SP Rides: The Import Babe With The 350Z
BY MICHAEL KITCHENS
Name: Shanda May
Occupation: Sales clerk at Chocolate Store
Hobbies: Beach, friends, clubbing, racing
Year, Make, Model: 2004 Nissan 350Z
Color: Riviera Blue
Engine: Greddy Tuner TT kit, Greddy 440 injectors, Greddy e-manage, Greddy front mount intercooler, Greddy turbo timer, HKS blow off valve, custom intake manifold, custom painted engine covers, custom blacked out pipes, nitrous express purge system, custom exhaust system
Interior: Custom R35 GTR seats, NRG steering with quick release
Exterior: Custom Riviera Blue paint, SSpeed front bumper, Nismo side skirts, Nismo rear spats, custom rear diffuser, custom black headlights, custom 370z side markers, custom blacked out taillights, APR GTC-300 spoiler
Suspension: D2 racing coil overs
Wheels/Brakes/Tires: Volk GT-S 19-by-8.5-inch front and 19-by-10.5-inch rear, custom color-matched Brembo calipers with cross-drilled rotors, custom painted with color matched hardware
Shanda May is already known as one of the sexiest models in the import scene today. With more than 81,000 Instagram followers she’s definitely not your average local girl — although she’s very Hawaiian at heart. Having been featured steadily in the import car show scene since 2012, one might think that’s where May’s love of imports began, however that’s not the case; her family’s shared passion of the automotive scene was the start.
Since she was eight years old, May visited many car shows thanks to her aunties and uncles, who were part a VW club called “Eurotechnic.” She also spent a large amount of time hanging out with her grandpa, who worked on cars during his spare time, even to this day.
Although May has owned nothing but sporty cars thus far, this 2004 Nissan 350Z is her dream car. After a long search — for low mileage and a decent base to build from — she purchased the ride off of Craigslist in straight cash. Together with Mike at GX Auto, May came up with a game plan that would bring her imagination to life.
Yearning for something that really grabbed her, she went with a full custom repaint of Riviera Blue, which knocks you out. The ensemble of body parts further packs the punch with an SSpeed front bumper, NISMO side skirts and rear spats, a custom rear diffuser and black headlights. Throw in a bit more and that stunning APR GTC-300, and you’ve got a looker on your hands.
Next, came the full custom Greddy turbo kit and engine upgrades. Combined with a laundry list of engine modifications as well as the OEM power of the Z, Shanda is now a turbo-addict thanks to the oodles of power on-tap. The addition of a Nitrous Express system provides even more ludicrous potential.
The interior has been treated to an NRG steering wheel with quick release hub while the custom R35 GTR seats help provide stability while driving. Takata harnesses round out the equation for extra holding power which is probably a good thing considering this baby runs on Volk GT-S wheels at a very appreciable 19-by-8.5-inch in the front and 19-by-10.5-inch in the rear. Huge Brembo calipers with cross-drilled rotors provide stopping power for the Federal Super Steel 595s.
Currently, this Z is running static on D2 Racing coilovers, but she has way more plans for her blue dynamo which include air suspension and an upcoming sound installation that should add some extra oomph as well as some other things that will most definitely knock people’s socks off.
“Building this car has opened my eyes. (I’ve realized) you can do anything, you just gotta go for it,” said May. So when you see her modeling in front of this blue bombshell, just remember: Shanda May isn’t just an import babe, she’s got a Z to go with it.
