This year’s RADwood in Detroit was packed with stunning classic and modified vehicles. The event was a treat for motor enthusiasts interested in turbocharged rides from the 1980s and 1990s.
Perhaps one of the most head-turning cars at the event was a breathtaking Supercharged 1984 Nissan 300ZX. We had the good fortune of interviewing the passionate and knowledgeable owner of this beauty. His name is Brandon Biller, and not only is he the car’s owner, but he utilized his immense automotive and engineering expertise to modify and revitalize this classic Nissan.
Brandon found his Nissan 300ZX for sale on Craigslist for a mere $1,000. Unsurprisingly, he committed a great deal of blood, sweat, and aftermarket parts to bring this beauty to life. Now he enjoys cruising around in his one-of-a-kind sports car on summer days as well as on special occasions. He drove this beauty to West Michigan for his wedding just two weeks before RADwood.
Let’s take a look at the history of the legendary 1984 Nissan 300ZX and dive into Brandon Biller’s remarkable supercharged, custom-modified version of this classic.
History of the 1984 Nissan 300ZX
The Japanese automotive manufacturer Nissan has had plenty of dazzling vehicles in its lengthy history, such as the Nissan Skyline, Datsun Fairlady 1500, and the more recent Nissan GTR. Nissan is known for its reliable vehicles that are sleek, sporty, and often groundbreaking.
The stunning 1984 Nissan 300ZX is no exception. The attractive and speedy Nissan cruised its way onto the automotive scene in the United States in 1984. It was the successor to the Nissan 240Z. The Nissan 300ZX was known as the Nissan Fairlady Z in Japan, as was the case with previous iterations, such as the 240Z and S130.
Americans who adored Japanese sports cars had two stylish Nissan 300ZX trim models to choose from: the GL and GLL. The car sported a V6 single overhead cam engine, and drivers had the choice of a naturally aspirated VG30E with 160 hp or a turbocharged VG30ET with 200 hp.
According to Car and Driver, the 1984 Nissan 300ZX Turbo clocked 60 miles per hour in just 7.3 seconds when mated with a 4-speed Jatco E4N71B automatic engine. Ultimately, the vehicle had a top speed of 134 mph.
The Nissan 300ZX proved to be a hit in North America, as Nissan sold 70,000 units in 1985 alone. Today, the iconic Nissan 300ZX 1984 remains a cherished cruiser among motor enthusiasts.
The RADwood Detroit Nissan 300 ZX
While the Nissan 300ZX is a much beloved classic car, many have observed that it’s not for the faint of heart. It requires a great deal of upkeep and care. Fortunately, Brandon Biller was more than ready for the task when he bought his Nissan 300ZX from Craigslist nine years ago.
Brandon knew his work was cut out for him from the beginning. The Nissan he bought wasn’t contained within a singular original shell. Instead, it was actually two separate shells that a previous owner had welded together following a devastating crash. Brandon even discovered that the vehicle was an inch shorter on one of its sides. He obtained a new, unharmed Nissan 300ZX shell following this revelation.
Throughout his journey bringing this Nissan to life, Brandon came up with new, creative ways to customize and improve his sports car. He replaced the Nissan’s defunct original engine with a VG33 sourced from a wrecked Nissan Pathfinder. The VG33 is a 3.3-liter variant of the VG30, making it an appropriate addition. Brandon rebuilt this VG33 and fitted it with his most original addition: an Eaton Supercharger.
The 1984 Nissan 300ZX Eaton Supercharger and Other Impressive Modifications
The story of how Brandon obtained his Eaton Supercharger is humorous and makes his custom Nissan all the more impressive. Brandon was employed by Eaton and actually worked on their superchargers. The company had a pre-production supercharger test unit that was no longer needed. Brandon immediately saw the supercharger’s potential for his Nissan 300ZX and saved it from being thrown away.
From there, he welded together a custom intake manifold to utilize in conjunction with his VG33. Additional work he completed for his engine and supercharger included an adapter for running an ATI damper as well as a large crank pulley for the engine’s blower. He also made another adapter to install a new R134a AC compressor. Subsequent additions included a larger alternator, electric fans, and electric-hydraulic steering sourced from a Mini Cooper. Further, he made a block-off plate for the car’s LS coils and installed an MS3-Pro MegaSquirt-based injection system, enabling full sequential coil per plug.
Brandon’s impressive additions to this classic Nissan don’t stop under the hood – he installed a digital dashboard inspired by the 1980s, giving it a nostalgic and pleasant green glow. He and his wife also reupholstered the car’s seats and refreshed the interior.
This car is truly a sight to behold, and the motor enthusiasts at Classic Auto are certainly in awe of Brandon’s hard work and creativity.
Protect Your Modified Sports Car with Classic Auto
Whether you’re driving a factory-original classic or a modified powerhouse like Brandon’s Supercharged 1984 Nissan 300ZX, you need classic car insurance to preserve your show-stopping beauty.
Here at Classic Auto, we craft custom policies perfectly suited for our clients’ cars. Our policies are based on agreed-upon value, and we offer exceptional benefits, such as rollover miles, inflation guard, and nationwide roadside assistance with flatbed towing.
Ready to learn more?
Call us today at 888-901-1338, or get a quote online here.
