Bill MacKenzie - 2000 Nissan Silvia
Story by Adam Gordon
Photography by Sebastian Miller (@_sebastian_miller_)
Bill MacKenzie鈥檚 2000 Nissan Silvia S15 is not the high-horsepower SR20DET build many expect from Nissan鈥檚 final Silvia chassis. Instead, MacKenzie shaped his dream car into a clean, restomod-inspired forever build, blending Porsche Chalk paint, Nismo aero, period-correct Super Advan V2 wheels, and carefully executed custom details into an S15 that feels timeless rather than trend-driven.
鈥淭he S15 was forever my dream car and I wanted to have a clean, well-built example as a forever car,鈥� he explains. Instead of treating it like a tuner project, MacKenzie pulled inspiration from the classic and restomod world, leaning on craftsmanship and timeless detailing to craft his build.
The base car was far from perfect. It was cheap, mistreated, and rough enough that it needed a strip down to a bare shell. That ground-up process gave MacKenzie a chance to take it in a direction rarely seen with S15s. Six years later, the car stands as a reimagined version of Nissan鈥檚 final Silvia, blending factory styling cues with custom work that pays tribute to restoration practices as much as it does to modern tuning.
One of the most distinctive choices was keeping the DE engine. Rather than chase the usual turbocharged SR route, MacKenzie focused on refining the naturally aspirated setup. A Blitz intake, Fujitsubo header and exhaust, and Chase Bays reservoirs tuck neatly under the hood, while custom 3D-printed fuse box and reservoir mounts emphasize the restomod ethos. A Vintage Air A/C system ensures daily usability and comfort weren鈥檛 lost in the pursuit of clean aesthetics.
That philosophy carries through the rest of the car. Nismo mounts, a short shifter, and an understated drivetrain setup keep the driving experience sharp without overcomplication. Suspension follows suit, with BC Racing coilovers paired to Cusco, Powerflex, and Next! Miracle bracing for a rigid, responsive chassis. A Parts Shop Max big-brake kit, Z32 master cylinder, and ISR braided lines provide balanced stopping power.
Visually, the Silvia has been reworked without losing its core identity. Nismo aero pieces remain true to Nissan鈥檚 design language, while Porsche Chalk paint places the car in a different design space altogether 鈥� one that feels equally at home among European restomods and modern JDM builds. Subtle custom touches like fog-light mounts in the bumper, Aerowolf mirror visors, and 3D-printed accents add individuality. Seventeen-inch Super Advan V2 wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan Fleva tires complete a stance that feels period-correct yet contemporary.
Inside, the Silvia maintains that same balance between period-correct and refreshed. A Nardi wheel, Yashio Factory shift knob, and Option B seats preserve its driver-focused heritage, while custom panels and 3D-printed trays refine the finish. A rear-seat delete with display window hints at show-level execution, but practicality remains: a Pioneer double-DIN head unit and Vintage Air system make sure it鈥檚 still a car to be enjoyed on the road.
This S15 resists easy classification. The DE engine choice alone sets it apart, but what truly defines it is the restraint behind every decision. MacKenzie鈥檚 vision turned a once-abused shell into a forever car 鈥� one shaped not by trend or power figures, but by deliberate craftsmanship and a clear sense of purpose.
Originally featured in 乐播传媒 Issue #183
ESSENTIALS
VEHICLE:
2000 Nissan Silvia
LOCATION:
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
HORSEPOWER:
160 whp
CLUB:
officialTHREETWENTY
SOCIAL:
IG:
ENGINE:
Blitz intake + Fujitsubo header + Mazworx head studs + Chase Bays (reservoirs, carbon-fiber overlays, and tucked lines) + PRP valve cover hardware + GReddy radiator hoses + HKS belts + Tomei oil cap + Custom 3D-printed fuse box and reservoir mounts + Downstar hardware + Vintage Air A/C system + Custom radiator ducting + PIAA horns
EXHAUST:
Fujitsubo exhaust
DRIVETRAIN:
Nismo engine mounts + Nismo transmission mount + Short shifter
WHEELS / TIRES / BRAKES:
Advan Racing Super Advan V2 wheels - 17x8 +35 front, 17x8.5 +35 rear + Yokohama Advan Fleva tires - 215/45R17 front, 235/45R17 rear + Parts Shop Max big brake kit + Z32 brake master cylinder + Cusco master cylinder stopper + ISR braided brake lines
CHASSIS / SUSPENSION:
BC Racing BR Type coilovers + Powerflex bushings + Nismo steering rack mounts + Cusco strut bars + Next! Miracle X Bar + Next! Miracle upper bar + Spec R B-pillar braces
EXTERIOR:
Nismo S-Tune front bumper + Nismo R-Tune rear bumper + Porsche Chalk paint + Lighting upgrades + Custom tow hook + Custom fog-light mounts in Nismo bumper + Aerowolf mirror visors + Nismo clear side markers and gas cap + 326Power license plate bolts + LED lights
INTERIOR:
Nardi steering wheel + Yashio Factory shift knob + Option B blue seats and door cards + Next! Miracle cross bar and upper bar + Spec R silver gauge-face trim and cluster + Custom rear seat delete panels with display window + Alcantara shift boot + Custom horn button + Nightrunner x Works Bell quick-release + THREETWENTY horn button + RedlineGoods Alcantara shift boot + Burnt titanium hardware + Custom 3D-printed tool and hardware tray + Downstar hardware
AUDIO / MOBILE ELECTRONICS:
Pioneer double-DIN head unit
PHOTO CREDIT:
Photography by Sebastian Miller 鈥�
GALLERY
