Nismo 270R Owner Files Lawsuit Against Fire Chief for Disposing of Rocks on His Vehicle

      CBS News, Middlesex County Superior Court, Nissan

      The phrase “it’s only original once” could determine whether the chief of a volunteer fire department in New Jersey is liable for $500,000 in damages to the owner of a rare 1995 Nismo 270R. After pleading guilty to vandalizing the car by throwing rocks and debris on it, the chief paid $7,973 in restitution. However, the owner is suing for $500,000, arguing that the car will not retain its originality after restoration.

      Mark Bahna parked his 270R—one of about 30 ever made—in his driveway on May 4, 2024. That same day, he discovered the vehicle covered in rocks, dirt, and other materials. Security footage showed Josh Scolnick, the chief of the volunteer Arbor Hose Firehouse, dumping buckets of debris on the car. Bahna resides next to the fire station, and Scolnick reportedly confessed to police that he vandalized the 270R due to discontent with how water from Bahna's property drained onto the fire station's grounds.

      According to the lawsuit, the debris inflicted “extensive damage” to the vehicle, including chips, scratches, and dents, along with damage to the lights, decals, and glass. While the nearly $8,000 that Scolnick has already paid in restitution may cover some repair costs, the lawsuit emphasizes the loss of the 270R’s originality. Bahna asserts that the coupe was a matching-numbers car in "mint condition," still featuring its original paint and decals. He contends it now requires professional restoration, which would significantly diminish its value as an "all-original collector’s specimen." Following the incident, a potential $500,000 sale fell through, and he claims he has been unable to sell the vehicle since.

      Details about the sale are not disclosed. The 270R, a modified version of the S14 Silvia tuned by Nismo, is exceedingly rare and highly sought after. This particular example was reportedly once owned by Japanese racing icon and “Drift King” Keiichi Tsuchiya. However, similar models that have sold recently did so for much lower prices, such as one that went for HK$785,000 (approximately $101,000 at today’s exchange rate) in July 2024. Neither Bring a Trailer nor Cars & Bids has listed one for sale.

      We’re not here to take sides or offer legal guidance, but the outcome of the lawsuit may hinge on whether the restoration genuinely affects the 270R’s value and, importantly, whether Bahna can establish that the car was fully original. This could prove to be challenging unless the coupe is exceptionally well-documented, particularly considering it is a 30-year-old Japanese-market sports car. Are paint meter readings considered dependable proof? Would a touched-up chip on one of the rear wheel arches disqualify the paint as original?

      One example of a 270R on display in Nissan’s museum. Nissan

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