Here’s the thing: lately, people suck. Actually, let me re-phrase that: people don’t suck; the internet makes them seem as if they suck. People in person are great, but put them behind a keyboard or a phone and some type of suck starts to happen (this goes for me as well). However, instead of ranting, being negative and contributing to the suck, I’ve decided to change the subject and talk about something that doesn’t suck – not even a little. That something is Melvin del Rosario and his 1993 240SX.
Melvin’s turbo-powered KA24DE probably doesn’t show up in your newsfeed as much as it should. This midori green S13 isn’t what we would call “internet famous” – it’s not notorious or infamous, but that doesn’t make it any less awesome. What you’re looking at is a hidden gem.
I originally met Mel over a year and a half ago on my first trip to Chicago for the Club FR event. At that point, he was drifting a BMW due to his S13 being out of commission. Mel also became our unofficial tour guide, bartender and DJ on that trip. He graciously reprised this role in the week leading up to Final Bout.
Fast forward a year later and I was back in Chicago for Final Bout. We had just finished some delicious Korean BBQ and were gathered in the parking lot. In true Final Bout fashion, plenty of the “competitors” had driven their drift cars to dinner. But no matter how jaw dropping every car was in that lot, I found myself continually revisiting a car that wasn’t even participating in the event.
One might argue that Mel’s car didn’t stick out like crazy. Honda fans might call painting it that colour “blasphemy” and at first glance, you might be right. It doesn’t come fitted with the nostalgia of a Japanese racing livery, but it also doesn’t travel in packs of colour-matched chassis’ like some of the other crowd favourites.
What Mel so effortlessly pulls off is simplicity. Don’t get me wrong; I’m all for liveries and team colour-matching, but there’s something enticing about this Version Select Version VI Aero-fitted S13. Pair that with a few Kouki parts and a set of white Work Emotion XD9’s and you have something that’s just plain cool. Usually I’m a strong advocate of the SR20DET and at first, I was surprised to discover that Mel had chosen to build the KA – especially given the the company he keeps. Mel explained the cost of an SR without supporting mods would be the equivalent of building a KA, and building a KA would result in a ton of torque and reliable power. Intercooler, fuel mods and GTX turbo would have happened on either motor, so he figured it might as well go on a built motor.
The beauty of this S-Chassis is it doesn’t require an explanation to your non-car friends. Take it from a guy who’s spent more time then he should explaining car culture and style to non-car people… it gets old real fast. There’s no need to explain inspiration or back story if he chooses not to; it can just be that “cool green car.” But under that cool green exterior, there are plenty of parts and their significance that your car friends will understand. I guess what I’m trying to say is it demands attention from those who can appreciate it, while looking right at home on the street or the track.
I think that’s what makes this car so great and why I admire it so much. Look around the internet and there’s always someone copping or knocking someone else’s “steeze.” So many people are demanding attention and looking for validation. Instagram and other social media outlets are full of people trying to get their 15 minutes of obscure sub-culture fame. The internet can bring out the worst in us with followers to followees ratios, and accumulated likes have become fuel for egos. But that just doesn’t seem to be the case with Mel or his car. He’s just a genuine guy with a genuinely cool car and an attitude that serves as a reminder of just how cool the car scene can be.
1993 Nissan 240SX
Exterior
- Version Select Version VI Aero Kit
- OEM 180SX Type-X Wing
- OEM 180SX Taillights
- Raybrig Sealed Beam Conversion Housings
- 6000K HID
- Ganador Aero Mirrors
- Midori Green Paint
Interior
- Bride Driver and Passenger Seats
- Bride driver side rail
- Buddy Club passenger side rail
- NRG Short Hub
- NRG Quick Release
- Personal 330mm Steering Wheel
- TF Drift Knob
- Apexi EL 60mm Boost Gauge
- Innovate Wide Band Gauge
- STACK Water Temp Gauge
- STACK Oil Pressure Gauge
- TF Checker Floor Mats
- Pioneer AVID D3 Headunit
- Sony 4”x6” Front Speakers
- Pioneer 6.5” Rear Speakers
- Sony 10” Subwoofer
- Sony 600watt amp
- Pivot Headlight Controller
Engine
- KA24DE
- 89.5mm CP Pistons
- Eagle H Beam Rods
- ACL Bearings
- Block Copper O-Ringed
- Brian Crower Valve Guides
- SR20DET Valve Seals
- ARP Head Studs
- Cometic Headgasket
- Cometic Top/Bottom End Gasket Set
- Garret GTX2863R Turbo
- ISIS Exhaust Manifold
- ISIS Intercooler Kit
- ISIS Intake Elbow
- K&N Air Filter
- Z32 MAF
- Megan Racing Turbo Elbow
- Megan Racing Downpipe
- Test Pipe
- Buddy Club SpecII Exhaust
- Circuit Sports 720cc Injectors
- Walbro Fuel Pump
- Greddy Type-RZ Blow off valve
- Circuit Sports Overflow Tank
- Greddy Swirl Tank
- Mishimoto Radiator
- Mishimoto Dual Fans with Shroud
- Powered By Max Magnetic Oil Drain Plug
- NGK Spark Plug Wires
- NGK BKR7E Spark Plugs
- Circuit Sports Fan Controller
- HKS EVC 5 Boost Controller
- Enthalpy ROM Tune
- Xcessive Manufacturing Lowering Motor Mount Brackets
- Circuit Sports Solid Motor Mounts
- Black Powder Coated Valve Cover
- Full Factory Air Conditioning
Drivetrain
- Competition Clutch Stage 5
- Nismo 2-Way Differential
Suspension/Wheels/Brakes
- Stance GR+ Pro Coilovers
- Tein Tension Rods
- Circuit Sports RUCA
- Circuit Sports Rear Toe Links
- Circuit Sports Rear Traction Links
- Stance Subframe Collars
- Modified Front Subframe
- Make An Wake of Art RYO Front Knuckles
- Tein Inner Tie Rods
- Stock S14 Outer Tie Rods
- 25mm Extended Front Lower Control Arms
- Front and Rear Strut Bars
- Energy Suspension Steering rack Bushings
- Ichiba 5-Lug Conversion
- 17×9.5 +17 Work XD9
- 215/40/17 Dunlop Direzza ZII Star Spec (front)
- 215/45/17 Nexen N3000 (rear)
- Muteki Lug Nuts
- Hawk HP Street Front Brake Pads
- Project Mu D1 Spec Rear Brake Pads