A rebuild like this is no easy task, and Ares isn’t done with the car just yet. The car’s exterior is simple, consisting of JDM fender-mounted mirrors, a MSA air dam with custom brake ducts, a carbon-fiber hood, fender flares and taillight panel housing, all topped off with a DIY “House of Krylon flat-black, rattle-can paint job,” Ares says with a laugh. The next phase of the build will be the body work, but when asked about the condition of the exterior Ares isn’t completely sold on making it perfect by show standards. As rough around the edges as the car may look, we like it.
You can tell this car is driven hard and put away wet, as it ought to be. Despite the dings and dents (as well as the aftermath of a careless driver who backed into the front end), the Z gets attention wherever it goes. The fact that it’s not a perfectly restored car but has had proper upgrades and customization is what makes it so cool and gives it character. The 400 whp hiding under the unassuming hood is nothing to write off either. We look forward to seeing Ares out at Buttonwillow for track days this season and can’t wait to see what he comes up with for the next phase of work on this fine piece of retro Datsun machinery.
Worth Knowing In this day and age, it’s difficult to come by a clean, original 240Z. Most have been raced, wrecked or have simply succumbed to the elements. However, just over a decade ago in 1998, Nissan had a bright idea. The company bought back a number of ’70-73 240Zs from their owners and had the cars fully restored by museum-grade restoration shops in Southern California. The price tag, however, was much higher than that of a Z in the early ’70s, a hefty $28,000 was needed to get your seat in a new-old 240Z.
Specs & Details
’71 Datsun 240Z
Engine Nissan RB25DET inline-6
Engine Modifications Garrett t3/60-1; Denso 525cc injectors; GReddy intake manifold & timing belt; AEM boost controller; PRC radiator w/ oil cooler & custom oil catch can w/ AN lines; GM coil packs; RS Speed motor mounts, piping, intercooler, intake & brackets; dual Mercedes pusher fans, 120-amp alternator, 300-lph external fuel pump, 5/15 aluminum feed and return lines, custom 3″ turbo-back exhaust, clear cam gear cover, powdercoated valve cover & engine details; Dunkees.com spark plug cover
Engine Management NIStune programmable ECU
Drivetrain RB25DET transmission, ACT HDG6 clutch set, custom 1-piece driveshaft, 300ZX turbo clutch pack LSD, CV axles
Suspension RS Speed coilovers w/ sectioned struts, bumpsteer spacers; Energy suspension master bushing kit, sway bar endlinks
Wheels, Tires & Brakes Rota RB-R 17×8.5″ -24 (f), 17×8.5″ -19 (r), Nankang Sport NS-1 tires 225/45R17 (f), 255/40R17 (r), 4-piston front brake conversion, vented, cross-drilled & slotted rotors, Axxis ULT ceramic pads, rear disc brake conversion, full stainless brake lines, custom 15/16 master cylinder
Interior Momo steering wheel, 300ZX retrofitted dash gauges, AEM Wideband, TruBoost; Auto Meter oil, water & volt gauges, carbon-fiber center console w/ ECU power, fuel pump, ignition & fan switches, carbon-fiber shifter, custom RS Speed roll bar, OMP harnesses, Jegs bucket seats, Clarion MP3 player, new carpet & restored dashboard
Exterior MSA air dam w/ custom brake ducts, carbon-fiber hood, fender flares, taillight panel; JDM fender mirrors, shaved corner lights
Numbers 400 whp at 17 psi
Thanks To Daniel Militonian of Dunkees.com, the RS speed crew (Rmen and Hovo), RSSpeed.com, Need 4 Speed Motorsports & Team Vala
Worth Knowing Daniel Militonian is an extremely talented graphic artist and a long-time friend of Ares Mathevossian. Daniel spends his days designing art for skateboards and snowboards, as well as privately commissioned pieces similar to the spark plug cover featured on Ares’ car. Check out Daniels website for more examples of his work and a deeper look into his truly unique artistic vision at dunkees.com.
