California Datsun 240Z Restoration: Built as a Surprise, Delivered as a Promise

Owners: Bill & Deb Hendrickson - 1973  Datsun 240Z - Performance Stats: 2.9 L28

Built By: Al Allen - California Datsun - Instagram: @Californiadatsun

Photographer: Marvin Recinos - Instagram:  @mr2mivin

Built as a Surprise, Delivered as a Promise

My name is Al Allen, owner of California Datsun, the DBA of Datsun Parts LLC, officially established back in 2008. I've been an S30 fanatic since 1989, when I got my first Z, and this California Datsun 240Z restoration is one I'm especially proud to share, because of who it was built for and why.

A Lifetime with the S30

As a young man I poured every dollar I made into my 260Z. It was my daily driver for the next ten years. I entered and won about every car show I could in the 90s, from Hot Import Nights to the National Z Car Convention, and there wasn't much I wouldn't do to keep that car sharp. Working for Enterprise Rent-A-Car back then, I was able to develop solid friendships and future business relationships with car dealerships, body shop owners, auto parts stores, and even insurance company reps. It kept me plugged into the automotive industry as a whole, and honestly, it taught me a lot about running a business long before I knew I'd be running one.

The growing JDM car culture of the late 90s into the early 2000s, and everything the Fast and Furious movement brought with it, was awesome to be part of. I was enamoured with everything Z cars had to offer, from my membership in the Group Z car club to the late nights in my garage wrenching on my own car. I just loved everything about it. Still do.

From Side Hustle to Full-Time Career

I started Datsun Parts LLC as a side hustle to fund my own Z project. It evolved into a full-time career in 2013. Today, years later, we've become one of the world's largest suppliers of Datsun parts, and one of the premier shops for complete Z car restorations. Every project that comes through the shop still feels personal, and this one especially so.

The Story Behind This Build

This Z was built as a surprise gift. But it was going to be much more than that. We took a call from a kind lady, Deb Hendrickson, who asked if we'd be able to restore her husband Bill's old Z. Of course we said yes. The trouble was the car was in such terrible, rotten condition that it was going to take an entire donor shell to get it back on the road. Nearly two years later, we were able to deliver on a promise we'd made. Give us enough time and a reasonable budget, and we can always make something out of nothing.

Emerald Green and Camel Leather

Its unique color is the main feature, honestly. It's an in-house blend we call California Datsun emerald green, combined with a camel colored leather interior and a monster L28 running triple Webers underneath. This Z doesn't just look good, it runs and drives better than it did when it was new. It's an absolute attention grabber. Of all the Z cars we've posted to our YouTube channel, this one has had the most reactions, views, and comments of them all. We've taken on a few new jobs as a direct result of how popular this Z has become.

Engine & Drivetrain

• L28 engine, punched out to 2.9L
• 500L 300D camshaft
• Ceramic-coated headers
• Hand-built Borla exhaust
• Triple Weber carburettors
• 5-speed transmission

The ceramic-coated headers and that hand-built Borla exhaust give this Z all the roar it needs, and the triple Weber carbs are what put the power to the back of your seat. The smooth shift of the 5-speed keeps the RPMs in check and the fuel economy where it needs to be, which matters more than people expect on a car built to actually be driven.

Interior

• Camel colored leather interior, designed by Ernie's Interiors
• Fully wrapped plastics throughout

The plush, comfortable camel leather was designed by Ernie's Interiors, and the fully wrapped plastics make this Z look and feel genuinely modern inside, not just restored.

Exterior, Wheels & Suspension

• California Datsun emerald green in-house paint blend
• 16" Konig wheels
• Eibach lowering springs
• KYB struts

The 16" Konig wheels give this Z a classic look, and it all sits on Eibach springs and KYB struts to lower the altitude and raise the attitude, as we like to say around the shop. It's one of our favorite builds for exactly that reason.

Brakes

• Wilwood front brake upgrade
• Rear disc brake conversion

To stop all that power, we upgraded to Wilwood brakes and added a rear disc brake conversion to keep it safe at speed, not just fast in a straight line.

Who Did the Work

Our staff at California Datsun built this 240Z over a two-year period. Starting from scratch, with very little to work with, made this build a genuine challenge from day one. We have one of the best paint and body men in the business, and he made sure this Z turned out one of a kind. Special recognition goes out to the team of Baltazar and Emilio. As always, we want to thank Rod's Garage for the work he's put into this Z. The team at Barbarian Motorsports kept her running true and on a straight line. The guys over at Young Gun Coatings always provide us with excellent powder-coated suspension and exhaust parts, and we're thankful for the detailed upholstery work provided by Ernie's Interiors. Finally, our guy Raul Mendez makes sure all of our cars are perfectly detailed, cut and buffed to perfection.

Future Plans

Bill and Deb may consider adding air conditioning at some point down the road. Beyond that, this one's done. It's out there being driven and enjoyed the way it was always meant to be.

Shout Outs

Thanks to @californiadatsun and @youngguncoatings for everything that went into this one.

Dream Car

I want a new GTR. After decades of building and restoring S30s, there's something appealing about a car that represents the complete opposite end of the Nissan lineage, and a modern R35 GT-R built into a 650HP widebody monster is about as far from a 1973 240Z as you can get while still staying true to the brand.

If this restoration caught your eye, it's worth seeing how far the same formula can be pushed. Our Kilimanjaro White L28 stroker build, done for a client who wanted a factory-correct, timeless look, impressed Chip Foose enough to stop and take notice. And on the other end of the spectrum, our 450hp turbocharged 1970 240Z resto-mod shows what happens when a classic Z gets a genuinely modern powertrain underneath the timeless shape.

For more owner and builder stories like this one, grab a copy of Stance Auto Magazine from our Amazon store.