So I’m Nick, and I’m 16, turning 17 on the 21st of July, and about a week ago I picked up a running '89 S13 Hatchback completely stock for $800. Pretty lucky but it is rotted out, having no rockers, vanished rails a Fred Flinstone floor and ratty interior. A substantial amount of work, I know.
Lucky for me, I have been working and learning alongside my father for 3 solid years now. He owns his own company, Finishline Creations, which does custom paint, refinishing and body work, receiving work from Dasilva Motorsport and Hitman Hotrods. A big shout out to Scott at Hitman for letting me borrow his trailer to pick up my car!
Moving forward I plan to dismantle the car completely, do some patchwork on the rails, floors and find some rocker cutouts or make my own. The doors and fenders are being chucked, and the broken mirror replaced. Rocket Bunny ducktail, type x tails (maybe), and 5 lug conversion, as well as debating removing the pig nose for a chuki. I never liked the pig nose but it’s growing on me. Debating paint colours right now too. Looking to have her on the road stock by late August/early Sept, and follow up with an Sr20 swap and either a rocket bunny kit while it sits in the winter, or the purchase of a second 240 for track use.
hey man looks like your in cambridge too haha , i got a chuki bumper with everything if you want to trade.
Yeah I am man, I’ll pm you my # and we can talk
Update*
Today I went in and started taking apart the drivers side to farther inspect the disaster that is the rockers. After giving it a couple love taps and watching a the rust rain from it I realized the fender and door were a lot worse than I had originally thought.
Luckily I was already planned to head out to Stoney Creek and Richmond to grab a few parts off some pretty good guys. Got 2 mint doors from separate guys, a 180sx cluster, both front fenders, a pair of mirrors, a new rear bumper, and that little panel that goes under the lights (no idea what its called). Going to tomorrow to keep dismembering the car.
Update again
Not too much news wise, was at CSCS at TMP Cayuga, and working a ton. Met up with Dylan Sharpe (SharpeCorners) and he gave me some great advice. Since the ka24 runs I’m going to keep it, and restore the car to stock so I can have it on the road in sept. As for the rocket bunny kit, I called into a GReddy supplier in Missisauga and am waiting for them to get back to me with import costs from either the us or japan.
This is means the plan right now is pick a colour, find a new front bumper or create a fibreglass lip for my pignose, and do a 5 lug conversion. Also is there anyone else interested in a pignose shakotan styled lip? I might make a few if anyone’s interested, I know lips are rare. Also if anyone has any colour ideas please let me know, I’m somewhat in the dark on that topic with no direction. Thanks!
With the resources you have, I hope you put together a quality build.
Good luck and be patient