Fontana Nissan and NissanRaceShop.com would like to introduce the newest project car to add to our team of quality cars.  This vehicle is more than a little special to us.  Its a reminder of where we’ve come from and where we’re going. This classic 1972 Datsun 240z was aquired about 8 months ago by our very own Master Technician, Chris Heimburg.  Chris found this diamond in the rough, ignored its current condition and saw a vision of what it could be.  He also saw this as a way to spend some quality time with his 15 year old son, Billy, as an educational project race car.  The education Billy will receive while working on this project is an education you couldn’t pay for.  Side by side, one on one instruction on how a vehicle runs from ground up…Billy is well aware of the opportunity put in his lap, and has already shown enthusiasm and an eagerness to learn.  Stay tuned as Chris and Billy transform this junkyard gem into a fully functional track car!

When first acquired, the car wasn’t in the best of shape.  It had its usual dings and dents, and lots of rust!  But for its age, this “Cougar” of a car was in pretty good shape.  It spent the last 10 years sitting in someone’s backyard, and came with a population of rats and spiders.

Once they parked it in their driveway, it was time to get to work.  Billy spent his weekends tearing the car apart and went to town removing all of the sound deadening from the interior.  He also sanded down the interior and engine bay.  This was followed by several coats of paint in gloss white.  Once they add the rest of the interior and engine, it should really pop!  The car was then taken to 1 Day Paint and Body where they prepped the car and graced it with a brand spankin’ new Shiny Red Coat!

Although appearance of any race car is important, the guys know that it must start with a good base.  In their case, the heart of the car needed to be replaced.  A VERY GENEROUS donation by Chad Boyles of AM PERFORMANCE would give the 240z a solid powerplant to hit the track.

Chris and Billy took a weekend roadtrip up to Santa Cruz California where a Nissan Skyline was waiting for them to pull the RB20DET engine and transmission.  These are to be the heart of this project.  Of course they didn’t get to work right away, as they took the Skyline for a once in a lifetime test drive!  Then dropped the motor and tranny and strapped to the trailer where they made the 10 hr road trip back home.

While the motor was waiting for its final transplant surgery, Chris and Billy gave the RB20DET some love by freshening up this motor with a slew of parts from NissanRaceShop.com.  A new custom rear sump oil pan from Enjuku was also acquired.  Being that the engine was already out and on a stand…it was much easier to work on it at this stage.  After that was time to test fit…Yup!  it’s in there!  Now the fun begins as they fabricate motor mounts and continue the build.

Stay tuned as we follow this Father/Son project in preparation to hit the track later this year!