In 2018, severe floods wreaked havoc in the southwest region of Japan, leading to the devastation of residences, vehicles, and establishments. Among the casualties was a beloved Nissan Fairlady Z belonging to a family from Okayama. However, a heartwarming story unfolds as a group of students from an automotive college comes forward to offer their assistance.
According to a report by Japanese Nostalgic Car, the vehicle in question is an S130 Fairlady Z, known as the Datsun 280ZX in the United States. This car, owned by a family in Mabi, Okayama, held sentimental value as it had once belonged to a son who tragically lost his life in a car accident several decades ago. Despite this tragedy, the family retained the car all these years until the fateful floods of 2018 submerged it in mud and water.
The vehicle was extensively damaged, but because of its sentimental significance, the family decided to pursue its restoration. As reported by Best Car, the family contacted the nearby Toyota Kobe Automotive College for assistance. Recognizing the importance of the endeavor, the local college instructors opted to connect with Nissan Kyoto Automotive College to ensure that it received the appropriate attention from the original manufacturer.
In 2019, the Nissan technical institute took on the task of restoring the vehicle, naming the coupe “Mabi Z.” The auto was a basic model, housing a naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter straight six-engine. Despite being a modest representation of the Z model, it held immense value for its owner, who had customized it with personal details such as SSR rims and a Momo steering wheel.
The progress on the vehicle was hampered by the pandemic, but work resumed upon the return of students to the campus in 2021. The ongoing effort to restore the car is quite significant, especially considering the strict principles with which the school is tackling the task.
For instance, the engine was clogged with mud, and the simplest solution would have been to exchange it for another standard engine. However, instead of opting for an engine swap, the students decided to take on the more challenging task of rebuilding it. According to the students’ account to Best Car: “Replacing the car’s heart would change its essence entirely.”
Regarding the bodywork, the students are focused on returning the car to its original factory condition. Instead of just patching up previously dented areas with filler, they are proactively straightening and restoring them to a factory-grade level, envisioning the desires of the original owner. There’s still much work remaining in terms of bodywork, as well as the interior, wiring harnesses, and more.
The students are persisting with their project on the car as an extracurricular club activity, gradually reviving the vehicle to its former prestige. So far, their touching endeavors have largely gone unnoticed. A school spokesperson informed Best Car that the project is being carried out without any charges for the family. The representative expressed: “Our aim in restoring the car is for the owner to witness it even in the afterlife,” further adding, “The intent is not to flaunt but to honor.”
In the end, this heartwarming narrative is a triumph on all fronts. The students have acquired valuable expertise for their future endeavors, while a family will soon have their cherished car back in impeccable shape. Truly heartening.
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