Tuesday 31st October 2023

Nissan reveals one-off Safari Rally Z Tribute

Datsun 240Z homage isn't electric or four-wheel drive or even automatic - and all the better for it

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While it unquestionably looks the part, the initial response to the not-for-Europe Nissan Z was not uniformly complimentary. However, it is a rear-drive sports car and does feature a manual gearbox mated to a hearty 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 - so we’re prepared to give it quite a lot of rope in this day and age. Even more so in its latest guise as the Safari Rally Z Tribute, a one-off homage to Nissan’s motorsport heritage built by Tommy Pike Customs and destined (obviously) for the manufacturer's stand at this year’s SEMA show. 

What heritage specifically? Well, ‘a multi-decade legacy of rallying success’ of course - but really it’s the Datsun 240Z that won the 1971 East African rally which has been plucked from the curio hat. Granted, the victory is probably not in many people's rallying top ten, but on the basis that the long-running event covered over 3,800 miles, we’re going to say that the success of driver Edgar Hermann and navigator Hans Schuller was no mean feat - especially in the good old days of (often terrifying) long distance off-road racing. 

Moreover, it provides a neat starting point for a tricked-out Z because the model is so flagrantly indebted to the 240Z’s design. So while Nissan admits it has leaned ‘into the trend for rugged, go-anywhere “safari” builds’, it’s safe to say that the show car rather suits its combination of raised suspension (by two inches) and 17-inch prototype Nismo Safari wheels (shod in Geolander all-terrain tyres). It ought to sound the business, too, with a Nismo track cat-back system sporting 2.25-inch stainless steel piping. 

More importantly, the concept retains the VR30DDTT motor (tuned beyond 400hp here) and its six-speed manual - oh, and just the one driven axle. Throw in a custom roll cage and Recaro Pole Position seats with four-point harnesses, and we’re willing to bet that it’s probably as fun to drive as it is to look at once you find it some gravel to throw around. As much fun as the vintage replica of the rally-winning 240Z that Nissan found to photograph it alongside? Who knows. But it's safe to say we'd try either ahead of the 1,341hp Hyper Force concept that the manufacturer revealed in Tokyo last week. Go figure. 

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• 2023 Nissan Z | PH Review
• Nissan Hyper Force concept previews electric GT-R

[Kipsrs]

“as fun to drive as it is to look at once you find it some gravel to throw around” or the roads here in GB, this would make a fantastic winter commuter!
I have much want. . . Plus I like the look of it.

[Augustus Windsock]

Not my ‘thang’ but hard to criticise when Porsche do pretty much the same thing with a ‘Dakar’ homage and charge the earth for it.

[Paddy78]

I really want one of these - even just a normal one. I loved my 350z and this ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. So sad that the only way to get one would be to import...

[flukey5]

So often these days, car companies do a 'tribute' or homage car and perform a photoshoot with the original.

The original then serves to completely upstage the new model as in these photos.


That 240z would be my pick.

[redroadster]

A standard car would do me never mind this tribute ,bring it it last of the junior muscle cars .

[cerb4.5lee]

Paddy78 said:

I really want one of these - even just a normal one. I loved my 350z and this ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. So sad that the only way to get one would be to import...

I'd love a normal one as well. Everytime I see these...it is a big case of really wanting what you can't have for me.

I might have to look into the import route myself one day as you mention.

[WPA]

flukey5 said:

So often these days, car companies do a 'tribute' or homage car and perform a photoshoot with the original.

The original then serves to completely upstage the new model as in these photos.


That 240z would be my pick.

Agreed

[C5_Steve]

cerb4.5lee said:

Paddy78 said:

I really want one of these - even just a normal one. I loved my 350z and this ticks a hell of a lot of boxes. So sad that the only way to get one would be to import...

I'd love a normal one as well. Everytime I see these...it is a big case of really wanting what you can't have for me.

I might have to look into the import route myself one day as you mention.

I'm in, would love one of these.

[gruppeb86]

WPA said:

flukey5 said:

So often these days, car companies do a 'tribute' or homage car and perform a photoshoot with the original.

The original then serves to completely upstage the new model as in these photos.


That 240z would be my pick.

Agreed

++

[PZR]

gruppeb86 said:

WPA said:

flukey5 said:

So often these days, car companies do a 'tribute' or homage car and perform a photoshoot with the original.

The original then serves to completely upstage the new model as in these photos.


That 240z would be my pick.

Agreed

++

Ironic that the new USA-built 'Tribute' car is being paired for this promotion - and shown at SEMA - alongside a car which is itself a 'Tribute' to the original 1971 East African Safari Rally winning 240Z.

Meanwhile, the *actual* 1971 East African Safari Rally winning car still exists, and is part of Nissan's Heritage Collection in Japan.

[ArnageWRC]

flukey5 said:

So often these days, car companies do a 'tribute' or homage car and perform a photoshoot with the original.

The original then serves to completely upstage the new model as in these photos.


That 240z would be my pick.

I'm inclined to agree.....these just remind me of Tony Fall.....

[nismo48]

Augustus Windsock said:

Not my ‘thang’ but hard to criticise when Porsche do pretty much the same thing with a ‘Dakar’ homage and charge the earth for it.

Agree

[_ppan]

2,25" sounds small to me. N/A performance engines 1.8 liters or bigger often have an ideal diameter of 2,5". Let alone a 3 liter turbo with 400hp...