Growing up in the '80s, I remember hearing about this "Cold War" that was going on between us and the (now former) Soviet Union. Before the multiple syllable word "paradoxical" even entered my limited vocabulary, the whole concept blew my mind. For starters, how can a war be cold? That's like saying a bone stock HF CRX is fast. Or better yet, claiming a war on terror - don't make sense.
Another thing I never understood about the chilly war was the arms escalation-the whole male cock envy mentality of who can build a bigger and better bomb. Even as a nine-year-old, the realization of so-called world powers touting the nuclear capabilities of blowing the world up a thousand times over was dumbfounding. F-that, with billions burned for national security, might as well build a real-life democracy-preserving Voltron-five multi-colored lions, hot princess in pink, formed blazing sword and all.
Similar to the arms race is the ultra-competitive show scene. Sans Mr. Fusion, the art of one-upping the next car is undeniably the dominating trophy-winning, show-stopping force. Taking cues from other rides and enhancing and tweaking it has almost become the norm-even, gasp, an art. Take a look at Scott Buwalda's ride-a '95 US-spec 240SX. Or well at least that is what it used to be.
At first glance, you're probably thinking, "Wow, another S14 Silvia with a S15 front-end. Like I didn't see that in every other issue of Super Street." Pop the hood and the once holy-grail-turned-paper-Dixie-cup-swap RB motor doesn't even coax a small chub in your pants. Even the JDM-ish RHD configuration and completely ICEd-out interior has you shrugging your shoulders. One word and a color of green hue comes to mind: jaded. But take a closer look at the Buwalda wagon and you'll find something the untrained eye would quickly overlook-design and engineering rivaling that of the Einstein-propagated Manhattan project.
Examine the body. What started out as a left-hand drive 240SX was converted to a right-hand drive configuration; not for the JDM factor, but out of necessity to clear the now transplanted heart from a GT-R donor of the R32 family. A full S15 front-end from radiator support out was welded as were all the body holes and unibody seams. All the door handles, fuel doors, antennas and wiper fluid nozzles were painstakingly shaved, after which a full Vertex body kit was skim-coated with body filler and molded to the chassis. The new color? A Midnight Blue hue chosen from the Sikkens catalog which took Dwain Stiles from Atlanta, GA three tries to get absolutely flawless.