Alex Hammond - 1993 Nissan 300ZX Convertible
Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Efren Dorado (@_elite.media_)
The Z32 chassis has always carried its own sense of presence, even without modification. But when Alex Hammond came across his 1993 Nissan 300ZX convertible, the car was never meant to stay stock for long. Three years later, the car’s exterior and interior are nearly unrecognizable from how they began.
“I chose this car because it is different. It’s not a common car to see, let alone modified to this degree,” Hammond explains. “I’m a huge fan of Nissan—especially Z cars—and the Z32 is one of my favorite cars of all time!”
The convertible layout already made the car unique, but Hammond’s vision quickly pushed beyond factory distinction. Nearly every visible surface, inside and out, has been reworked, with carbon fiber and custom fabrication defining the build’s identity. The transformation began with a full repaint by Payton Paintz, laying the groundwork for what would become a deeply detailed exterior overhaul. A BN-style aero kit reshaped the car’s profile with new front, side, and rear elements, while clear side markers, custom JDM tail lights with chrome housings, and Origin Lab carbon canards helped sharpen the Z’s wedge-shaped presence.
Carbon fiber became the unifying theme. From the nose panel, mirrors, and hood to the convertible tonneau, top cover, and countless trim pieces, the material spreads across the car with intention. Bre Customs rear spats and a Twin Z Type 3 spoiler reinforce the look, while a custom upper windshield trim and Ionic Dynamics carbon door pillars complete the exterior’s tightly integrated aesthetic. Subtle lighting touches—including underglow and engine bay RGB—add atmosphere without overwhelming the car’s clean lines.
But the interior is where Hammond’s craftsmanship becomes undeniable. Nearly every factory surface has been rewrapped, reupholstered, or replaced, blending carbon fiber with high-end materials. R35 GT-R–style carbon seats mounted to Sparco brackets anchor the cockpit. From there, custom carbon work spreads through the door handles, vents, switchgear, steering column, gauge cluster, rearview mirror, and even the air compressors for the suspension. Few interiors in the Z32 world have seen this level of attention to detail.
A heavy dose of novasuede brings warmth and sophistication, appearing on the door cards, trans tunnel, glovebox, pillars, and a long list of surrounding trim. Diamond-stitched novasuede inserts elevate the trunk liner, dash pod, tank blanket, and seat pads, while a starlight trunk liner adds an unexpected touch of refinement.
While the engine bay carries a more conservative list of upgrades compared to the rest of the car, presentation remains a priority. Powdercoated phase-two intake and coolant components match the Mishimoto radiator and custom exhaust work, giving the bay a cohesive look that complements the build rather than trying to overshadow it.
For Hammond, this project was never about chasing horsepower or building a race car. It was about assembling a complete vision—an expression of style through material choices, craftsmanship, and design. What began as a lightly modified convertible with OEM+ intentions has evolved into something far more ambitious. His 300ZX now stands as a showcase of the Z32’s potential when its lines, materials, and personality are pushed to their limit.
Three years in, the build continues to evolve, but its identity is clear: a convertible Z32 reimagined through carbon fiber, high-end upholstery, and meticulous attention to detail. The result is a car that remains unmistakably a 300ZX, yet entirely reborn—proving just how far a vision can go once the “OEM+” plan leaves the table.
Originally featured in PASMAG Issue #183
Click here to order the PASMAG Issue #183 Nissan/Infiniti special issue.
ESSENTIALS
VEHICLE:
1993 Nissan 300ZX Convertible
LOCATION:
Plainfield, IL
HORSEPOWER:
222 whp
CLUB:
Team Elevate
SOCIAL:
IG: @that_stock_focus
ENGINE:
Phase 2 powdercoated intake manifold + Phase 2 powdercoated coolant plumbing + Z1 intakes + Mishimoto radiator
EXHAUST:
Custom exhaust system
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
Cusco rear strut bar + D2 Racing R32 air suspension + Z1 Motorsports rear lower control arms + Z1 Motorsports rear upper control arms + Megan front lower control arms + ISC front upper control arms
EXTERIOR:
Payton Paintz custom paint + BN-style front lip + BN-style side skirts + BN-style rear bumper + Clear side marker lights + Ionic Dynamics fog light vents + Ionic Dynamics carbon-fiber door pillars + Ionic Dynamics carbon-fiber nose panel + Custom carbon-fiber Ganador mirrors + Carbon-fiber convertible top cover + Carbon-fiber wind flap + Carbon-fiber convertible tonneau + Twin Z Type 3 carbon-fiber spoiler + Carbon Creations carbon-fiber hood + Custom JDM tail lights with chrome housings + Origin Lab carbon-fiber canards + Bre Customs carbon-fiber rear spats + Custom carbon-fiber upper windshield trim + Underglow + Engine bay RGB LED
INTERIOR:
Custom carbon-fiber and 24k gold door handles + Custom carbon-fiber window switches + Custom carbon-fiber door vents + Carbon-fiber steering column + Carbon-fiber dash gauges + Custom carbon-fiber seat belt trim + Carbon-fiber rearview mirror + Carbon-fiber mirror covers + Additional custom carbon interior trim + R35 GT-R–style carbon-fiber seats + Sparco low mount brackets + Ionic Dynamics carbon-fiber dash pod + Carbon-fiber window control panels + NRG carbon-fiber quick release and hub + Carbon-fiber steering wheel + Interior Innovations carbon-fiber arm rest + Carbon-fiber door pillar + Carbon-fiber waterfall + Carbon-fiber head unit surround + Carbon-fiber center console + Carbon-fiber ash tray + Carbon-fiber dash cluster + Carbon-fiber e-brake + Carbon-fiber door pulls + Carbon-fiber door arm rests + Diamond-stitched novasuede trunk liner + Diamond-stitched dash pod + Diamond-stitched tank blanket + Diamond-stitched door arm rest + Diamond-stitched trunk deck liner + Diamond-stitched seat pads + Novasuede door cards + Novasuede glovebox + Novasuede trans tunnel + Novasuede and carbon-fiber door panels + Novasuede rear finishing trim + Novasuede lower gauge cluster + Novasuede A-pillars + Novasuede roof latch trim + Novasuede B-pillars + Novasuede roll bar + Novasuede windshield headliner trim + Novasuede headliner + Carbon-fiber-covered air compressors + P2M floor mats + Starlight trunk liner
AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
Apple CarPlay head unit + Scar door speakers + Scar tweeters + Soundtron 12-inch subwoofer and amplifier
SPONSORS:
SB Powderhouse
PHOTO CREDIT:
Photography by Efren Dorado — @_elite.media_
GALLERY
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