From Video Games to Real Life, A Nissan 240 That Helped Define an Automotive Dream
Whether cars are a hobby for us, or truly a way of life in all we do, the passion that can be shown by enthusiasts is truly admirable.
In the case of Neville Ford, the automotive way of life not only influenced his childhood, but has guided his career and friendships as well, all through a Nissan 240 that became his dream car.
“I got interested in import cars by playing ‘Need for Speed Underground’ with my older cousin as a kid,” said Neville. “That interest led to me taking an automotive class in high school. After that, I decided to pursue automotive as a career through the University of Northwest Ohio (UNOH).”
Once at UNOH, his passion for cars was increased by some friends encouraging him to attend an event. “I had been interested in drifting, watching videos of it in the past,” he said. But I’d never been to an event until some friends at college got me to check it out.”
That first drifting event also reignited the dream to own a Nissan 240, which Neville’s friendship group also assisted with finding and purchasing a few years later. “They helped me find my current car while I was still in college,” said Neville.
Summit Racing Equipment Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse comes to Pontiac, Michigan this Friday - August 11, 2023! For more information, click HERE!
The Nissan 240 was completely stock with an automatic transmission when Neville took possession of it in 2015, so the canvas was there for him to paint the perfect drift car. “Through my friends being in the drifting scene, they helped me get a clear picture and select the right parts to make the car right for drifting,” said Neville.
“The first few years were saving up for a manual transmission swap, then upgrading the suspension, nicer wheels and tires. After about four years, we decided to upgrade the ECU, some of the aero stuff including spoiler and bumper covers, as well as getting a new paint job as well.”
While upgraded the car, Neville was also upgraded his drifting skills at the college. “They would hold autocross events on Sundays, but they would also let you drift the course,” he said. “That was where I first got started with instruction, and it helped me advance a bit quicker.”
Now out of college and with a job in the automotive sector, Neville has kept with that same group of friends for drifting each year, including this week’s Summit Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse.
“We have an entire friend group from college that still have cars and still participate in drifting every year,” Neville admitted. Several will join Neville on the M1 Concourse track, including recent feature Brendon Reaves.
The Summit Sick Powerfest Presented by M1 Concourse is a huge 1-day event coming to Pontiac, Michigan this Friday, August 11th, 2023!
Massive amounts of smoke will come from the burnout competition, as well as the style and engine-screaming sounds of the drifting competition, with $5000 on the line for each!
PLUS, a super-sized Car Corral, nitro-breathing cackle cars, and RC Drag Racing, it’s a full day of fun you won’t want to miss!
Want to participate, or come out to watch all the action? All the information on Summit Sick Powerfest is AVAILABLE HERE!
Spectators: you can get special $10 general admission tickets thanks to Summit Racing! Use the discount code summitracing when you pre-purchase TICKETS HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Neville Ford.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com