The Datsun 240Z, the winner of the 1971 East African Safari Rally, is honored in the Nissan Safari Rally Z Tribute.
The Z, created by Tommy Pike Customs, has a two-inch elevation because of a stronger suspension system and massive Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires.
Over 400 horsepower has been tweaked out of the V-6 engine. In addition, the modified Z features a twin-disc clutch and flywheel, cold air intake, and cat-back exhaust.
Since trucks and SUVs have dominated the market, off-roading has become more and more popular. To strengthen their crossovers, automakers have introduced new sub-brands, such as Honda’s TrailSport and Subaru’s Wilderness. Sports vehicles have also been impacted by the go-anywhere craze; Porsche and Lamborghini, for example, created the 911 Dakar and Huracán Sterrato, respectively. Nissan is showcasing its own interpretation of the trend at the 2023 SEMA exhibition, which opens this week in Las Vegas, with this Tommy Pike Customs-built Safari Rally Z Tribute.
Nissan already commemorated the rally-spec Datsun 240Z that won the 3800-mile 1971 East African Safari Rally with a Juke-based prototype a few years ago. This tribute pays respect to that vehicle. Nissan hired Tommy Pike Customs of South Carolina to complete the build. Tommy Pike Customs previously created an Ariya inspired by a woody wagon and a 1987 Sunny truck powered by a Leaf for the SEMA exhibition. The Datsun 240Z Safari replica will be parked next to the upgraded Z sports car.
Tommy Pike Customs added some significant enhancements to the aggressively designed sports vehicle. The Tribute build’s unique KW safari suspension, which also has strut tower brace, adjustable upper control arms, and other parts from Nissan’s in-house tuner NISMO, raises the vehicle 2.0 inches. The tires on these distinctive black 17.0-inch wheels are large Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 225/65 tires.
A front bumper guard and skid plate shield the greasy areas, while a bevy of auxiliary LED lights protruding from the front end improve visibility in low light and dusty environments. Recaro bucket seats are securely fastened to the driver’s roll bar within the Z, which is connected to four-point harnesses.
Additionally, AMS Performance has adjusted the V-6 engine to produce more horsepower than the 400 it now has; however, Nissan did not disclose the exact amount of improvement. Additional under-the-hood features include a flywheel and twin-disc clutch, a heat exchanger, a carbon-fiber engine cover, and a cold air inlet.
Additionally, a cat-back exhaust with laser-etched NISMO branding was fitted by Tommy Pike Customs. The 1971 car’s “11” on the doors is replaced with a livery that resembles the original rally car’s, but with the number “23” on the doors to complete the look.
Though we don’t think this off-road Z will ever go into production, maybe Nissan will sell some of these pieces to do-it-yourselfers who want to build their own rally special.