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The VAD Purple wide body GTR returns

Updated: Oct 11, 2021

We have had a few very special GTR days of late as well as expanding our line of carbon fibre parts specifically for the MY17 and upwards, for the last couple of yeras we have been as for the latest GT3 style street front and rear bumpers upgrades, but that’s for another day, as the GTR that has given us the thrills over that last couple of weeks is the Purple beauty we built back in 2014, its returned and to say we are excited is a bit of an understatement.


We really should dislike this GTR immensely, as when the car was constructed its caused various in-house business related management issues, of which we will blog abaout at some point over the coming months, but as they say something good comes out of something bad and for us this car is proof of that is fact as this is one GTR we have a huge softspot for and who can blame us ... just look at it.

 
 

When the car was sold back in 2014 it headed down to Dorsett and pretty much went off the radar for a few years, it did resurface in 2018 when owner Steve got in touch looking for some modifications he was considering, as well as wanting recomendations for a paint specialist, with Lee from LA paintworks in Milton Keynes our firm recomendation for that bit of love and affection, it also gave us the chance to meet up with Steve to dicuss the modifications he was considering, which unfortuantly never materialised.


A few months later we were very surprised to see the car advertised for sale at The Motoring Team, but it was good seeing the purple beauty back on our daily media feeds, with the TMT tagging us on every post they did and looking just as good as the day it was built thanks to the guys at LA Paint and it and it wasn’t long before the car was sold with the potential owner reaching out asking us all about the GTR, we're happy to report two weeks later Matt Straughan purchased the GTR and is now the proud new owner and we couldn’t be happier, at last the car now has an owner who will get the car out and about, its one very unique GTR and one that deserves the limelight.

We don’t think Matt had the car a week and he hit Knight Racer, with Albert Wong caressing the power adding their in-house KR650 tune, so it now has the power to match those astonishingly good looks, all kept under control with the Meister coilover suspension, we have a feeling this power upgrade is merely the starting point, with more to come in the future.

 
 

So what is in store for this Carbon fibre wide body beauty, well to be honest it really doesn’t need much enhancing, the colour and the look of the car is absolutly perfect, the wheels are as new as the GTR sits on our light weight 3 piece forged VAD CR Evo in size 12x21 front and 13x21 rear, wrapped in 345/25R21 rubber , although there will be a few tasteful carbon fibre upgrades in the future including a rear wing at some point, we feel thats all the car needs, but as you can see from the stunning photoshoot done by LP Media this car just oozes attention, Lucian showing his incredible lens skills capturing some of the best photos we have seen of this wide body GTR and the good thing is he is a man for hire, find his details at the bottom of this post and tell him the guys at VAD sent you.


The most satisfying part of building a car is seeing it completed and out in the public eye, being in the hands of a petrol head is a bonus, Matt is active within the car scene and will use the car as it should be used, car shows, cruises, photoshoots, as a car like this needs to be seen up close and personal and we are just ecstatic that a guy like Matt has ended up with one of our builds.


Lets hope 2021 we have plenty of car shows to make up for the 2020 right off, so we can once again drool over this rather epic machine, well done Matt and welcome to the VAD family.


Follow the guys and LP Media and Matt on his GTR travels




BMW (e89) Z4 GT3 GEN-2 Street

The Gen 1 BMW Z4 GT3 has been a very successful programme for us, so it seemed like a no brainer to introduce the Gen 2 which is a more aggressive looking conversion compared to the conversion it superseded, with lots of customers asking us what is different about the two conversions, so here is a little run down of the differences between them that most people do not see.

The first major change is up the front end with the front bonnet, it goes from two aerocatches to 3 and where the Gen 1 front flare cuts off aggressively exposing the rear part of the front tyre, the Gen 2 front flare blends back into the rear area of the hood, it’s also slightly wider than the Gen 1 set up, the Gen 2 is a smoother look, more aero dynamic, it’s also a wider to house the 12x18 front race wheel and 315/680R18 slick race tyre.

 
 

Another detail change was the side skirts, the gen 2 has the more aggressive sweep and a larger opening for rear brake cooling, it also has a neat little canard to aid with air flow and downforce, it’s a small detail but extremely effective, these sills feed into and make up part of the rear flare which is so much wider than the original Gen 1 set up, it just looks so much better at the rear from any angle, it’s such a muscular look which we prefer.

 
 

So what makes our conversion so different to the rest, well for starters we are the only company to offer the complete front and rear bumper grill sets, as well as grills for the hood vents we also offer the authentic Gen 2 rear wing assembly with the dual blades, end caps, gurney, supports with quick release fixings.


Get in touch if you feel like taking the plunge into building your very own BMW Z4 Street.


 

Speedwells 280ZX V8 Turbo Build

Its been a while since we have blogged about the Speedwell's Datsun 280ZX V8 Turbo build, so we thought it was about time we showcased exactly what’s been happening, it has been timely process but as it’s a ground up restoration as well as the huge list of one off modifications, the time scale can be forgiven.


The last time we discussed the build the car was in full chassis strip down and had just gone in for paint, we are pleased to report lots of yummy upgrades have been added since the glossy white top coat finish.

 
 

The V8 Engine with additional turbo and gear box has been installed, with the exhaust under construction, what we do know is that it will be a twin exit set up with some trick looking tail pipe ends, that will enhance the custom bespoke built gloss black Speedwell's diffuser that adorns the rear underside of the Datsun, which is a sexy upgrade for the bumper-less ZX, another little touch we love about the rear is the black rear light panel that gives the rear such a menacing look.


All of the upgraded coilover suspension, roll bars and brakes are also fitted and in place, along with the custom over fenders have now been painted and on the car just waiting on the FOM Performance wheels that are currently on route from the European HQ.


The wheel choice is an exceptional one with our European wheel partners FOM performance really stepping up, giving the build a period correct style mesh design in the form of the 3 piece Weave 17, its an old school look with a modern forged twist, measuring 9x17 up front and 11x18 at the business end that will be wrapped in Nankang NS2R tyres, measuring 235/40R7 & 285/35R18 front and rear respectively, Nankang is a brand we really wanted to work with on this build and happy to say they have done us proud.

 
 

The build is really starting to gather some pace with Iby putting in some hours on the car, we know exactly how meticulous he is, so we are really excited to see the car come to fruition, we will update more as the ZX progresses.


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