This Masterful Datsun 240Z Restomod Creation Is Dedicated To Dad

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When Paulo Tabora picked up this 1972 Datsun 240Z almost a decade ago, he knew he was in for long and costly process to bring it back to life with a deep dive into restomod waters. And for many of those years, the Z sat untouched and covered up in his garage while he put time with his family first, and spent some time modifying other, far less involved builds in the meantime.

The decision to finally get started on this build wasn't an easy one and, in fact, it's the result of tragedy and the worst taste of reality based around the global pandemic. You're likely sick of all the complications that came from 2020's onset of Covid, whether it be something as simple as getting parts for your build or dealing with fallout in your profession, not to mention those annoying masks you couldn't stand wearing.

For Paulo, however, those years of fighting a battle with the unknown are all too real and far more serious given that he's a registered nurse, and like many in his line of work, stood at the forefront. "The amount of sick and dying patients we had to take care of while still trying to remain healthy was tough," he recalls. "I just didn't want to get my family sick." In the midst of dealing with other family's sick members, Paulo got the unfortunate news that his father was diagnosed with Covid and had to be hospitalized. "Hospitalized at the same hospital I work at to make matters harder," he adds. "My father battled Covid for a month but ultimately passed from it."

With the loss weighing heavily, Paulo began to consider starting on the 240Z project as that was his father's favorite and, as he puts it, "I knew in my heart that I had to get this car going. The car was ultimately going to be unveiled at SEMA 2022. With the love and help of my brothers, great friends, and amazing industry leading partners, we got it done but time was against us."

The build would take place at JBZ Classics starting with its heart, which would in fact remain an L-series rather than a modern turbocharged option, but it wasn't just a simple clean up job. Rob's Performance Motorsports assembled a fresh L28 block using ZX flat-top pistons with custom fly pockets and ARP hardware down below, and stainless valves, Isky springs and retainers, and an American Racing cam on the top end.

Exhaust gases are handled by a Z Story header and complete exhaust system with classic stacked finishers poking through the rear bumper. The crowning touch for this L-series is undoubtedly the Triple Solex 44 carbs that were rebuilt and perfected by Taka of Kyusha House which add the sort of '70s-era aura needed to elevate the Z-build.

The bright red valve cover and radiator hoses sit in contrast to the Porsche 912 Olive Green paint that covered the entire car, inside and out, after sand blasting and rust repair were performed. Hits of custom gunmetal are impossible to ignore on the Speedform fender flares, front bumper, Kameari type 1 air dam, BRE rear spoiler, and taillight garnish. To fill in the space provided by the new flares, Work Equip 03 in 15x9 front and 10 rear, and aggressive Toyo Proxes R888R were installed. Peeking through those mesh wheels reveals Techno Toy Tuning's Wilwood kit with 4-piston calipers working with a 280ZX master cylinder.

Some get away with just a set of springs to get the look they're after, but Paulo wasn't interested in cutting corners. His suspension layout reads like a Techno Toy Tuning catalog feature and includes the brand's coilovers fitted with Hyperco springs, sway bars, front and rear tri-bars, power braces, drop mounts, and more. Entirely revitalized underneath, the braking and handling makeover modernizes the 240Z, giving it far superior performance to what was available in the 1970s, and, more importantly, a much safer experience, especially at speed.

As good as the engine bay, exterior, and suspension changes are on Paulo's restomod, his Z-car's cabin deserves a feature of its own. Working with Rogelio's Upholstery, a roll of Alcantara was applied to the dash and shift boot, as well as the center portion of the Recaro LX seats, with the bolsters and old school headrests treated to fine leather.

Skillard provided a long list of finishing touches, including their flat door cards, detailed aluminum center console pieces, heel and threshold plates, to name just a few. Buried within the custom stitched dash are Speedhut olive colored gauges just behind a retro-style, woodgrain Momo Indy steering wheel. The shift knob, created by Rodak Garage, features Paulo's father's signature engraved. You'll also find it on the custom pedals.

Like any high-level SEMA debut, it was down to the wire with the car's completion. Adamant about driving the car into the trade show rather than pushing it, just four days before it was set to leave for Vegas, the Jeremey Bathan and JBZ Classics wiring harness was installed, Motul fluids added, and the Z fired up for the first time in almost 10 years. Paulo adds, "Words cannot explain how emotional and electric that moment was for all of us in that garage. My late father was truly present on that moment."

Having finished exactly what he set out to do, the 240Z made its way to Toyo's Treadpass for SEMA 2022 and Paulo relished in the moment. "I fired her up, my late father riding shotgun, and drove her in and out of SEMA," he says. "This is beyond just a car to me, it's a priceless part of the family because all of the people and partners who were involved all did it out of love. Future plans for the car are to drive it, and drive it a lot."

Owner Paulo S. Tabora

Instagram @roost_lyf @jbzclassics

Engine Rob Austin stage 1 engine package; L28 block, E88 head; ZX flat top pistons w/custom fly pocket; ARP rod bolts; American Racing cam 0-71 grind/510 lift; stainless steel valves; Isky springs, retainers; RPM stage 1 37mm port; Kameari engine works racing damper kit, water pump, alternator pulley, ignition; MSD Blaster 2, ignition plug wires; Nismo fuel pump; MagnaFuel distribution block; Kyusha House rebuilt and tuned Triple Solex 44phh Nismo carburetors, custom fuel lines; Z Story stainless steel header, full exhaust system; Jeremy Bathan and JBZ Classics complete wiring harness

Drivetrain 280ZX 5-speed transmission; ACT clutch, Streetlite flywheel; Subaru STI R180 differential 3.90 ratio; Torsen LSD

Suspension Hyperco springs; Techno Toy Tuning Evolved coil overs, helper springs, wheel hubs, extended studs, adjustable lower control arms, sway bars, front/rear tri-bars, mustache bar, power braces, drop mounts, differential mount, CV axles

Brakes Techno Toy Tuning Wilwood Micro big brake kit w/4-piston calipers; 280ZX master cylinder; zinc plated hard lines, brake booster

Wheels & Tires Work Equip 03 15x9 -28 front, 15x10 -31 rear; Toyo Proxes R888R 205/50 front, 225/50 rear

Exterior Porsche 912 olive green paint; Speedforme Japan fender flares; Kameari Type 1 front air dam; Skillard Automotive front splitter; BRE rear spoiler; complete nut and bolt restomod, sand blasted body rust repair, complete color change

Interior Rogelio's Upholstery custom Alcantara wrapped dash and shift boot, fine leather and Alcantara wrapped Recaro LX seats; Skillard Automotive door cards, heel plates, center console, delete plat w/custom toggle switches, threshold plates, spare tire cover, tailgate plate, license plate lights; Speedhut gauges; Rodak Garage shift knob with father's signature engraved; custom pedals with father's signature engraved

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