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  • Porsche dealers compete in restoration challenge

    You don’t have to go all the way to Stuttgart, or even to company-owned facilities in Atlanta for restoration of your classic Porsche. To underscore that fact, the 2021 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge involves 40 dealership service departments across the United States, each restoring a car for the company-sponsored contest.

    “The entries run the gamut from the 1950s to the 2000s, from 75 to 612 horsepower, and from rear- to mid- and front-engine layout,” Porsche notes in its announcement of the challenge.

    “The years and the miles have written individual histories for each car, but now a common chapter is about to tie their journeys together: the 2021 Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge.”

    Previously, the challenge has been based in Europe. However, “The U.S. is home to more classic Porsche sports cars than any other market. After decades on the road, some will inevitably be in need of a little extra care. Enter the Restoration Challenge, where Porsche Classic has encouraged U.S. dealerships to acquire a car that is due for some expert technical attention to ensure many more years of driving pleasure.”

    Porsche reports that multiple 356 models, some dating from 1956, as well as five generations of 911, transaxle cars including the 944 and 928, as well as “modern classics” including the first-generation Boxster, are undergoing restoration work.

    “Each vehicle will undergo restoration in the best possible hands: Porsche-trained technicians who will have a portfolio of more than 60,000 unique Porsche Classic Genuine Parts at their disposal,” Porsche notes.

    Nine of the participating dealerships already have been designated Porsche Classic Partners “who every day go above and beyond in their commitment to keeping vintage cars on the road and driving just as well as the moment they left the factory,” Porsche adds.

    Porsche also has a company-owned restoration shop at its US headquarters in Atlanta

    Porsche also has a company-owned restoration shop at its US headquarters in Atlanta

    ]The challenge runs until mid-August when winners will be chosen from three regions — East, South-Central, and West. Those cars will advance to the challenge finals in September, when the winner will be selected based not only on the restoration itself but on documentation.

    For more information, visit the Porsche Classic website.

    This article, written by Larry Edsall, was originally published on ClassicCars.com, an editorial partner of Motor Authority.

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  • NISSAN 350Z FAST MODS

    The 350Z has always been the complete package: rumbling power, beautiful design, rugged mechanicals, hilarious to drive on B-roads and on track… and there are a lot of options to make them look cool and unique too. Here’s our Nissan 350Z fast mods guide. 

    The ever-popular 350Z has mellowed into a true-blue modern classic. We’ve always had a lot of time for the early-2000s Zed car, it’s just a heroic piece of design. You get all the cool heritage of the iconic Z badge along with the stylish aesthetic quirks, and it’s all underpinned by utterly bulletproof mechanicals. These things were built tough, and the specs are compelling too. It’s a real muscle car formula – a brawny nat-asp 3.5-litre V6 up front, drive going to the rear, and a decent manual gearbox in the middle. That’s all you need really, isn’t it? Particularly in such a compact machine.

    Early cars (2003-05) had 287bhp, and from 2006 onward they had a nice round 300bhp, which is all very eye-opening when you consider that it’s possible to find a solid 350Z for £5,000. But why stop there? These things are famously very tuneable – there’s a world of chassis mods out there for them, along with all sorts of power upgrades. If you want to get the full lowdown from the proper experts, it’s Tarmac Sportz who you want to be talking to…

    Nissan 350Z Fast Mods

    Click to enlarge

    Rear diffuser, £325

    There are a number of different options when it comes to 350Z diffusers, but we’re particularly loving the look of Tarmac Sportz’s TS Style item. The diffuser has built-in vortex generators and is finished in gloss black, so it’s a fabulous fusion of form and function; it also has an adjustable bracket that allows it to accommodate either the standard exhaust system or most types of aftermarket pipes.

    Bottomline side skirt extensions, £250

    A tasteful and neatly designed addition, these fibreglass-reinforced plastic side skirt extensions do a lot to beef up the profile of the Zed’s side aspect while also complementing the factory design. They attach to the existing OEM skirts rather than replacing them, and they don’t need expensive bodyshop fitment – once they’ve been painted, you can bolt them straight on.

