When executing a 240-to-Silvia transformation, it is not enough just to drop in a Japanese motor; attention needs to be paid to the car's exterior, obviously, especially the front end. Moving your eyes across the entire vehicle you'll notice the body has been converted to match its Japan-spec internals.
While the engine and transmission are an amalgam of early model Silvia parts, the body panels have been massaged to resemble a newer S15, beginning with an S15 front end complete with headlight assemblies and Strawberry-face fenders. The side skirts were sourced from Nismo and the rear bumper from VIS. All kit components except for the front bumper were smoothed in with the body sheetmetal.
Fender flares were also smoothed in with the factory quarters. Stare intently at the back end and you'll see that this conversion isn't absolutely faithful to the Japan-spec Silvia; Koshimizu couldn't help but execute the always-popular Supra taillight conversion, possibly the most recognizable taillight pattern on the planet. Auto Explosion, in Gardena, Calif., is responsible for all the body work.
Incidentally, that big gaping void hovering over the Silvia's trunk lid is not evidence that our printers screwed the magazine up; it is, in fact, a "wing vacuum" created by the absence of the 2NR-proprietary touring wing. This is a bizarre natural phenomenon that occurs within our studios every now and again;
Stephen Hawking could explain it more eloquently than me, but to tell you the truth I think the clean back end is dope, something that lashes back against import-show convention in a good way. As far as paint, House of Colors supplied the brilliant gold metallic skin on this Silvia. Hey, that's two gold metallic cover cars in four months...coincidence?
The car's interior has been remade in the quintessential show car interior's image. Beckett racing buckets from 5Zigen have been located up front and strapped with Takata racing harnesses to keep asses planted.
Various interior surfaces like the seats and door panels have been reskinned in black suede by Seatcrafters. HKS's EVC IV keeps a watchful eye on the turbo from its position in the center dash, and an HKS turbo timer, mounted on the steering column just behind the 5Zigen tiller, lets the system wind down safely when the ignition's off.
Of course, no 2NR car would be complete without a kick-your-ass-politely stereo system, so Pro Audio Motorsport (yes, the same shop that put the engine together; is there no end to their talent?) assembled a comprehensive system that is sure to turn a few heads.
A Clarion head unit sits up front, sending signals to two Avionixx amplifiers, one 400-watt four-channel unit and one 800-watt two-channel powerhouse to drive the low frequencies. Sound reproduction is effected by Crystal 6.5-in. coaxial speakers up front and in back, and dual 12-in. Crystal subs mounted in the trunk in a custom false-bottom enclosure that also houses the amps.