Potential Project cars:
240Z: transplant an RB26, hardcore internals, add boost, 2.5-3" mandrel bent exhaust, nice sounds, jet black paint (or maybe a red/black combo - not mixed but you know some bits black some red), light-weight 17" mags, Falken Azenis tyres, big rotors (slotted), big calipers, ground control coilovers, stiffened body (sway bars, braces).
144 Volvo: again an RB26 (though RB30 would do), custom gear box (or an existing one that had the desired ratios), dual plate clutch, 2.5" exhaust with an on/off baffle, lower about 1.5", 7 series rotors (slotted)+calipers, stiffer shocks and springs, nice 16" genuine Volvo mags if I could find any if not existing 15", 2x 12" kenwood subs in the boot, aluminium fuel tank, immersed fuel pump, remove commando bumpers, racing bucket seats, new paint work (keep existing orange), replace trim and carpetting (gray/blue).
Oh and both would get stainless steal, braided brake lines, racing brake fluid, a dab of dishwashing detergent in the cooling, 20w-70 fully synthetic oil, large front mount intercooler, battery moved to the boot, new gauges (speedo, odo, tach, oil pressure, oil temp, coolant temp, boost) adjustable shocks.
With both the guiding principle would be subtlety concealing power. The Z would naturally look more aggressive however both would be externally fairly subdued. Nothing garish just nice clean, straight body, good paint, tasteful mags, with big rotors peeping out.
Ultimate goal of the Z: Old school cool + performance that'll tear your balls off = serious street cred.
Ultimate goal of 144: Sleeper. Imagine this sitting at the lights Bogan in a VP clubsport pulls up jokes 'bloody volvo driver'. Clearly intends on dragging off the lights. Lights go green, Volvo pulls away aka back to the future style. Bogan comments 'Bloody fast volvo though'. That and the looks of consternation and suprise on peoples faces when they see the awesome Volvo drifting.