Benjamin Warswick 1997 Infiniti Q45T
Nissan’s luxury division, Infiniti, upheld design feats and standards just as excellent as their parent company. The Infiniti Q45 was a luxury sedan that rivaled even the most renowned European brands, such as Mercedes, Jaguar, and Audi.
Lower angled shot of Benjamin Warswicks' 1997 Infiniti Q45T driver side wheel.
To Infiniti and Beyond
The Q45, a luxury sedan that ran from 1990 to 2006, spanned three generations. Its sport-oriented trim, the Q45T (Touring), only lasted through the first two generations, from 1990 to 2001. Though it only served for 11 years, the Q45T didn’t hold back, offering many impressive features and engineering aspects.
The Touring variant of the Infiniti Q45 came with several impressive features as standard. The suspension was sport-tuned, providing a more responsive and firmer driving experience. This luxury sedan also included advanced technology seen in cars like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, such as the HICAS four-wheel steering system. Cosmetically, it featured special touring wheels, tires, and additional exterior modifications beyond just badging.
Under the hood, the Q45T was powered by the 4.1L V8 Nissan VH41DE engine, producing just shy of 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. It came from the factory with a smooth-shifting 4-speed automatic transmission.
Lower front driver quarter angle of Benjamin Warswicks' 1997 Infiniti Q45T.
The Q Before Benny
For a luxury car like this, it comes as no surprise that in its past life, it was thoroughly enjoyed and driven. From the lot, this car was sold to a mobile surgeon in the great state of Texas. It was there that a whopping 170,000 miles were racked up on the odometer. Eventually, though, the hardworking man was due to retire his career and his tried-and-true Q45T. Thankfully, the car didn’t leave the family. The title was transferred to the surgeon's son, who was in his 30s.
Under the son's ownership, the car received the tender care it had earned from its many miles and eventually became more of a Sunday driver. Around 10,000 miles were put on the car under the son's name. The decision to drive it conservatively took the next step forward, as the car was put into storage in 2003. A decade passed, and in 2013, the family decided it was time for the car to find a new, passionate owner. This Q45T was then loaded onto the back of a trailer, without even having the key turned, and brought many miles from Texas to Northern Ohio, where it was finally unloaded in the township of Olmsted Falls for its new owner.
Lower centered front angle of Benjamin Warswicks' 1997 Infiniti Q45T.
Give a Mouse a Yamaha and He’ll want an Infiniti
Benjamin Warswick was in the oh-so-daunting task of restoring a 2001 Yamaha R6 motorbike when he came to the realization that bikes were not his passion. This decision led him to put the bike up for sale. This listing became the bridge between the Q45T and Warswick. The owner of the Q45T at the time reached out with the compelling offer of an even trade. Intrigued by the offer, Warswick and the owner met up and spoke extensively about the implications and outcome of the trade. Eventually, their hands met in a shake, and Warswick became the new owner of a 1997 Infiniti Q45T.
His expert planning led him to research his new vehicle after transferring titles. This is how he discovered that he was the owner of a notably rare luxury sedan based on its sales across the United States. Of course, with its driven and neglected history, Warswick found himself in a position to get a lot of work done on the Q45T.
Lowered detail shot of Benjamin Warswicks' 1997 Infiniti Q45T driver side tail-light from trunk center.
Japanese V8
Under the hood of this beastly ride is a Nissan VH41DE engine. This 4.1L V8 is naturally aspirated and rated at 270 horsepower at 5,600 RPM, with 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. This dual-overhead-camshaft (DOHC) engine was only produced from 1991 to 2001. It’s constructed with an aluminum block and cylinder heads, and instead of utilizing timing belts, this V8 uses timing chains. It also features Nissan's Variable Valve Timing Control (VTC) and has 4 valves per cylinder, for a total of 32 valves.
This car only came off the line with an automatic transmission, for better or worse. The 4-speed automatic transmission powers the rear wheels and has been slightly modified with the Stop-go transmission kit.
Mid angle of Benjamin Warswicks' 1997 Infiniti Q45T driver side from the rear door and back.
Benny’s VIP
Despite the modest internals of this car, Warswick was more focused on creating his dream car through cosmetics. The car is painted in Black Obsidian and emphasizes the VIP aesthetic with 5% tint everywhere except the windshield. The lowered chassis sits on BC Racing extreme low coils, entirely constructed of adjustable components. The wheels on this Q45T are polished Adohan DS-09 wheels, sized at 18x10.5 +15mm, fitted with Nitto G2 235/40 tires. Inside, Warswick has enhanced the driver's enjoyment with an aftermarket Sony-branded Apple CarPlay and Android Auto system.
Detail shot of the "WINGMAN GARAGE" sticker on the lower passenger corner of Benjamin Warswicks' 1997 Infiniti Q45T rear windshield taken from center trunk.
Every Mechanic Needs a Wingman
Warswick credits many of his accomplishments to Aaron, the owner of Wingman Garage in Wadsworth, OH. In addition to Wingman Garage, he credits much of his experience, work, and knowledge to everyone's favorite mechanic: YouTube.
'Without his generosity, knowledge, and business, I would never have been able to accomplish what I have with this vehicle. From tearing down the suspension system to nothing, rebuilding, wheel fitment, and alignments... Aaron CAN and WILL do it all if you're willing to learn.'
Eventually, Warswick would like to get a body kit fitted to his Q45T. He also has ambitions for a rear-end swap to achieve a different, more burnout-capable gear ratio. Warswick knows his 200,000-mile-and-counting motor will eventually fail, and when that happens, he plans to swap in a Chevrolet 350 small-block 5.7L V8. What a ride that would be…
