Nissan has another thing to celebrate this year beyond its GT-R heritage, because 2019 also marks the 50th anniversary of its Z sports cars. To mark the occasion, the Japanese carmaker is presenting this, the 2020 Nissan 370Z 50th Anniversary Edition.
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Unveiled in New York recently – the same city where the original Datsun 240Z (S30) made its United States debut half a century ago – the special edition model pays homage to the #46 BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises) Datsun 240Z that won multiple SCCA National Championships with John Morton behind the wheel.
The car itself is based on the Nissan 370Z, which is the sixth generation in the Z line-up after the S30, S130, Z31, Z32 and Z33. Mechanically, the car retains the familiar VQ37VHR 3.7 litre naturally-aspirated V6 engine that develops 332 hp and 366 Nm of torque. Customers will be able to order the car with either a six-speed manual that features a rev-matching system, or a seven-speed automatic.
Other driving-related items include 14-inch front and 13.8-inch rear rotors with four-piston front and two-piston rear aluminum calipers, Bridgestone Potenza S007 tyres mounted on 19-inch RAYS lightweight forged aluminium alloy wheels.
What makes the car truly unique is the livery applied on it that draws inspiration from the original #46 BRE race car, and is avaialble in two schemes: white with red accents, or silver with black accents. You’ve probably seen such a scheme on the IDx Nismo concept previously as well.
Highlights include two signature stripes on the side of the car, as well as the painted trunk, hood, side mirrors and A-pillars in the accent color (red for the white car and black for the silver car).
Down the sides of the car, there’s a thin line that runs from the headlamps to the rear window, which ends with a small triangle inspired by the C-pillar of the Datsun 240Z. Also part of the get-up are dedicated badges on the front fender and rear, plus red accents on the RAYS wheels.
Inside, the 50th Anniversary Edition gets unique logos on the tachometer and seat headrests, along with a special Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, floor mats, unique interior stitching, new kickplates and additional synthetic suede door panel inserts.
“It’s no secret that the Datsun 240Z started the ball rolling for Japanese sports cars in the US. Almost as well known in Z history is how Peter Brock’s competition-tuned 240Z changed the American motorsports landscape. After the BRE 240Z debuted in 1970, Nissan/Datsun became one of the most successful companies in American motorsports – with thousands of victories over the past five decades,” said Ivan Espinosa, Nissan’s corporate vice president of global product strategy and planning.
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Come on, Nissan, you can design better and give the Z proper wheels, right?