Interior Before
Engine Before
Trunk Before
Side After
Interior After
Engine After
Trunk After
Okinawa Motor Festival
Here are some photos of two major car projects I've completed. To the left is my 1972 VW Beetle Convertible restoration, and to the right is my Nissan Silvia/180SX (Sil80) reconstruction.
The VW restoration took about two years, completed during my first (6-1/2 year) tour in Okinawa - and it couldn't have been done without the help of my good friend Nagahama-san, owner of the Opio Auto Shop. I later entered it into three competitions, taking "Best Custom Paint" at the Kadena Auto Show then "Best Volkswagen" (two years in a row)at the Okinawa Motor Festival.
The Nissan Sil80 conversion was completed at Camp Fuji in Shizuoka, Japan with the help of my many friends there. This project entailed the removal of the entire 180SX front end - including the bumper, pop-up headlights, fenders, hood and grill - and replacing it with the front end from a Nissan Silvia. Hence the name "Sil80."
Nissan 180SX Before
Old Rear End Damage
Sil80 Front End Assembly Complete
Final Prep for Paint
"Brand-New" 1992 Nissan Sil80
Front End Removal in Progress
New Front Bumper, Rescued from the Junkyard
Sil80 Crew - Kazu, John, George and me (L-R)
In the Paint Booth
Rear End with Spoiler and Wiper Assembly Removed