The Dragon – 1/2 Machine 1/2 Man
Most of the car show, drag, street racing and stock show car season slowly is going to sleep for the few months of winter. Don’t close your garage door just yet. There is one car that has been lighting up the New England (hailing from Maryland) car show circuit all summer, not going without notice. Seen recently at a show, November 6th 2010 in New Jersey. The DragOn. Ken Waldron’s 2004 Nissan 350Z. Modified…yes. Fantastically. From the outside….in. This machine is a collaboration of Nissan (manufacturing) Ken Waldron, Tom Bostic, Tom Strait and a whose who of sponsors that would make any car lover… grin. More on the collaboration soon.
Screaming down the highway this automobile sounds like a Jet is landing next to you …that would be the Vortec Supercharger delivering massive boost to the already sporty 350Z engine. In 2003 the Nissan won the International Car of the Year ” Most Sex Appeal” award from Road and Travel Magazine. In 2006 Nissan 350Z wins Best Performance Award from Auto Express. The awards don’t stop there rest assured.
Under the hood the Z comes stock with VQ35DE 3.5 L (210 cu in) V6, 287 bhp (214 kW) at 6,200 rpm, 274 ft·lbf (371 N·m) at 4,800 rpm.
With the master modifications of Tom Bostic and his team these numbers grow each year. This automobile is a rolling canvas you just have to HEAR to believe. While you are listening, your eyes surely will widen with The Dragons appearance. No detail left out. The theme is tantalizing mix of Japanese, Dragon, Good, Evil, and for sure POWER, as well as the power of each mentioned. You can see this in the amazing paint job and airbrushing detail of Tom Strait of Air Asylum. A hand painted, airbushed bottle that is art at its finest..in metals. The rollcage is painted a beautiful enticing bamboo with what appears to be a hollow end…which of course is solid metal. Katana swords grace the inside of the doors and I do mean grace fluidly. The MTX audio sound system in the dragon is nothing short of stereo nirvana. Custom made snake skin designed leather bucket seats that invite and tempt. Iconz Wheels will almost hypnotize you if you are looking to long. Paddle shifters make the gear change just that much faster. No detail left untouched. A delicious blend of metal and machine with a seductive touch this automobile is. Well done doesn’t cover it.
So what is in the future for such a fine polished machine you ask? More edge. More aggression. More Power. More detail. Rumors of a Corvette LS-1 engine, larger concave wheels, bigger injectors, cut throat front end body work a rear diffuser and so much more. I have to admit I am on the edge of my seat as I listen to Ken describe…an industrial edge not duplicated. That’s right this collaboration is on going and sure to be catching even more eyes and ears during the 2011 season.
If you’re lucky one of the eyes will be yours. Drag…on.
Ken Waldron would like to sincerely thank all the collaborators as well as the sponsors on his 2004 350Z in this article. They are as follows, Tom Bostic – Tommy Built, Tom Strait – Air Asylum Kustoms, On A Dime Performance Brakes – Alex Byrd, Iconz Wheels, Assaultech – Danny Spitery, MTX Audio, StreetWires -RedLine Design Justin Good
