Rally-Ready: Modified Nissan Z

Nissan’s SEMA Showcase: Replica 240Z Rally Car

To commemorate the incredible wins achieved by its Datsun 240Z in the East African Safari Rally of 1971 and 1973, the brand is building a modernized Z with a design inspired by the original competition vehicle. It will show off at the 2023 SEMA Show – as will a replica of the classic car itself.

Tommy Pike Customs have engineered the Safari Rally Z Tribute – sporting an appearance paying homage to the 1971 East African Safari Rally champion. Standing out with its black hood and dark red body, this vehicle combines further lighting on the bottom bumper, hood, and A-pillars. With then addition of a small, tubular guard and skid plate connected near the front, this remarkable car gives off an intriguing look.

The interior of the Safari Rally Z Homage includes stylish Recaro Pole Position seating, a bar for installing a four-point strap, and a dashboard on the passenger’s side highlighting a map of the East African Safari Rally itinerary plus some classic timing gadgets.

This Z is mounted on a tailored KW Safari suspension that raises the car by 2.0 inches. Every one of the upper control arms, outer tie rod ends, frontal and rear end-links, rear mid-links, and rear grip arms can be adapted for individualised changes to the drive if required. Prototype Nismo Safari wheels present a wheelbase of 17 inches and an immense width of 7.5 inches. Put together with beefy Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires for additional traction.

This vehicle is set to receive a custom AMS tune that unleashes the strength of its twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 and produces over 400 horsepower, although Nissan does not reveal exact details regarding its power compared to its stock figure. It will also feature a selection of Nismo-branded components, such as a dual-disc clutch, flywheel, heat exchanger, coolant reservoir, cold-air intake, carbon-fiber engine cover, as well as a cat-back exhaust system.

Aside from the recently-introdurned Z sportscar, another replica of the original Datsun 240Z inspired by an East African Safari Rally is additionally presented at SEMA. The car, constructed in 2013 by a private collector, was showcased in a Nissan ad not long ago.

In July, Nissan widened the Z lineup by adding a Nismo version. It enhances the twin-turbo V6 engine to 420 horsepower. The nine-speed automatic transmission has been given a modified tune compared to that of the regular variant. Additionally, new sway bars, refined dampers and firmer springs make up its suspension. Prices for the beginning model start at $66,085, encompassing the $1,095 destination charge.

Nissan shipped a total of 1,309 units of the new Z in 2023 up until their quarterly report ending September. This contrasted sharply with only 86 cars shipped for the equivalent timeframe in the previous year.

Source: Nissan