    Rear overfenders, £295

    This is more of a hardcore undertaking, as these fat rear arches will dramatically amp up the wickedness of your 350Z’s silhouette. These overfenders serve up an extra 50mm of girth – you can imagine the effect once your Zed’s slammed over some wider wheels. And as an extra benefit, these arches are made from FRP; it’s no secret that the 350Z’s stock rear wings like to rust, so this’ll help you eliminate that problem while also adding a bit of show-car style and drift chic.

    Nissan 350Z Fast Mods

    Blox Racing Plenum Spacer, £138

    The BLOX Racing intake manifold spacer for the Nissan VQ35 is specifically designed to help increase the manifold’s capacity and lower the intake air temperature. As a result of the improved efficiency, power and throttle response is also increased. The BLOX plenum spacer is available in three different thicknesses, in order to provide the best fitment and power potential for your setup.

    Cobra Sport resonated exhaust system with carbon tips, £727.38

    When it comes to choosing an exhaust upgrade for your 350Z, a Cobra Sport system is a triple threat: you get power, sound, and quality. So you know for a fact that you’ll be getting a setup that liberates a few extra horses, makes a glorious noise, and will fit perfectly and last for years. This resonated centre & rear system has a bassy rumble without being overly raucous; it’s 3-inch in diameter, made of high-quality stainless steel, and comes with a variety of tail options.

    WedsSport Maverick 905S 2 Piece wheels, From £500

    Tarmac Sportz have opted for these 2-piece forged rims from Japan. They measure in at a healthy 9.5×19-inch (also available in 18s) and must be one of the best value 2-piece wheels on the market at £640 for a set of 19s.

    Bonnet dampers, £55

    Simple but effective, this is a real no-brainer mod. These quality little units are simple to fit, and will hold your bonnet open neatly instead of using the standard bonnet stay – this means that it’ll be easier to work on the engine, and the car will look cooler on the showground.

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  • Edd China begins work on a neglected 1982 Range Rover in “Workshop Diaries” episode 2

    Former “Wheeler Dealers” co-host Edd China is back with a new YouTube show called “Edd China’s Workshop Diaries,” where he tackles projects at his home garage. For the second episode, China begins work on a friend’s 1982 Land Rover Range Rover.

    Powered by the 3.5-liter V-8, this Range Rover saw plenty of off-road use, but was then parked for about 10 years. China is tasked with getting it running again.

    The first step is simply getting into the Range Rover, which requires a bit of penetrating fluid on the doors hinges, and getting the hood unstuck. This is why it’s not a good idea to leave a car sitting for so long.

    Edd China works on a 1982 Land Rover Range Rover

    Edd China works on a 1982 Land Rover Range Rover

    China then sets about diagnosing problems with the V-8, which won’t start. Because the Range Rover had been sitting for so long, China charges the battery and drains the fuel tank before even attempting to start it. Batteries won’t hold their charge indefinitely, after all, and gasoline will break down after awhile.

    With the battery charged and fresh gasoline in the tank, China tries firing up the engine. But while the V-8 turns over with no problems, he doesn’t get ignition. He can’t hear the fuel pump turn on, providing a clue about the problem. However, we’ll have to wait until a future episode to see if a faulty fuel pump is the issue.

    Midway through the episode, China takes his customary break for tea, and uses the time for a new segment in which he answers viewer questions. His car knowledge and engineering expertise come into play here with some smart answers, though there isn’t that much China can do remotely to help diagnose problems and come up with hands-on solutions.

    This is China’s third attempt at a YouTube show after leaving “Wheeler Dealers” over creative differences. Basically, he disagreed with new producer Discovery’s plan to skip the nerdier details in order to appeal to a more general audience. Those details are exactly what China is focusing in “Workshop Diaries,” so if you’re really into the nuts and bolts (no pun intended) of car restoration, give it a watch.

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