Datsun's iconic 240Z holds a special place in the hearts of motorsport enthusiasts, especially for its remarkable victories in the East African Safari Rally in 1971 and 1973. In a nod to these historic achievements, the brand is set to make a striking appearance at the 2023 SEMA Show with a modern Z that pays homage to the legendary rally car. What's more, a faithful replica of the original rally-winning Datsun 240Z will also grace the event.
Crafted by the skilled hands of Tommy Pike Customs, the "Safari Rally Z Tribute" draws its inspiration from the 1971 East African Safari Rally champion. Sporting a captivating dark red body and a contrasting black hood, this Z is a sight to behold. The front end boasts an array of additional lighting on the lower bumper, hood, and the base of the A-pillars, ensuring exceptional visibility during the most challenging off-road adventures. Adding to its rugged appeal, a small tubular guard and a sturdy skid plate are affixed to the nose, safeguarding the vehicle from harsh terrain.
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Inside, the Safari Rally Z Tribute pampers its occupants with Recaro Pole Position seats and a harness bar, providing a secure anchoring point for a four-point safety harness. For an extra touch of nostalgia, the passenger-side dashboard features a map of the East African Safari Rally course and retro-style timing equipment.
When it comes to performance, this Z is more than just eye candy. It rides on a custom KW Safari suspension, raising the ride height by 2.0 inches to conquer uneven landscapes. The upper control arms, outer tie rod ends, front and rear end-links, rear mid-links, and rear traction arms are all fully adjustable, allowing drivers to fine-tune the ride to suit their specific needs. The car is equipped with prototype Nismo Safari wheels measuring 17 inches in diameter and 7.5 inches in width, complemented by chunky Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires designed for tackling rough terrain.
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Under the hood, an AMS tune elevates the already potent twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 engine to over 400 horsepower, though exact figures remain undisclosed by Nissan. To maximize performance, numerous Nismo components are incorporated, including a twin-disc clutch, flywheel, heat exchanger, coolant expansion tank, cold-air intake, carbon-fiber engine cover, and a throaty cat-back exhaust.
In addition to the contemporary rally-inspired Z, a true gem awaits enthusiasts at SEMA. A painstakingly crafted replica of the original Datsun 240Z that triumphed in the East African Safari Rally graces the showroom floor. This exceptional vehicle, on loan from a dedicated collector, even made a memorable appearance in a recent Nissan commercial.
Nissan enthusiasts received another treat earlier this year when the company introduced the Nismo model, boosting the twin-turbo V6 to an impressive 420 horsepower. With a nine-speed automatic transmission, revised tuning, and a reengineered suspension, the Nismo Z takes performance to another level. Prices for this powerful addition to the Z lineup start at $66,085, including the $1,095 destination fee.
As the demand for these iconic cars grows, Nissan delivered 1,309 units of the new Z in 2023 up to the end of the third quarter in September, a substantial increase from the 86 cars delivered during the same period in 2022. The resurgence of the Z legacy is well underway, and the SEMA Show is the perfect place to celebrate it.