‘Restomod’ has almost become a dirty word these days, with a new, restored and modified creation making headlines seemingly every week. I call it ‘Singer syndrome’ – the idea that modernizing a classic car and selling it for several times its market value is a viable and sustainable business model. Some succeed, others are quickly laughed off the road.
What I’ve been enjoying lately aren’t the typical restomods, but builds that maintain individual character while being upgraded with the best tuning and styling parts 2024 has to offer. Throtl’s R34 2 Fast 2 Furious tribute build is a prime example, combining big screen nostalgia with crushing performance. But for those who prefer their car icons a little more…Oriental, Johannes LauThe 1971 S30 Datsun 240Z could be the perfect reinvention.
The Otaku among you will probably recognize this car as the ‘Devil Z’ from the popular manga and anime series Wangan Midnight. While the bodywork is certainly more extreme than its cartoon counterpart, the spirit is undeniably there.
The San Marino Blue shade is commonly found on BMWs and Porsches, and the Jon Sibal-designed body kit brings the car firmly into the 21st century, compared to the Devil Z’s traditional bolt-on fenders. Custom LED headlights and taillights are a modern touch, while carbon fiber mirrors, bumpers and a giant diffuser create some contrast with the metallic paint.
Under the arches you’ll find a massive set of 17×11.5-inch and 18×13-inch staggered Work Meister M1 wheels, wrapped in Toyo Proxes R888R semi-slick tires. Apex Engineered coilovers lower the suspension, while braking power is delivered via a custom carbon-ceramic brake setup from Turbohoses.
Inside, you’ll find custom leather that complements the black and red Recaro Sportster GT seats. A custom roll bar is mounted behind the driver and passenger, and custom gauges are another nod to the Devil Z. John holds a Momo steering wheel and shifts via a stick button.
The Z’s engine is the real standout feature of the build. Unlike many restored Datsuns with SR or RB engine swaps, John resisted the urge to retrofit a modern engine, and instead kept things OG with an inline-six L-series, featuring specifically a 2.8-liter L28 bored out to 3.0 liters. He then added a Garrett G35-900 turbocharger for extra punch.
The engine is reinforced with forged pistons and connecting rods, along with Schneider Performance valve springs and retainers. A ported and polished head improves airflow, while boost is fed through a Protuner Z Turbo manifold and a custom intake plenum with 47mm intake trumpets. The engine runs on E85 biofuel thanks to Haltech ECU programming and ethanol-specific Injector Dynamics injectors.
An Infiniti six-speed gearbox and Ford differential direct power to the 315-section rear tires, with the Haltech ECU providing traction control to keep the S30 in line.
Apex Engineering’s strut tower brace and engine bay strengthening bars are the most obvious structural additions, but beneath the skin you’ll find virtually their entire catalog for strengthening the 53-year-old sports coupe. To top it all off, the chassis itself is stitch welded and the frame rails are reinforced for extra stiffness.
It’s a nice touch in an old car with big boost and an N2O kit for nitrous oxide systems.
For all the Devil Z’s mystical powers, I feel like John’s version would leave the anime original in the carbon fiber rearview mirror. While this is certainly an old-fashioned ‘more-is-more’ approach to building a car, there’s no denying the appeal of modern technology and engineering beneath a beautiful ’70s bodywork.
Mario Christou
Instagram: mcwpn, mariochristou.world
mariochristou.world
Photography by Darrien Craven
Instagram: _crvn_
