Owner: Jarryd
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Instagram: @jkiddzenki

Some cars start as a simple project. Others become something far more personal over time.

For Jarryd, his 1994 Nissan 200SX has grown into a carefully crafted tribute to 90s JDM culture, blending period-correct styling with modern touches while staying true to an OEM+ philosophy.

The inspiration behind the build goes back to one of the most iconic moments in car culture.

“Letty’s S14 in the original Fast and Furious, and the 90s JDM styling is so appealing to me.”

That combination of nostalgia, authenticity and style would shape the direction of the car.

The Vision

The goal for the build was clear from early on.

A clean OEM+ show car that captured the feeling of 90s Japanese tuning culture.

“Low static, big chrome wheels and Bayside Blue.”

Rather than chasing trends, Jarryd focused on building something that could have existed in the golden era of JDM tuning.

The Build

While the car still runs a stock engine for now, the visual and suspension setup defines the build.

Wheels
Blitz 03
18x9.5 +9 front
18x10 +16 rear

Suspension
Custom airbag struts
Airlift 3P management

Exterior
Full genuine body kit
Bayside Blue respray
Open door paint finish

The colour remains Jarryd’s favourite part of the car.

“Definitely the colour.”

But the wheels carry a story of their own. When we asked what the most expensive part of the build has been so far we learnt

“The paint cost more, but the wheels took so long to find and rebuild that I consider them the most expensive part.”

For anyone who has hunted rare wheels, that probably sounds familiar.

The Search for Parts

One of the hardest parts of the build was finding the genuine body kit.

“Overall it took about 2.5 years to find the whole body kit and get the car painted.”

Tracking down original 90s parts often means endless searches, late-night Yahoo Auctions sessions and a lot of patience.

But that attention to authenticity is exactly what makes the finished result so special.

Interior

Inside the car, Jarryd continued the OEM+ JDM theme.

Interior highlights include:

• Genuine JDM white-face cluster

• Greddy Grex components

• Recaro SR3 confetti seats

• Kokaine steering wheel

One detail that stands out is the clever placement of the air suspension controller.

“The hard-mounted Airlift controller under the radio, utilizing the factory ashtray.”

It is a small detail, but one that perfectly fits the clean factory-style interior.

What the Car Means

After four years of work, the car has become far more than just a project.

“This car means everything to me. It’s the result of four years of grinding, deep diving into 90s JDM parts and late-night Yahoo Auctions.”

The build also carried Jarryd through a difficult time.

“This car got me through a very emotional breakup and it’s also how I met some of my closest friends.”

For many enthusiasts, cars become a bridge to a community, and that sense of belonging is often the most rewarding part of the journey.

The Beginning

The car’s story actually started with an unexpected background.

Jarryd bought the S14 completely stock from a mechanic who had purchased it from an elderly owner who kept the car from 1997 to 2019, complete with full service history and maintenance records.

For a long time it remained untouched while Jarryd decided on the direction for the build.

Eventually the decision was made to go OEM+, sourcing genuine JDM panels and components to complete the look.

Setbacks

Every build has challenges.

For Jarryd, the biggest scare came shortly after the engine bay had just been freshly painted.

“The car was stolen from my work about two weeks after the engine bay paint.”

Fortunately he was able to immobilise the car and recover it with minimal damage.

“I managed to get it back with only a broken ignition barrel, so I came out of it pretty good all things considered.”

Favourite Moments

For Jarryd, the best moments are simple ones.

“Cruising around with all my close car friends in their super cool cars. Cool people, cool cars and super chill vibes.”

That is often what car culture is really about.

What’s Next

The build is far from finished.

“The build is definitely still evolving.”

The next stage will focus on power modifications, finally giving the car the performance to match its presence.

“I’ve got my eyes on another rear bumper and about to start the power mods.”

Quick Fire

Dream Car
R34 GTR

Dream Wheels
Blitz 03

Favourite Air Freshener
Coconut

Favourite Automotive Event
Status Seasonal

Manual or Auto
Manual

Street or Track
Street

After Dark Society

Jarryd’s S14 is a perfect example of what After Dark Society represents.

A car built patiently over years.
A deep appreciation for genuine 90s JDM culture.
And a project that continues to evolve long after the first vision.

Sometimes the best builds are the ones that take time.