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When the 350Z was released back in 2002, one of the most controversial styling features was the iconic silver door handles. Even a figure as bombastic as Bob Lutz commented on them as the pre-production Z33 made the rounds at the auto show circuit: "Oh, the car looks good, but they'll have to do something about those door handles".
Today is the 13th anniversary of purchasing my preorder Redline track Z. One of the first memories of that day was inspecting my car in the lobby of the dealership and scrutinizing those prominent silver handles. They not only helped break up the high waistline of the Z, they provided some visual interest in an area that a hidden door handle, or even a body colored one would not. They also operated with consistent precision and have a nice feel to them. Through the years, they've proven durable and unique on my track model. I particularly like the fact that the paint under the latch doesn't get scratched by fingernails or degrade over time.
And while it remains a popular mod to paint, clip or plastidip the Z33 door handles, I think it's a fruitless effort. There are better ways to individualize this car! Even the succeeding Z model retained this now iconic feature, although the Z34 door handles are smaller and more angled. So count me as a ardent supporter of this styling device from Nissan designers Ajay Panchal, Diane Allen and the NDA design team. Sometimes taking chances pays off!
When the 350Z was released back in 2002, one of the most controversial styling features was the iconic silver door handles. Even a figure as bombastic as Bob Lutz commented on them as the pre-production Z33 made the rounds at the auto show circuit: "Oh, the car looks good, but they'll have to do something about those door handles".
Today is the 13th anniversary of purchasing my preorder Redline track Z. One of the first memories of that day was inspecting my car in the lobby of the dealership and scrutinizing those prominent silver handles. They not only helped break up the high waistline of the Z, they provided some visual interest in an area that a hidden door handle, or even a body colored one would not. They also operated with consistent precision and have a nice feel to them. Through the years, they've proven durable and unique on my track model. I particularly like the fact that the paint under the latch doesn't get scratched by fingernails or degrade over time.
And while it remains a popular mod to paint, clip or plastidip the Z33 door handles, I think it's a fruitless effort. There are better ways to individualize this car! Even the succeeding Z model retained this now iconic feature, although the Z34 door handles are smaller and more angled. So count me as a ardent supporter of this styling device from Nissan designers Ajay Panchal, Diane Allen and the NDA design team. Sometimes taking chances pays off!
I hear ya, David.
But gotta tell ya, the old hot rodder in me really digs the Kindig-It (Bitchin' Rides show on Velocity) door handles they featured....
What I would call "Modern Frenched". Hot....better than "shaved, e-solenoid design" IMO.
And I hear YOU, Mic. Those "Modern Frenched" door handles are bitchin' alright, but they're almost lost among the myriad of custom details on a high dollar hot rod. They do remind me of the very elegant door pulls on the current R35 GT-R. I certainly admire THOSE and the design behind them.
But all I'm sayin' is that--particularly for an affordable $30K range sportscar--our door handles are a successful design feature that seem to be holding up to the test of time. Thanks for posting and I hope others will also post their thoughts on styling retrospectives, door handles, or other positive features, so we don't go STARK RAVIN' MAD at all the posts here on screwed up cars and our guesses on how to fix 'em from behind a keyboard...
And I hear YOU, Mic. Those "Modern Frenched" door handles are bitchin' alright, but they're almost lost among the myriad of custom details on a high dollar hot rod. They do remind me of the very elegant door pulls on the current R35 GT-R. I certainly admire THOSE and the design behind them.
But all I'm sayin' is that--particularly for an affordable $30K range sportscar--our door handles are a successful design feature that seem to be holding up to the test of time. Thanks for posting and I hope others will also post their thoughts on styling retrospectives, door handles, or other positive features, so we don't go STARK RAVIN' MAD at all the posts here on screwed up cars and our guesses on how to fix 'em from behind a keyboard...
Heh, heh... Word.
My favorite retrospective feature on the Z33 is the sound of the factory exhaust. I've mentioned this before but.... when Nissan was bringing back the Z for a 5th gen (Z33), they specifically tuned the exhaust to sound similar in volume and tone to the old I-6 S30s and if you listen to them side by side, it's very apparent the heredity/DNA that passed from the progenitor.
People call it the "VQ sound" but in reality, it's more L24/L26/L28.
