Richy Contreras was born in the early ‘90s. It was a time when MTV ruled pop-culture, teens couldn’t wait to get their license, and the future was a comical dystopia of Taco Bell restaurants, 3 seashells, & 1-credit fines for breaking the verbal morality statute (IYKYK). Anyway, Richy bought this Datsun 280Z almost a decade & a half ago… at barely 21-year-old. Which is a feat that might seem bonkers to many 21 year-olds today. Well – there’s 2 side to that coin… and both are valid.
Generationally – Richy has a unique blend of mindsets…
On one hand, Richy was raised the old-school way…
On character, style, & charisma. Richy was raised to take care of your things, take your time, and build something you can genuinely be proud of. Something that truly reflects you… because you’ve put your heart into it. And that contradicts modern society, where everything seems to be done ‘for content’, ‘for the brand’, and for instant gratification. For today’s gen-Zers (no pun intended) – there’s a generational lack of attachment. When it comes to car culture, they buy cookie-cutter platforms, throw some scripted mods on it, and sell it after a year because there’s nothing keeping you there. No deeper reason. It’s a disposable mindset… one that’s driven by the surface-level lust for content, attention, and instant gratification. Here’s the thing though – Richy’s still young enough to see, understand, and empathize with the fact that…
Society has shifted…
The cost of everything has gone up. Life’s gotten more complicated. Cars have absolutely gotten more complicated. You’re paying more for less. It’s harder to buy a home. And as a result – it’s more of a luxury now to even have the space to own things & work on them. Big Picture: These modern circumstances are preventing younger people from having the opportunities to start projects & develop deeper passions. It’s fundamentally different how the world’s set up now for the youth… and it’s a domino effect. So it’s no wonder they go towards the easy instant gratification of 12-dollar cookies, bobas, and coffee WTF. But it’s not fair to entirely blame the younger generation/s for having a disposable mindset. Because they’re the product of the world we created for them. Sprinkle-in social media & the YouTuber/influencer landscape, and this is what you get.
To the younger generation:
Although it’s not your fault… it is your challenge/quest to overcome. You’re MORE than a target for Instagram ads & algorithms. One major disservice that modern society has done – is normalize the word follower. That’s so messed up; you’re so much more than a follower. Yet it’s so easy to be influenced now, that you almost have to put the phone down, totally unplug, and re-find yourself somehow/someway.
So a car like this Datsun Z brings up interesting conversations today…
Because when you gaze at it, you really begin to realize – they just don’t make cars like this anymore. But it’s bigger/deeper than that. They don’t make IDEAS like this anymore: mechanical, pure, beautiful, & connected. It really contrasts where the present is… compared to the past.
Richy Contreras continuously pushes himself to evolve & learn…
He owns a shop called Drivers Gallery. Yet – he often works on his own cars in his own garage at home. It’s definitely not as well-lit, with basic tool & floor jacks. But there’s something about the slower-paced therapy of garage builds. Richy believes the soul or essence of a car comes from the builder. The philosophy is Style & Spirit: Pour yourself into a car, and it will give that car a soul. And that can only come from time & devotion. It’s a process… not instant gratification. And it can’t happen if you flip your car every year. Slow down…
Richy hopes the next generation gets the opportunity to learn how to take care of things…
Because taking care of your things isn’t a burden. Rather, it’s a blessing (watch the short video below). When you grow up in a consumer-driven, disposable, screen-distracted society… you have to fight for chance to develop the pride that comes with true ownership & maintaining your things. And we get it…
It’s easy to point out the problems…
What’s harder, is becoming the solution. And to BE HEARD over the overwhelming chaos of influencers, algorithms, and agendas. All you can do, is just try & lead by example. Inspire > influence. Don’t blindly comply, but defy. Isn’t that what hot-rodding’s all about after all? A healthy dose of gumption & defiance? None of us individually can change the way things are moving. But collectively, as car culture, we can inspire. And that’s how you create REAL pushback… by inspiring! Lead by example.
Photos by car owner – Richy Contreras
1977 Datsun 280Z
Exterior:
Painted Lexus Ultra Sonic Blue 2.0
Shaved front/rear marker lights & antenna
Japanese clear front turn signals
Type 1 air dam
Wide ZG rear flares in front
Marugen Shoukai rear flares with 3-piece spoiler
OEM Nissan fender mirrors
Custom Porsche Panamera retrofit headlights
One-off metal grille
Engine:
L28 – all polished & cerakoted with Zealous hardware throughout
N42 block .020 overbore with new pistons
N47 head – ported and polished
DSI 44mm/35mm valves
Isky Racing dual valve springs & retainers
Delta cam with .470 lift
Kameari timing chain
One-six Industries crank angle sensor
LS1 coils
Custom RB26 ITB’s (adapted)
Radium fuel filters & fuel pump
600cc Bosh fuel injectors
Ecumasters EMU Black
Shaved engine bay
ChaseBays brake & clutch master
Battery relocation to trunk (with engine fuse box in its place in engine bay and jump posts)
Upgraded GM alternator
Koyo radiator with Spal electric fan
280ZX short ratio 5-speed transmission
New driveshaft
R200 rear diff
Interior:
Aftermarket woodgrain & polished Z steering wheel (with chrome hub)
All original interior – minus custom headliner
Dash cover
Speedhut custom gauges
One-off wooden Z shift knob
Painless wiring chassis kit (all new wiring & secondary chassis fusebox hidden behind glove box)
Suspension:
BC Racing coilovers with Swift springs
Apex Engineering front subframe
Techno Toy Tuning adjustable arms front/rear
Panasport G7-C8S wheels
-Custom ordered with gunmetal faces & polished lips
-15×10 -40 front and 15×11 -70 rear
Yokohama ADVAN A048 tires
Toyota big brake kit up front
Rear caliper conversion
Notes/Credits:
Jared Perry (from Hoonigan at the time) handled the engine build. He got together & worked with some of the best SEMA fabricators, machine shops, and powder coaters. Premier Auto Sports in Indianapolis did the install of the engine, transmission, and fuel system. Sound Performance in Chicago wired the car & performed the initial start-up. Fast Eddie’s Hotrods in Joliet did the paint & body. Everything else was done in my garage.
