Back in 1971,
a Datsun 240Z
rally car emerged victorious in the East African Safari Rally, showcasing a truly remarkable
performance. To pay homage to that iconic desert racer,
Nissan has unveiled a Safari Rally Z Tribute car at the SEMA Show, taking place from October 31 to November 3. As a devoted advocate of “Rally All the Cars,” I wholeheartedly endorse this endeavor and hope that Nissan dares to push boundaries by
considering production for this extraordinary creation.
The Nissan Rally Z Tribute is the brainchild of Tommy Pike and his team at Tommy Pike Customs in South Carolina, crafted specifically for Nissan’s showcase at SEMA among its lineup of concepts. However, this is not merely a showpiece vehicle; this off-road ready Z is equipped with the necessary mechanical enhancements to tackle authentic Safari terrain.
Thanks to a customized KW Safari suspension and Nismo components, the vehicle boasts a raised ride height of two inches. This elevation enables the fitting of 17×7.5-inch Nismo Safari prototype wheels wrapped in Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires. Enhanced with a front bumper guard,
skid plate, rally lights on the hood and front bumper for desert night visibility, and custom Recaro Pole Position seats complete with four-point harnesses to ensure passenger safety and comfort. Whether Nissan intends to utilize the Safari Rally Z Tribute for purposes beyond a dazzling auto show display remains uncertain, but it certainly appears more than capable.
The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 benefits from a cold-air intake, a cat-back exhaust, and a twin-disc clutch and flywheel for the manual transmission. Nissan asserts that the engine now delivers more power than the stock Z’s 400 horsepower, although the exact figure remains undisclosed.
The team at Tommy Pike Customs executed an exceptional job in recreating the appearance of the new Z to resemble the ’71 rally champion, with a nearly identical paint scheme and sponsorship design. Undoubtedly, it’s exceedingly challenging to surpass the aesthetics of the original 240Z, given its flawless initial design, yet Tommy Pike and Nissan deserve recognition for delivering a befitting homage to the world.
Seiko was among the primary sponsors of the 1971 240Z rally vehicle. To commemorate their alliance, Seiko and Nissan joined forces once more to create the exclusive Seiko Safari Z watch, set to debut alongside the Safari Z Tribute at SEMA. The watch emulates the original sponsorship graphics, sports a black/red/blue NATO strap, features a caliber 6N52 quartz movement, and will be limited to only 240 units.
There is a slim chance that Nissan will ever put this Safari Z into production, given its current challenges in selling standard Zs. However, considering that both Porsche and Lamborghini are creating rally versions of their sports cars, we can speculate on what Nissan’s next move might involve.
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