NEXT GENERATION DIARIES
Lucien Pickford vowed to own his movie ‘ hero car’ one day. His determination was finally rewarded after 14 years. Then came the two-year restoration…
HOW DID YOU COME TO OWN YOUR CLASSIC?
‘One of my biggest influences started way back when I was just ten years old and watching the Fast & Furious movie Tokyo Drift, in which a guy agrees to try drift-racing against someone called DK who runs a very special Nissan 350Z; if only he’d known that ‘DK’ stood for Drift King! Predictably, the 350Z – with very special ‘VeilSide’ bodykit and ‘Ghostlight’ graphics – becomes the movie’s hero car. I was only young but my desire to own that 350Z only grew over time. By the time I saw this car advertised for sale, as a low-mileage but incomplete project, I had waited 14 years to turn my dream into a reality.’
WHAT DO YOU USE IT FOR IT?
‘I respect people who use their classic show cars sparingly, but my philosophy is ‘Who knows what’s in the future?’ so I enjoy driving my car every day of the year – for work during the week and at shows at weekends.
There was a lot to do to turn this abandoned project into a faithful movie tribute; I found and imported correct JDM LED headlights, sequential rear indicators and a correct ‘Seibon’ TS-style carbon bonnet.
Inside, I’ve installed a Google Nexus tablet infotainment system, along with a custom suede dashboard and carbon-dipped centre console and door inserts. The 350Z is a usable modern classic so every drive is huge fun and it’s surprisingly economical if you are sensible.’
WHAT WOULD YOUR OWNERSHIP TIPS BE?
‘Don’t be tempted to rush or cut corners when restoring. Go to specialists. Buy genuine parts. Talk to fellow enthusiasts. And build up a network of trusted contacts.
Joe at Carfellaz in Wyboston did the amazing paintwork for me and Dom at WrapIT replicated the movie’s complex Ghostlight graphics. Build up an insurance no claims bonus; it also helps my premium now that I’m 26. My car was an incomplete project needing body and mechanical work but the car’s bodykit was a genuine ‘VeilSide’ like the movie car. However, sourcing the missing parts from Japanese specialists wasn’t easy or cheap; tracking down the correct spoiler alone took me six months. But the car is now the only genuine ‘VeilSide’ in the UK.’
WHAT DO YOU SEE BEING IN YOUR GARAGE IN FIVE YEARS’ TIME?
‘I got into the JDM ( Japanese Domestic Market) car culture very early, so an ‘80s Nissan Skyline R31 for a custom build or restomod would be a fabulous second project. But right now I’m enjoying the 350Z. The V3 widebody kit is now finally complete and I have installed the carbon engine covers and LED rear lights. Future plans include replacing the diamond stitc
