Guard Rolling on a Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo
Every now and then, a car rolls into the shop that reminds you why you fell in love with this industry in the first place. Today was one of those days. Getting the chance to work on a classic 300ZX Twin Turbo — and one that’s still in genuinely decent condition for a daily — is something I don’t take for granted. These cars deserve respect, because their story is bigger than most people remember.
The “Porsche Killer” That Time Forgot
Back in 1989, the Z32 300ZX Twin Turbo earned a reputation strong enough to shake the European scene.
People called it the Porsche killer — and not as a joke. It held its own in performance, handling, and engineering. It was Nissan at its peak: brave, ambitious, and unafraid to challenge giants.
But history wasn’t as kind to the Z32 as it was to Skylines, Supras, Evos, or even Silvias.
Plenty of these were neglected, modified poorly, or simply driven into the ground. The cult following faded, parts got harder, and only a small number of Australians bothered restoring them with the respect they deserve. Seeing one in good shape today is becoming rare.
Fixing the Fitment: Why the Car Came In
This particular 300ZX came in with aftermarket wheels that were rubbing — the classic “looks great until you actually drive it” situation. Instead of living with that annoying scrubbing, the owner did the smart thing and booked the car in for proper guard rolling at AutoFX WA.
The car had been resprayed, which normally puts us on high alert because fresh or non-factory paint can crack easily when metal starts moving. But credit to whoever painted it — and to the technique used — because the guards rolled beautifully with no paint damage at all.
Clean folds.
No fractures.
Exactly how you want a job like this to end, especially on a classic that’s becoming more appreciated again.
A Car That Deserved Better Recognition
The Z32 never truly got the love it earned, especially here in Australia. It wasn’t plastered across posters the way Skylines or Supras were, and it didn’t get the hype wave that came with the internet era. But for the people who know — really know — the 300ZX is still one of the most underrated performance cars of its generation.
Seeing one looked after, restored, and kept alive on the road is honestly refreshing. Cars like this deserve to survive. And today, we played a small part in making sure this one keeps driving without issues.
A Thank You to Wayne
Wayne, thanks for being exactly the kind of customer every workshop wishes they had.
Two things stood out:
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Trusting us with your classic — not everyone hands over a car with this much history without hesitation.
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Showing up early — something that almost never happens anymore (and sometimes people don’t show up at all). That level of respect goes a long way.
Good customers make good work even more enjoyable. It really does go both ways.
Another Perth Classic Saved, Another Day Doing What We Love
This job wasn’t just about fixing a rubbing issue. It was about breathing a bit more life into a car that shaped Japanese performance culture — whether people remember it or not.
Working on the 300ZX Twin Turbo today was a privilege. And seeing it leave the shop without rubbing, without damage, and with guards rolled cleanly… that’s the kind of result that makes everything worth it. 21/5 Hines Road O’Connor WA 6163
