Nick TurnerInstant gratification. A concept that many of the older generation would argue is a plague of the younger generation. With most things in life, there are exceptions and Sandys 240z build is certainly a great example of this.
I first met Sandy when I picked up some overflow freelance work at the production house he was working at. As is the way with car dudes, we quickly figured out we have that in common and he had alluded to a 240z build that he was slowly chipping away at. A few weekends back my daily driver Audi S3 needed an oil change so it seemed like a great opportunity to hang out and get that sorted whilst checking out the 240 build in person.
To cut to the details, it’s an Australian delivered 1973 chassis, purchased from a Melbourne based Z aficionado. After 3 attempts to bring the car up from Victoria, the (barely) rolling shell arrived into Sydney missing guards and in serious need of some work. Over the following 4 years it made it’s way through (two) rounds of soda blasting, a full rotisserie treatment and bare-metal panel and paint restoration.
The list of work is extensive, involving rebuilt C-pillars, new-old-stock fenders sourced direct from Nissan. New floor pans, rails, battery tray, and all body lines, lips and guards restored and unrolled to original specs.
And that’s just getting it back to basics.
Along with the restoration, a number of hard to find parts were sourced from untold hours on Yahoo auctions. Genuine JDM S30 fender mirrors, an original 432 grill, door cards and Kenmaeri bucket seats. Sourced locally, a AGI 4 point half cage indicates the intended use of the car.
All new badges, rubbers, and all new zinc plated fasteners and hardware. Anyone who’s ever worked on an old car can only imagine the absolute joy of threading a fresh bolt into a fresh thread.
Which brings us to the Z’s current iteration in its fresh coat of the original 902 Kilimanjaro White paint code. Slowly being pieced together with care and patience at every step.
Over the past months Sandy has been working through the long list of tasks to get the car back together. The dashboard has been restored by hand with all gauges pulled apart, cleaned, lubricated and reassembled. Including the dash clock and clockspring, which I’m told is a rare occurrence.
The engine bay, driveline and suspension is all receiving appropriate attention. Powder coated cross members, all new adjustable arms and fresh bushings throughout and a 4.8 diff is linked to a 260z 5-speed sourced from a previous Z shell that Sandy owned.
At the back corner of the garage a L26 built by James Flett of MIA engines sits on an engine stand. The powerplant features a ported and polished 280zx valvetrain, port matched manifolds, flat top high comp pistons and triple webers. A bit of spark from a 280zx electronic ignition setup and all in the block pumps out 200hp at the wheels. Numbers are great, but in this case, the sound is the going to be the real hero.
In an age of highly documented bolt-on-builds and downloadable engine tunes, it’s a real privilege to find one of the examples that takes the long road instead.
Follow Sandy on instagram – ahoysandy
and follow the 240 build too! kilimanjaro_240
Have you got something special you’re working on? Get in touch and we’ll drop in to check it out for a build spotlight feature.