Young Blood in the Hot Rod Industry: Romarno Johnson's 1964 Nissan Junior
In the heart of Edenvale, a new star has emerged in the world of hot rods. Meet Romarno Johnson, a young enthusiast with a passion for cars that shines brighter than chrome. Romarno has recently completed his first car build, and it's nothing short of spectacular—a 1964 Nissan Junior that's been transformed into a true work of art.
Romarno's journey into the world of hot rods began at the tender age of 14 when he stumbled upon a Nissan Junior languishing in a scrap yard. The sight of the car sparked a fire in his heart, and he knew he had to rescue it from its fate. With determination in his eyes, Romarno convinced his parents to invest in his dream, and they agreed, recognizing his unwavering passion.
With the help of his father, Ryno, and his best friend, Ivan Gesner, Romarno set out to bring his vision to life. The car, though in decent condition overall, needed some serious work, especially on the rear side, which was rusted beyond repair. Undeterred, Romarno and his team decided to scrap the old bin and craft a completely custom one, designed by Romarno himself.
After seven months of painstaking bodywork, the Nissan was ready for paint. Drawing inspiration from a beloved Hot Wheels car, Romarno chose a stunning Turquoise hue that gives the pickup a striking and unique look.
But the customization didn't stop there. The chassis, while in good condition, needed reinforcement to accommodate the planned motor upgrade. Romarno and his team discovered that the Toyota D4d Fortuner front disc brake system was a perfect fit for the Nissan's front suspension, so they upgraded the brakes as well.
The crowning glory of the build, however, is the motor. Romarno scoured the internet and found a 350 Chevy V8 and a turbo 350 gearbox, which he and his father rebuilt themselves. With straight pipe stacks and a Holley Double pumper, the V8 is a beast of an engine that required some serious finesse to fit into the Nissan's engine bay.
Inside, the original seat was recovered, the steering wheel repainted and covered, and custom gauges added to the repaired instrument cluster. Romarno sourced most of the parts from his father's garage, leftovers from previous projects, adding his own flair with individual knobs made from dice and a key welded onto an old screwdriver.
To complete the look, Romarno's parents surprised him with a set of 20-inch SSW Stamford wheels wrapped in 275x45x20 rubber, giving the Nissan a stance that commands attention.
The entire build took two years, as Romarno could only work on the car on weekends and holidays while still attending school. His next project? A Pontiac Trans Am. We can't wait to see what this young talent has in store for us next.
Romarno would like to extend his heartfelt thanks to his family and friends for their support, especially his father, Ryno Johnson, for his guidance and expertise throughout the build. With mentors like Ryno, the future of the hot rod industry is in good hands.
