The King’s Steed

Although looking to buy a car out of Japan on his last trip there, Ben Sinclair — known as the unofficial ‘King of Timaru’ — ended up buying one on our own soil after discovering an imported version wouldn’t be road legal for a few more years. This JZX100 popped up for sale, but before it could be purchased, a guy from Christchurch snapped it up and proceeded to beat on it, which is what caused the damage pictured. That has all been taken care of via a tube-frame rear end and quarter panel swap, with flared guards to suit a much beefier set of wheels. The boot is home to a GT wing with custom end caps designed by Ben himself, and the body features a few Origin Labo pieces for extra width. As of yet, there is no engine or gearbox fitted, as the factory 1JZ was pillaged and now lives on in the CL Auto Dream Wrap comp–winning Toyota Supra of Matthew Brown. Ben tells us the plan is to run a late-model VVT-i 1UZ, or a 3UZ, in conjunction with an R-series box, due to the current price hike that all the JZ components are currently experiencing. Plus, it never hurts to be different.

That said, a few people are not as impressed by the idea as Ben is, describing the 1U making “a good boat anchor”, while others advised just purchasing a JZ instead. If all else fails, Ben assures us the only way a JZ will be found inside the car is if it’s a naturally aspirated unit with ITBs for that sweet intake sound. Whatever he lands on, it will be great to see the big girl being thrown around Levels Raceway.