Sitting in the deep bucket Bride seat as we moved from the first shoot location to the next, it became immediately apparent to me that the 240 featured today is a driver’s car.
The ride is firm, there’s a satisfying clunk when put into gear and the sound of the L28 motor tempts you to bring it up to redline at any excuse.
Inside, the interior is fully trimmed, yet quite spartan. There’s everything you need to enjoy your spirited drive and nothing you don’t. A trio of gauges sit above the HVAC controls to monitor the vehicles vitals and a Nardi wheel keeps things headed down the road.
A wood grain knob topped gear stick protrudes from a custom shift boot (care of the previous owner) and that pretty well wraps up the interior modifications.
I don’t even recall seeing a radio.
Like the inside, the outside of the car is a mix of modifications aimed at making the driving experience better from both a visual and performance stand point.
Make no mistake that while this car does look absolutely phenomenal, it’s no show pony and can be easier found on the track than in a parking lot.
Still, it’s hard to deny its visual appeal.
The Marugen Shoukai Works body kit couldn’t better suit the car, and paired with the authentic G nose front end the car has a timeless look about it.
Ten days, ten months, ten years from now it will always be a head turner.
Under the flares are 15×11 sized RS Watanabe wheels with 235/50/15 Toyo R88 rubber. Behind the front wheels are Wildwood four piston brakes.
Out back the factory drums remain, owner Tim saw no need to swap to discs. As it’s set up he has no problem reining the car in before corners on the track days he frequents.
Under the hood, as mentioned is an L28 motor. It’s not stock however as Tim stroked it out to 3.0L and brought the compression to an 11:1 ration in the process.
Atop the motor are three Mikuni carbs fit to a Mikuni runner.
Since blow by is what necessitated the original engine rebuild, Tim keeps the under hood of the car remarkably clean at all times.
It makes it easier to see visually if he’s got an oil leak problem he should be concerned about.
Again, with function being the focus, bracing has been applied to the chassis in various areas. A T3 triangular strut tower brace stiffens up the front end with the help of a matching T3 unit in the rear.
Inside an Auto power rollbar adds further stiffening and added protection should the car end up shiny side down.
Ground control coil overs and Tockico illumina shocks are found at each corner. Additionally all of the control arms have been replaced Futofab billet control arms are fit up front with matching tension rods. In the rear more T3 parts come into play in place of the factory arms.
Tim seemed a bit shocked when I complimented the ride of the car, but all things considered it was quite enjoyable.
Responsive and firm, but not bone jarring in the least.
As the sun set on the shoot, and the light danced off the fresh paint, I took a few extra moments to study the details that make this car a true Japanese classic.
The first time I saw Tim’s car was at Fitted in 2015 and while it wasn’t part of the show, it certainly stole some of it.
Being able to catch up with it two years later for some photos was a treat and I thank Tim for taking the time out of his schedule to indulge me.
Next time of course, I’ll have to catch it on the track.
To accommodate the Chevy 305 power plant the frame was stretched 26″ before Belltech drop spindles and coils were installed to bring the front down.
