Workshop – Gripshiftslide https://gripshiftslide.com motorsport photography, Melbourne based, Car features, Motorsport events, Car Shows Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:53:04 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://gripshiftslide.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/favicon.png Workshop – Gripshiftslide https://gripshiftslide.com 32 32 27730113 Nic Wilson's Drift JZX 100 Build :: Part 1 https://gripshiftslide.com/2015/07/15/nic-wilsons-drift-jzx-100-build-part-1/ Wed, 15 Jul 2015 12:04:50 +0000 http://gripshiftslide.com/?p=5005 Nic Wilson Drift Build
Nic Wilson is no stranger to professional drifting, nor to the ever capable Toyota JZX chassis. Competing both locally in Australia and abroad in Japan year in-year out, Nic has built a reputation for throwing these sleek Japanese sedans sideways with his trademark aggressive Australian style. Now with the clock ticking Nic is in the midst of a brand new drift build of exceptional quality.


Competing in the next Australian Drifting GP season Nic is set to raise the bar with his new rig. This particular JZX100 chassis has sat on Nic’s property for years, waiting for an opportune moment to be rebuilt and driven hard. With the build well and truly under way now, he’s on track to debut the car at ADGP round 1 this September.

We’ve been granted exclusive access during all stages of the build , we’ll be updating you frequently as Nic and his sponsors charge towards that first blast around the dome at Calder Park, Melbourne on September 5th.

To kick things off, Nic and his team of sponsors and supporters started with the handling package. The car was stripped to a bare shell and fully seam-welded, a race-spec cage was installed by Black Spade Fabrication Co.

Further stiffening the body you’ll find a Cusco underbody triangle brace and Tom’s underbody rear brace.

The suspension comprises a set of Arogosta coilovers set to 22kg at the Front and 10kg at the Rear along with some Kazama auto rear arms.

In the back you’ll find an unmistakeable ATL 15 gallon fuel cell featuring a Bosch 044 pump and an inbult surge tank, this was test fitted in its own custom mount before being removed before painting takes place.

For the super-wide steering angle that we’ve come to know Nic for, we’ll be seeing him utilise a Heyman products 800ps knuckle lock kit. Between Nic and the road are these impressive 18×10.5 ET+12 Gaia wheels on all four corners.

Rounding out the current wave of installations is a Bride racing seat & rail…

A requisite for all serious drift cars!

This weekend the car will be sent to Rusty’s Restorations for a bold new paint scheme. Stay tuned for our next update to see what Nic has chosen. We can’t wait to see it in the flesh!

As for the drive line… We’re staying tight-lipped for now, until a later update.

Nic would like to thank his Sponsors and Supporters:
PowerVehicles.com
Japanese Parts and Performance Gold Coast
Black Spade Fabrication Co.
Rusty’s Restorations
Jaustech Automotive
Imajess Photography

We would like to thank Nic for sharing his build with us, it’s shaping up to be an amazing machine with some very skilled people behind it. Keep your eyes out for part 2!!
Thanks for reading,
Leigh.
Photos courtesy of : http://whereisleigh.com/

]]> 5005 Workshop Spotlight :: JVN Garage https://gripshiftslide.com/2014/08/18/workshop-spotlight-jvn-garage/ Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:59:46 +0000 http://gripshiftslide.com/?p=4646 EP3R Toyota Cressida
Melbourne is now home to a different kind of workshop.  A young man named Johnny, has held onto a dream for many years while he worked his hands to the bone for a few well established performance workshops around town.
With the help of family and friends, he has opened the doors to his very own slice of automotive culture.
JVN Garage is now the go-to place for servicing and maintaining your pride and joy.  There are also future plans to include a selection of local brands to display clothing and products to tie into the lifestyle of young motoring enthusiasts.
I popped in for a visit on day one to see what Johnny had been busy building these last few months…


The factory has belonged to his family for 20 years and as Johnny grew, so did the family business. Soon it became too big for the south eastern factory and Johnny decided this would be the perfect home for his new business venture.  He has spent close to 6 months tirelessly cleaning and fitting out the garage with the very best equipment and tools he could find.

Inside you’ll find not one, but two hoists!  The aim will be to get the cars out as quickly as they will no doubt be coming in.

We’re sure many hours will be spent sitting at this bench perfecting and fabricating all sorts of exhausts and mounts…

JVN GarageJVN Garage

This was a test pipe being fabbed up for a cafe racer.
While JVN will primarily be a maintenance & service workshop, don’t be surprised if you spot some exciting cars/builds in the shop.  When Johnny is not under a car fixing it or writing music, you’ll find him sliding his SR20 swapped KE70 around at local drift days… so he loves his performance cars too.

As an avid DIY home mechanic with a habit for losing every tool I’ve ever needed, seeing a workshop as clean and meticulous as this is like stepping through the pearly gates into garage heaven!

This is a one stop shop! JVN has a tyre changer and wheel balancer on deck, so there really isn’t much that Johnny and the team cannot do for you.

Move up stairs and you’ll find a stark contrast to the industrial machines and tools below…

You’ll be transported home to a lounge with some spare rooms and plenty of distractions to keep things fun between jobs.

JVN GarageJVN Garage

Air hockey and fooseball will prove to be a favourite during lunch breaks.

Johnny has a strong passion for music, so his decks are never more than a few meters away.

JVN GarageJVN Garage

Cars and music, music and cars.

Downstairs this Toyota GS300 was in for a quick wheel change.

Out with the old and in with the new. Enkei RPF1’s look great on anything!

Outside, the front was filling up with some cars ready for the big launch night ahead.

This MX32 Cressida was gorgeous from every angle.  The owner suggested this was its’ bad side, but we still don’t see it.

From Toyota’s to Honda’s, nothing is out of place at JVN.

This EP3 looked simple but had plenty of additions everywhere you looked.

JVN GarageJVN Garage

We spotted a stealthy carbon intake hidden between the bonnet and windscreen and a host of gauges inside.

The team from Frush banded together to help kick off the new workshop for it’s launch night and it was great to see the local car community already behind the team at JVN.
We would like to wish Johnny all the best with his new workshop and can’t wait to visit again.
If you would like to get in contact with Johnny and the team check out their facebook page or give them a call (03) 8782 4809
Thanks for reading,
– Gwyn.

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