SEMA 2024: Nissan 300ZX Widebody by Shea Seefeldt

If there’s one thing the SEMA Show never fails to deliver, it’s bold builds that mix unexpected performance with radical style. These are the type of custom vehicles you will find in the Toyo Tires Treadpass pavilion. Among the many high quality vehicles at the 2024 event was a striking Nissan 300ZX Z23, built by Shea Seefeldt in collaboration with 10 Tenths Motorsports in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

This isn’t your average Z car. Under the hood, the original Nissan engine has been swapped in favor of American muscle: a GM LS3 V8. But it’s not just any LS3. It’s been upgraded with PRC heads from Texas Speed, dual valve springs, titanium retainers, and a GPI SS4 camshaft, giving it that extra boost of power.

The exterior grabs attention with a Pandem widebody kit, complete with enlarged wheel openings to house the aggressive stance and oversized rubber. The car rolls on gold-plated Rohana wheels that were designed in collaboration with Rocket Bunny, and wrapped in Toyo tires, of course.
Now, those dramatically flared fenders might not appeal to every purist out there, but I’ll be honest: I sort of dig them on this car. They give the 300ZX a lot more personality than the typical appliance aesthetic found in many Japanese cars.

This build is a perfect example of what happens when you combine creativity, craftsmanship, and a willingness to break the mold. This Z23 is not just a showpiece, it’s a statement.

For more, follow @shea_seefeldt and @10tenthsmotorsports in Instagram.

The Death Of Visability And The Age Of Driving Blind

1985-mercury-sable-rearAll modern cars seem to be burdened with the task of keeping their occupants safe at all costs.  Which is a good thing, because all modern cars are impossible to see out of.  High beltlines create a claustrophobic sitting-in-a-bathtub feeling, and impossibly huge C-pillars bring visibility to near zero.  To me this is a chicken and egg situation.  Is it better to drive a tank with its hatch shut or actually see what you are doing? Continue reading

1996 Nissan 240SX with Chevy LS V8 Swap

nissan-240sx-ls2-swap-rearIn the world of motorsports, the Nissan 240SX is the poster child of drifting. These cars are often modified to slide sideways and generate as much tire smoke as possible – a juvenile use of a car when compared to precision automotive events like autocross, drag racing, and rally racing.

This car, however, is not guilty by association. It is tasteful in appearance, with nary an anodized tow hook or band-aid sticker to be seen. This is not some teenager’s ironic drift machine – this is a serious street car that competed in the Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge in Las Vegas in 2014.

Continue reading

Datsun 280ZX with Chevy LS1 V8 Swap

datsun-280zx-ls1-swap-frontFor the second post in our series of engine swaps, I bring you this Datsun 280ZX with the rumble of a Chevrolet LS1 engine! Somebody really took their time and effort to make this an all-around fun car.

Besides the engine, this car has also been upgraded with Wilwood disc brakes, a nice stereo, custom gauges, and other comforts. The body looks sharp in red with chrome trim and a subtle body kit on the front and rear.

Continue reading

1987-1990 Nissan Pulsar Sportbak

During the space race of the 1960s, Americans were captivated by the idea of space travel. It permeated every aspect of our culture, from songs and TV shows to magazine articles and an explosion of science fiction entertainment. Automotive manufacturers were quick to hop on the bandwagon, giving their latest models out-of-this-world names like Ford Galaxie, Mercury Meteor, and Oldsmobile StarFire.

After the moon landing in 1969 and the final Apollo mission in 1972, the country’s burning interest in the space program was reduced to a flicker. However in the 1980s, there was a resurgence of space-inspired names as a whole new generation of vehicles adopted galactic monikers. Here are a few examples:

Continue reading