Falcon Focus: Seniors refurbish car from the ‘70s

September 3, 2013 — by Trung Vandinh

Over the last summer, senior twins Eric and Kip Ringsrud began work on an old 1978 Datsun 280z, which they bought off Craigslist without an engine.

Over the last summer, senior twins Eric and Kip Ringsrud began work on an old 1978 Datsun 280z, which they bought off Craigslist without an engine.
The plan was to restore the used car and add modifications. Since the project will take a long time to complete, the two have focused on mostly aesthetic and mechanical aspects of their to-be-refurbished car, doing “almost all non-engine work, [such as modding the] fuel system, brakes, seats, interior carpet, cleaning, some sweet wheels and tires and more.”
In addition to the remodel, the plan is to also improve the car’s functional ability by installing the Nissan SR20DET, an engine from the 1993 Silvia S14, which will soon arrive from Japan.
Though the car is far from finished, the two have learned a lot from this project already, having had no previous experience with engineering aside from television, online forums and repairs for their own Toyota Tacoma.
They have spent hours trying to learn as much as possible about car mechanics while keeping up with their individual hobbies such as Eric’s track and football or Kip’s cycling and rowing.
“All in all this project is super fun and satisfying,” Kip said. “I cannot wait to get it running on the road!”
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