SP Rides: A Mix of ‘Margarita’
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Willie Jones
Age: 43
Occupation: Retired
Hobbies: Surfing, paddle-boarding, cars
Year/Make/Model: 2012 Nissan 370Z Nismo
Color: Red
Engine: STILLEN-Supercharger Chrome System with 411 RWHP with tuning via UpRev, STILLEN- Magnaflow Stainless Steel Cat-Back Exhaust Systems, STILLEN- SETRAB Oil Cooler Kit – Race 24row, K&N Filter- Part of Stillen Supercharger Sys, CSF Radiator- Racing (Radiator + Condenser), Z-Store- Carbon Fiber Hood Damper Kit, STILLEN- Supercharger Engine Cover-Red & Black Carbon Fiber “Hydrographics”, OEM- Battery Cover/ OEM Brake fluid Cover-Red & Black Carbon Fiber “Hydrographics”, Z1 Motorsports- Silicone Radiator & Overflow Hose (red)
Interior: REMIN® – 14 Pcs. Real Carbon Fiber, Lumen® – License Plate Light Red LED Bulbs, Lumen® – Map Light Red LED Bulbs, Lumen® – Trunk/Cargo Area Light Red LED Bulbs, NISMO- Seats with WetOkole seat covers, NISMO- Pedals, Legit Lighting- Upgrade Headlight Bulbs
ICE: Pioneer- AVH-P8400-2-DIN Multimedia DVD Receiver with 7-inch Widescreen Touch Panel Display, Box- 12 Subwoofer Custom Speaker Box, Diamond- 600W RMS MonoBlock Class A/B Car Amplifier, VIBE AUDIO- Space 12 Subwoofer 3000 watts (max), DSK 165- HERTZ 6.5-inches 2-WAY 160W Front Speakers
Exterior: STILLEN- Front Fascia and Mesh Grille Insert, NISMO- Side Skirts, STILLEN- Roof Wing-Carbon Fiber Wrapped, SEIBON- TS-style carbon fiber hood with painted Red Mesh Inserts, OEM- B-Pillars- Carbon Fiber Wrapped, Vertical Doors- Lambo Doors, Z1 Motorsports- Big “Z” Front & Rear Emblem, Chrome with Black Carbon Fiber
Suspension: Nismo- STRUT BAR Chrome Electroplated, Coilovers: R1 Suspension System, SPC- Camber Kit in Caster/Camber Kits
Wheels/Brakes/Tires: XIX29 Matte Black with SS Lip Wheels by XIX Exotic, FRONT WHEEL SIZE: 20-inch DIAMETER (20 inches x 8.5 inches), REAR WHEEL SIZE: 20 inches DIAMETER (20 inches x 10 inches), Z1 Motorsports- CNC Aluminum Bolt-On Wheel Spacers 20mm Front and 30mm rear, R1 Concepts- cross-drilled-slotted-rotors, R1 Concepts- Posi Quiet Ceramic Brake Pads
Over the years, Willy Jones has owned many different rides, from American muscle to European luxury. He started out with Hondas, but import-wise he’s come to appreciate the Nissan brand in a big way. In fact, he especially loves Z’s, having owned a 280Z previously.
Willy wanted a track-ready performance vehicle that could provide the adrenaline rush he craved, so this week’s featured car — a 2012 Nissan 370Z NISMO — was a great choice. Buying the NISMO spec edition meant it came from the factory with increased horsepower and all-around performance, which made it a fantastic starting point for Willy.
Named after his wife, “Margarita,” the ride has a large list of performance mods, but the standout feature is the STILLEN Supercharger. Combined with the UpRev tuning along with a Magnaflow stainless steel cat-back exhaust system, it churns out 411 RWHP — a nice and tasty upgrade from the stock power.
“I wanted enough power to feel it, but not too much to make it unwieldy. And I can keep my warranty,” says Willy.
The car showcases choice upgrades for the track, including some amazing R1 Concepts cross-drilled and slotted rotors and Posi Quiet ceramic brake pads. An R1 Suspension System was combined with an SPC Camber Kit to improve overall handling, while cooling was enhanced with a CSF Radiator and a STILLEN SETRAB Oil Cooler Kit.
Additionally, Jones has combined NISMO side skirts with a SEIBON TS-style carbon fiber hood and STILLEN exterior mods, such as a front fascia and grille insert plus a choice carbon fiber wrapped roof wing. Carbon fiber B-pillar inserts also help add more detail to the ride. All of this sits on some beautiful XIX29 Matte Black with SS Lip wheels by XIX Exotic.
The interior hasn’t been ignored and sports highly crafted seat covers by Wet Okole that look practically OEM. The lights have been upgraded all around with Lumen brand LEDs and the sounds are rocking with a gnarly VIBE AUDIO 12-inch subwoofer that’s custom built into the rear of the car. Powering the system are a Pioneer AVH-P8400 2-Din receiver and a 600W Diamond RMS MonoBlock Amplifier.
Willy has used this ride to establish one of the largest Facebook car clubs on the Internet. With more than 48,000 subscribers, the Nissan 370Z Car Club is absolutely enormous and a true testament to the love many have for the Z brand. Willy has really learned from his experience and reiterates a few points.
“I built this car because it’s what I want,” he says. “I believe that you should pretty much build your car for you.”
