Some say that cars are just not cars anymore. They say that with all of the technology, emissions revisions, and safety elements that cars are just becoming lackluster-- big boxes that transport us to and from our lackluster jobs in a lackluster world where people are lead to settle down and accept what they have as not up to par with their dreams.
Realizations like this are what lead the previous generation to mine to begin building and restoring muscle cars. It allowed people like my father and my father's friends to relive their glory days, reminiscing on their wonderful teenage years without buying a time machine. Big engines and light chassis with sexy lines were what turned those guys on. But what about my generation?
The slew of 20-year-olds out there looking to stir up some of what defined automobiles for themselves while igniting a flame inside of their aging hearts? What about my generation, looking to escape the ever-approaching reality of escalating responsibilities with four wheels and a motor? What defines youth for us?
Cars like this: a Nissan Silvia S12, labeled the 200SX in America. Pop-up headlights, lightweight chassis, all birthed to an era that strived for excessiveness! Technology was becoming cheaper, but cars weren't being hampered by it! Cars were being improved with technology, because the chassis remained light, the engines were becoming more powerful, and emissions weren't a huge issue!
There was no such thing as an auto on-off engine back then with an advanced plant-like control system. There was less weight and more mechanical efficiency. Car companies were using THOSE things to improve their cars' efficiency levels all while inducing cool locking buttons on their door handles too! :3
So when my buddy Ryan posted some blurry cell-phone pictures on Facebook and all of my buddies were going wild over his mystery car with cool 80's technology, I figured I'd head on over to Pottstown to get some sweet pics.
Although it was freezing, we handled the weather like men. We talked about the car and Ryan gave me some information on it, including what he'd like to do to it, what it is like in its current state, how much he paid for it, and other car guy stuff.
The car is a notchback model with a 2.0 L SOHC engine that only puts out about 100 hp. It's not much, but despite being such a small number the car still moved fairly well. And that's how you know a 20+ year old car is bought in good condition!
With a one-piece drive shaft and rear LSD, this was one of the fathers to the S-Chassis Drift Cars that you know today. Ryan, who went to tech school and college for automotive informed me of this while he was telling me of future plans for the car.
Along with revamping the whole suspension with S13 parts for lowering and improved handling, Ryan plans on swapping a 3.0 L or four-cylinder turbo model's engine. After all, it's not going to be easy to modify this old JDM gem.
However, with persistance and love, Ryan plans to make this one unique, cool little car; taking the technology and mechanical efficiency of my generation's younger days' cars and making it cooler than it already is. I mean, it isn't a racecar...but it sure is something.
Until next time, this is Lexi.Laron signing out.
