different shape of course).
.....and the yellow reflectors on the front...other than safety factor, they basically go unnoticed, IMO. Additional Lighting, like small round lights in the air dam, or maybe within the bumper (different shape of course).
Saint Spinner,
Nice to see a fellow designer on board. I'm a product designer, thought about going into car design, but didn't want to get stuck designing the door handle or gas cap...
Here's my rendition of the existing Z in various forms. Basically shorting the overhang, bigger rims and lower rocker panels. The top one is the original. Maybe for 2008, jk!
Zquicksilver
Nice to see a fellow designer on board. I'm a product designer, thought about going into car design, but didn't want to get stuck designing the door handle or gas cap...
Here's my rendition of the existing Z in various forms. Basically shorting the overhang, bigger rims and lower rocker panels. The top one is the original. Maybe for 2008, jk!
Zquicksilver
Yup. Not too many industrial designers, huh?
Regarding your chop, try pushing the cab a little further back (ie, longer hood) and slightly (ever so slightly) lower the roof. That would be sweet.
I know what you mean about designing gas caps and such, hence I never went for the car design postion. Instead I opted to be a concept designer for the movie industry.
Actually all my buddys are car designers, and its not that bad...the only one that complained used to design for porsche...he said it got boring designing the 911 for the nth time...
Regarding your chop, try pushing the cab a little further back (ie, longer hood) and slightly (ever so slightly) lower the roof. That would be sweet.
I know what you mean about designing gas caps and such, hence I never went for the car design postion. Instead I opted to be a concept designer for the movie industry.

Actually all my buddys are car designers, and its not that bad...the only one that complained used to design for porsche...he said it got boring designing the 911 for the nth time...
Originally Posted by Zquicksilver
Saint Spinner,
Nice to see a fellow designer on board. I'm a product designer, thought about going into car design, but didn't want to get stuck designing the door handle or gas cap...
Here's my rendition of the existing Z in various forms. Basically shorting the overhang, bigger rims and lower rocker panels. The top one is the original. Maybe for 2008, jk!
Zquicksilver
Nice to see a fellow designer on board. I'm a product designer, thought about going into car design, but didn't want to get stuck designing the door handle or gas cap...
Here's my rendition of the existing Z in various forms. Basically shorting the overhang, bigger rims and lower rocker panels. The top one is the original. Maybe for 2008, jk!
Zquicksilver
Those are sweet! I especially love the Targa top one you have below.
These pics should have been the Concept Z back in early 2000.
The initial concepts that Nissan had look like a bunch of 4x4 STD's.
Nice... looks like the new M6 
Wait to you see what a DB9, M6, RX-8, and Z produce when they have an orgy...
Give me a minute to download this puppy... lol
Zquicksilver
ps sorry for side tracking this thread, but I think I'm in love with my new FRANKINZ.

Wait to you see what a DB9, M6, RX-8, and Z produce when they have an orgy...
Give me a minute to download this puppy... lol

Zquicksilver
ps sorry for side tracking this thread, but I think I'm in love with my new FRANKINZ.
The rear of the back isn't too big... remember the Baby Got Back song by Sir Mix A Lot? "Cosmo say's you're fat, well I ain't down with that!" The best part of the Z is its big booty imho
Originally Posted by Saint_Spinner
Yup. Not too many industrial designers, huh?
Regarding your chop, try pushing the cab a little further back (ie, longer hood) and slightly (ever so slightly) lower the roof. That would be sweet.
I know what you mean about designing gas caps and such, hence I never went for the car design postion. Instead I opted to be a concept designer for the movie industry.
Actually all my buddys are car designers, and its not that bad...the only one that complained used to design for porsche...he said it got boring designing the 911 for the nth time...
Regarding your chop, try pushing the cab a little further back (ie, longer hood) and slightly (ever so slightly) lower the roof. That would be sweet.
I know what you mean about designing gas caps and such, hence I never went for the car design postion. Instead I opted to be a concept designer for the movie industry.

Actually all my buddys are car designers, and its not that bad...the only one that complained used to design for porsche...he said it got boring designing the 911 for the nth time...
Yea, it's competitive, but I'm surviving pretty well
The movie industry is where I would like to be when it comes to ultimate freedom to vizualization.Guess your familiar with these guys to name a few, huh?
www.sydmead.com
www.designstudiopress.com "you have to click on links, then go to Concept Design Artist". Truly inspirational!!!!
www.cardesignnews.com "to anyone who want to see what some of the car will look like three years from now" I remember seeing a few renderings of the latest BIG benz, thinking... wow that's out there, look at the freakin huge curved sweep headlight to taillight. It's now on the road!
Enjoy,
Zquicksilver
Hehehehe...the folks at designstudiopress are my buddies. The owner of that company was my instructor. As for Sydmead, yeah, I've party'd with him once. It was funny. Totally plays for the other team. For someone that can design really well, he's got the worse sense of fashion.
The last one is the best. Man, a T top or even jsut the roof that can be taken out and put in the trunk would be great. Man, that is exactly what I want, a open top that doesn't get rid of the nice curve at the back. The roadster sacrifice that line at the back.
I would definately trade in my Z for the next generation Z if it had the removable top like that.
BTW: Here is my attempt at what the Z should look like...

LOL, just kidding, it's the audi from "I, Robot"
I would definately trade in my Z for the next generation Z if it had the removable top like that.
BTW: Here is my attempt at what the Z should look like...

LOL, just kidding, it's the audi from "I, Robot"
Originally Posted by Zquicksilver
Saint Spinner,
Nice to see a fellow designer on board. I'm a product designer, thought about going into car design, but didn't want to get stuck designing the door handle or gas cap...
Here's my rendition of the existing Z in various forms. Basically shorting the overhang, bigger rims and lower rocker panels. The top one is the original. Maybe for 2008, jk!
Zquicksilver

Nice to see a fellow designer on board. I'm a product designer, thought about going into car design, but didn't want to get stuck designing the door handle or gas cap...
Here's my rendition of the existing Z in various forms. Basically shorting the overhang, bigger rims and lower rocker panels. The top one is the original. Maybe for 2008, jk!
Zquicksilver

Originally Posted by mysteriumZ
i wish some one could make the side Z emblems light up like the bmw Z4's side markers.
They already do. Check out www.zcarparts.com and look for 350Z side marker emblems...
Originally Posted by Zquicksilver
Saint Spinner,
Nice to see a fellow designer on board. I'm a product designer, thought about going into car design, but didn't want to get stuck designing the door handle or gas cap...
Here's my rendition of the existing Z in various forms. Basically shorting the overhang, bigger rims and lower rocker panels. The top one is the original. Maybe for 2008, jk!
Zquicksilver

Nice to see a fellow designer on board. I'm a product designer, thought about going into car design, but didn't want to get stuck designing the door handle or gas cap...
Here's my rendition of the existing Z in various forms. Basically shorting the overhang, bigger rims and lower rocker panels. The top one is the original. Maybe for 2008, jk!
Zquicksilver

the last one on there is the sexiest thing i have ever seen...would trade in a heartbeat for that...mmm mmm mmmmmmm







