Nissan Pays Homage to Rally Racing Heritage with "Safari Rally Z Tribute"

Revealed at this year’s SEMA show, Nissan has effectively turned back the clock but with a modern twist, as it introduced the Safari Rally Z Tribute. The vehicle, designed by Tommy Pike Customs, is an homage to the brand’s motorsport heritage — specifically drawing on inspirations from the Datsun 240Z Safari rally car.

Based on the seventh-generation Nissan Z, the Tribute takes several cues from the Datsun 240Z, the champion of the 1971 East African Safari Rally. It also includes a variety of modern engineering updates, including a suspension upgrade that’s increased its ride height by 2 inches, using custom KW Safari and NISMO suspension parts. Additionally, the vehicle is equipped with 17 x 7.5-inch prototype NISMO Safari wheels wrapped in Yokohama GEOLANDAR M/T G003 tires.

Other modern modifications to the Safari Rally Z Tribute include an AMS-tuned VR30DDTT engine, which boasts over 400 HP, as well as a NISMO Track cat-back exhaust system, cold air intake and a variety of other enhancements designed to tackle rugged rally terrains.

Accompanying the Tribute is a meticulously restored, vintage Datsun 240Z rally car, on loan from collector Randy Jaffe. The authentic restoration brings the 1971 rally victory to life, both complementing and contrasting against the modern-day ruggedness of the Z Tribute.

Those interested in seeing the vehicles in person can visit Nissan’s showcase booth #52141 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, where the Z Tribute and restored 240Z will be on display until November 3.

At the time of writing, Nissan has not shared details or plans for a public-facing offering of the vehicle and it is assumed to be a one-of-one custom build.

Elsewhere in automotive, Ferrari launches a non-competitive track example of its Le Mans-Winning 499P.