The Spectre - more details and pictures of the Orlando Auto Examiner project car

November 2, 12:31 AMOrlando Auto ExaminerMichael Block

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The Spectre/Photo © Michael Block

The Spectre, my new Examiner project car, got comfy in its new home today.

I was able to inspect the car more closely during daylight hours, take some pictures, and find locations for the immense stock of spare parts that came with the car.

The car is a 1981 Datsun 200SX coupe, known internally as the S110 chassis. It is the second generation of the famous S chassis which is known in Japan as the Silvia.

It has a 2.0L four-cylinder engine denoted as the Z20. Nissan/Datsun Z20 engines had multi-port fuel injection and a unique twin-spark-plug, twin-coil ignition system. Although the engine is virtually stock, it is running a high-performance exhaust manifold which exits from underneath the driver's side of the car. It has a 5-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip rear differential housed in a solid axle.

The car is sitting on a racing-style coilover suspension setup with adjustable front camber.

The Spectre's 2.0L Z20 4cyl engine in need of some TLC/Photo © Michael Block

This car is prepared for the SCCA ITB class (IT standing for Improved Touring, B refers to the middle class). In general, the class allows for minimal engine tuning, but for heavy suspension tuning. Cars in this class focus on handling and agility rather than big horsepower, so this car should be competitive with only the 90 or so hp it has. The car is equipped with a full and legal rollcage, a fuel cell located where the passenger seat would go, and a racing seat frame. The factory interior parts have all been removed except for the dashboard.

Make no mistake... I have purchased a race car.

Unfortunately, however, I have purchased a race car that is by no means ready to race. It needs A LOT of work. I gave the car the name The Spectre not just because I bought it on Halloween, but because yesterday's analogy of digging it up from the grave is quite appropriate.

First off, the car was made in 1981, nearly 30 years ago. The car has been sitting in storage for 4 years. There's no battery, radiator, or fuel pump. The engine wasn't run the whole time it was in storage, so even after putting those missing parts in the car, the chances are pretty good the engine won't start. Perhaps it will be something simple like a bad coil, or it may be something major like a seized engine. Or maybe the wiring is so chewed up that no current will get to the starter to begin with.
 

The Spectre's roll cage and singe racing seat frame/Photo © Michael Block

Oh, and in case the pictures in the slideshow don't make it painfully obvious, the car earns its ghoulish title in another way: it has rust like a zombie has rigor mortis.

Simply put, this car won't be racing on a racetrack for quite some time.

But, as this car is a project dedicated specifically to this column, the entire process of getting the car not just running again, but getting it back in tip-top condition, will be documented as thoroughly as possible in many future articles to come.

So, be sure to check back in for updates, as giving this forgotten apparition of a race car a second chance at life is sure to be a journey and an adventure.

You can subscribe above to get those updates emailed to you automatically...

... and you can always email me and follow me on Twitter.

Special thanks go out to John and Josh from Black Ops Performance who have been most gracious in not only offering to store the car, but helping to transport it and its lot of spares.