Original Nissan Z restomod features a twin-turbo V6 heart
The classic first-generation Nissan Fairlady Z has been given a very modern makeover, fitted with the heart of its spiritual successor.
The US division of Nissan has teased the ultimate restomod concept, after commissioning its long-time collaborator, drifter Chris Forsberg, to give the classic Fairlady Z a well-needed update.
Forsberg, who won three Formula Drift championships and exclusively competed in Nissans, was tasked with bringing the first-generation Z car – sold in the US as the Datsun S30 – up to modern speed, utilising the parts from the current Z coupe.
Based on the 280Z, the classic coupe’s 2.8-litre straight-six engine was removed, with the twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 from the new Z put in its place, complete with a matching six-speed manual transmission.
Not wanting to stop there, Forsberg fitted the 280Z with Nismo parts, including cold air intakes, a heat exchanger, carbon-fibre engine cover, NISMO R200 limited-slip differential, and a twin-disc clutch and flywheel.
To make more power, a pair of Garrett PMAX turbos were fitted, as well as a larger fuel pump to cope with the added demands.
While no specifications were provided, the current Z Nismo makes 309kW and 520Nm, a significant increase on the 127kW and 240Nm outputs of the original L28 engine under the 280Z’s bonnet.
To keep the extra outputs under control, the suspension has been comprehensively reworked, now featuring front and rear coilovers, a new crossmember, steering rack, control arms, sway bars, and strut tower bars, all of which were supplied by Techno Toy Tuning.
Wilwood six-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers sit behind the 17-inch Nismo LM-RS6 wheels, wrapped in high-performance 245-wide tyres.
Despite the significant works underneath the bodywork, the exterior of the Nissan 280Z has only lightly been gone over, with carbon-fibre wheel-arches, a new bonnet, air dam, bumpers, rear hatch and spoiler hidden by the Seiran Blue paintwork.
Inside, the cabin has also been given a refresh, with OMP classic bucket seats matching the new door cards, while there’s custom gauges, a new steering wheel and a Nismo shift knob.
While Nissan says the S30 Concept isn’t available for purchase, it reflects the long-lasting tunability of the platform which debuted more than 50 years ago.
The Datsun S30 Concept will be on display at this year’s SEMA show in Las Vegas, alongside a track-ready version of the new Z – called the Nissan Project NAT2 SCCA Touring 2 Z.
