This passed Sunday I decided to get up early and head out to Chiba for a little drive. I heard that the guys from TA Auto were going to be at Sodegaura Forest for a couple of soukoukai sessions, so a nice opportunity to catch up with Ando-san and some of the other classic Z and GT-R owners. Quiet, low-key grassroots events like these are the perfect place to do some Speedhunting and straight away, after driving into the massive paddock, I spotted my first pray for the day.
I have been seeing the Central20 Z34 “370ZG” at plenty of events over the last year or so but never had the time to take a closer look. The president of Central20 Haruhito Yanagida, was kind enough to let me grab the Z so I could take a few snaps. Yanagida-san is the father of Masataka Yanagida, the current Super GT GT500 Champion along with teammate Ronnie Quintarelli in the Mola GT-R.
What is there not to like on this Z Roadster, starting off with the very unique body alterations like the gilled air outlets on the rear and the original Central20 G-nose front bumper.
Looks are mated with a little performance boost thanks to the air filter kit, which replaces the bulky stock airboxes with a pair of cone filters…
…and aluminum piping. The induction upgrades work together with the…
…full stainless steel exhaust. To really enhance the sound of the VQ37VHR, specially designed ø48.6 mm headers were developed, helping flow exhaust gasses more freely towards the sports catalysts and the rest of the system. The stacked tail pipes may look a little Lexus IS-F, but are a kind of modern interpretation of the S30’s stacked twin pipes. With a specially tuned ECU governing the V6, power is boosted by 38 HP and response improved.
Hiding behind the forged monobloc Central20 C5 19-inch wheels is a pretty serious brake upgrade with massive 6-pot calipers biting down on 370 mm rotors and 4-pots at the rear mated to slightly smaller 355 mm discs.
With Yanagida’s experience behind the wheel of race cars, not to mention his son’s input, it’s no wonder the handling is so spot on. The Z rides on Central20 coilover suspension, offering up a fine combination of comfort and precision.
The interior will satisfy anyone out there with a serious carbon fiber fetish.
Beautifully shiny fibers cover up much of the center console…
…as well as the shift knob. The car is an automatic as this is what Yanagida-san likes to commute around in.
More carbon!
Nissan’s stock seats have been replaced with a pair of Bride adjustable buckets, custom embroidered with the Central20 and SportZ logos.
Nissan have done a great job making the Roadster Z look as good as it does…
…and Yanagida-san at Central20 has created an even more focused machine thanks to a selection of top of the line parts.
-Dino Dalle Carbonare
OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS
How can you purposely build such an ugly car. And an automatic to boot
I've never been a huge Z34 fan, but it did not deserve this "treatment"
......no.........try that one again. Red top and the white body is not doing it. Front bumper does not flow or the match the rear or sides imo. The car is auto with fake carbon sticker stuff that looks like it came off the andys auto sport page in superstreet. Exhaust tips dont flow with the rear bumper nor does the brake light. I like the seats though
i just barfed a little. i don't even know where to begin...
This car will do well in 1997 if they were gonna shot a Fast & Furious back then. Damn it must be hard work to make a car look this horrible in 2011.
Anyone else getting a signature Mazda grin from the front bumper?
i honestly don't like it .. the burgundy soft top and yellow calipers seriously clash and the exhaust reminds me to much of the Isf and that long ass ugly antenna in the back make it looks like an RC car
Trhe 4 Tips Are ruining it
i want one exactly like it only in black
Coulda dropped the nose more to make it more reminiscent of the G-nose of the old S30 Fairlady's. I think it looks pig nosedish. The rear is just lost. Stupid. Exhausts need to be done differently.
It does well as a nice car to commute in for an old man.
looks like rice to me..
not gonna lie, thats ugly. i can handle the interior, but the exterior and those wheels....
Hideous in everyway. Ugly wheels, ugly read top, ugly 370z convertible shape. Lol i dont normally hate so much but geez what an ugly car.
i disagree with the first post, a filipino dude designed that car and btw many people drive 370Z's the 370Z is not an ugly car compared to the many other ugly cars out there. And i love any car with a fine body regardless of make because i can make it my own.
Something wrong with the big pictures... Tumbnails images showns as it's should be but big pics between story lines not loading... Could you fix it please. thanx in advance..
YUCK
mother of god thats gross
Do you always "pray" to each car you take pictures of?
why not just go for the subtle look? this was...
Am I the only one who thinks, that it looks better without this messed up kit??
Ugly.
I thought i'll be solo to say a negative comment but well, i dont like it neither.
That kit is terrible. Styling details stolen from an Audi R8? Truly awful.
embarrassing
Wow, possible new low? ? I think you guys owe us one...... This looks pretty bad. I'm speechless.
Looks like they went to Walmart and bought the wheels and emblems.
So much amount of fail that I thought it was april fools day.
Mi dispiace Dino ma questa proprio non riesco a fartela passare!!!
Theres mothing ZG about this thing, what great way to ruin the name zg.
A car feature? For this? really?
There is something very wrong with the way this car looks that I can't quite put my finger on...
Needs a front lip or something, the front kick up too much. love the interior and the work done, not so much the car. wouldnt buy but I surely would accept as a gift.
My eyes they burn!!!
what is this? this does not belong on speedhunters
none of central20's creations ever look good or perform particularly well. definitely not an inspirational tuner.
why god why!?!
Who the hell decided to put this on speedhunters? This Dino guy needs to have his editing title reviewed. All around awful.
The only thing I like about it are the rims.
NO!
Yep....Fail....
Not a fan at all.... stock is better... and stock is NEVER good.
Whats with all the hate? I personally really like this car and Dino has great taste in cars.
Couldn't have said it better myself...
" jay dub said:
i just barfed a little. i don't even know where to begin..."
Maybe next time, they can take care of the performance side of things and collab with a designer for the looks...