For this longtime owner/enthusiast, the sound is magical.
These door handles are kinda cool minus the fact that when they decide not to work anymore your not getting into the car. But hey if you can afford one you probably have options in your garage anyways... Think its like 90k and have a waiting list here for the tesla type s
I towed a 70s gto with those door handles you posted it was pretty custom and they worked well with it... I towed the tesla too it was a p.i.t.a. and felt like a tank on the back of the tow truck. I didn't know what was going on with the door handles and was afraid they wouldn't come out when I wanted them too. It was raining the car kept going back into park when I was trying to pull it onto the bed it wasnt much fun. But I did get to bring it 80miles to the closest dealership.
I like factory Z33 door handles better. Minus the breakage of some of the plastic pieces. But at least replacements can be found for a reasonable price.
I really like the door handles and have no idea why people would put lame CF covers on them or paint them. They flow with the farm or kinda break up the flow , but just work well with the styling.
Last edited by terrasmak; Oct 11, 2015 at 07:35 AM.
I like the fact that its different from most car as to that they dont match the paint of the car abd it a visual pleasure.
But my ocd in me is bother that they dont match haha so i paint mine black to match my black car. My silver 350 is left oem since it matches. Win win for me haha
Mic- I didn't know that Nissan engineered the Z33 engine note to match the L-series. My street Z uses a Stillen true duel and the race Z has test pipes with a Magnaflow single, so I haven't really heard the OEM exhaust for awhile now...
And since your own both Z33 and Z34s, how do you like the door handles on each? Do you prefer one over the other? Would you favor Nissan retaining this styling feature on the next Z? Inquiring minds are just plain nosey...
Nissan's design group put a lot of thought behind the 350z's exterior door handles. They are both attractive and functional. That is a design achievement.
Mic- I didn't know that Nissan engineered the Z33 engine note to match the L-series. My street Z uses a Stillen true duel and the race Z has test pipes with a Magnaflow single, so I haven't really heard the OEM exhaust for awhile now...
And since your own both Z33 and Z34s, how do you like the door handles on each? Do you prefer one over the other? Would you favor Nissan retaining this styling feature on the next Z? Inquiring minds are just plain nosey...
Yep, I'll have to try and track down where I read that about the exhaust. I recall reading it then seeking one of the first dealers to have the 5th-gen Z back in '02.... JUST TO VERIFY that. Heh heh.
On the door handle debate.... uh, well, I never really thought about it. Since it was my wife's car, I rarely drove the Z34 and now that it's moved to SoCal with my daughter, I have no way to go and look. Heh heh...... but as I recall, it was bigger, as compared to the Z33 but oriented in the same vertical orientation.
Not to derail the subject of door handles but here is the info on the engineering that went into the exhaust.
"The Sound of Z Power
From the very start, a core goal of engineers working on the 350Z engine was to deliver a powerful sound from the intake and exhaust, without high-pitched, "tinny" mechanical sounds or the low-frequency booming or rumbling that can grow tiresome on long trips.
From driving Italian exotic cars, such as the Maserati 3200GT and the Ferrari 360 Modena, F355 and F40, Nissan studied the "emotional" aspects of intake and exhaust sounds. Benchmarks for the 350Z's induction sound were the BMW M Coupe, Porsche Boxster, and Nissan Skyline GT-R.
The exhaust sound was maximized at low engine speed (1000-3500 rpm), but quiet at normal cruising. And intake sound maximized at high engine speed (3500-6000 rpm) -- especially at wide throttle openings -- but toned down during cruising.
Nissan used straight intake ducts and removed the 0.5 harmonic to give a "clear" intake sound. A variable intake manifold was not used in the 350Z.
The 350Z's exhaust had reduced back pressure and was freer flowing than in any other Nissan. Its equal-length exhaust-manifold branches fed a large-diameter single pipe, which fluted to dual outlets aft of the rear axle. A complete dual system was discarded due to cost, weight and aerodynamics."
When I first saw the door handles on the z (in pictures, anyway)...I was, well, skeptical. Then i saw it in person and it instantly became one of my favorite features on the car.
I think the Z had a lot going for it from the factory. From the exhaust note, the clean factory wheels, to the door handles and the gauge placements, the car was a solid package.
Z33 Styling Retrospective: Door Handles
