The ‘Fast and Furious’ Z life
How one automotive enthusiast ended up securing and building the head-turning car of his dream
Napoleon Torres is a big believer in having a healthy work-life balance. The entrepreneur is the co-founder of Wired Carbon, a business that has been virtual since its inception in 2014.
“I’ve once read that the newest measurement of success is no longer how many dollars are in your bank account, but how much free time you have,” said Torres.
Being able to work remotely means that the company’s employees can apply those recovered commuting hours to time spent with family and enjoying life. For Torres, that translated to having time to pursue his hobby of modifying vehicles.
It also allowed for Torres and his wife to uproot from downtown Toronto and move to a log home with nine acres of land in Madoc. The ample space allowed the amateur mechanic to build a garage that’s equipped with chests of tools, air compressors and a couple of vehicle hoists so that he and his friends could tinker and work on multiple cars simultaneously.
Torres counts a 2019 Dodge Ram 2500 — he’s wife’s dream car when they first met — as his daily driver. He’s also into motorcycles, listing the 2012 Ducati 848 EVO Corse and an extremely modified 2012 Harley Davidson Softail Cross Bones in his collection.
However, Torres has always had an affinity to the Nissan Z lineage — from the Datsun to the twin turbocharged Z32 and its successor 350Zs made famous thanks to “The Fast And Furious: Tokyo Drift.” As a Nissan Maxima owner in the mid-2000s, Torres was involved in Nismo Club, where he was exposed to car culture and developed a soft spot for the Z life.
When he stumbled on a fully loaded 2016 Nissan 370Z Sport Touring with 11,000 kilometres for $25,000, Torres immediately jumped on the purchase.
He tells us why he loves his car. “The Z lineage, from the 350Z to the 370Z, has the VQ engine. That engine has all the features I look for in an engine: it’s balanced, naturally aspirated, and performs very well. Based on information I compiled from car forums and the car community, I focused (my search) on 2016 and newer models because of improved reliability.
“I love the car: I think they did an incredible job with the design — the lines are great, the sound, and its performance. The 370Z also came fully loaded with an Akebono big brake kit, a set of 19-inch forged wheels, and has a six-speed manual transmission.
“But I look at the vehicle as my canvas. It’s an extension of my personality and a creative outlet that I love to build and drive. I’ll always be ideating modifications or add-ons, so it’s a work in progress. I’ve probably spent close to $20,000 partswise. That doesn’t include any labour since I do it all myself. If I don’t know how to do the work, I learn how to do it.”
While his father instilled in him an interest and ability to build and fix cars before he was old enough to drive, Torres also credits mechanic Marco Bifolchi from M’s Motoring for being his go-to resource with all his car-building needs. To date he has replaced the clutch, the flywheel, and the break master cylinder, amongst a laundry list of other installations.
Then there’s the car’s eye-catching exterior. Besides a carbon fibre engine cover and wing, aggressivelooking front bumper and rear window louvres, there is a koi fish sakura livery by Spinnywhoosh Graphic. While Torres applied the vinyl decals on himself, he was aided by his nephews — Matty, 5, and Max, 3 — who picked where the petals would go on the car.
Living up to the “Fast and Furious” title, the car is also equipped with a showy underglow. Those who’ve encountered Torres’ ride in person, have likely seen, and heard, the hiss of his electronically controlled adjustable Air Lift suspension system in action.
“It’s definitely noticeable,” said Torres of his highly modified 370Z. “Some people consider it a show car, but I made sure it’s functional — that I can drive it all year-round. Yes, it’s tricked out, but its still within reason and is street legal. I’m making sure it’s meeting all emission standards and I’m not deleting any safety modules. My Z is 100 per cent safety standards certifiable, which means I can enjoy my car without any hesitation or concerns.
“I don’t track this car. If I’m ever going to track a vehicle, I will build it purposely and have it trailered to the track and trailered home. I do aspire to do that one day if funds allow. I used to do hardcore modifications and took my car to import festivals and everything, but I literally put in one tank of gas for the year. What’s the fun in that? Cars are meant to be driven and enjoyed, and I built this one that way.”
THIS ARTICLE WAS EDITED FOR SPACE AND CLARITY. WANT TO BE FEATURED IN WHY I LOVE MY VEHICLE? EMAIL US AT WHEELS@THESTAR.CA. RENÉE S. SUEN IS A TORONTO-BASED LIFESTYLE WRITER/PHOTOGRAPHER AND A FREELANCE CONTRIBUTOR FOR THE STAR. FOLLOW HER ON TWITTER: