Could this be the retro-modern Z we’ve all been waiting for? Reality tells us chances are slim, but it does give Z-car fans something to dream about. This rendering was created by a designer from X-Tomi Design, using the Fiat 124 as a base and grafting a “hardtop” on.

 

The Fiat 124 is actually built using the Miata chassis, so any hope of Nissan building this neo-240z by collaborating with Mazda is unlikely. Reality aside, we absolutely love this design and it hits all the right notes with styling cues that are truer to the original S30 than anything Nissan has released in several decades. What do you think? What drivetrain would you like to see?

At any rate, we would like the idea of a pure and simple Nissan sports car that is compact, with a powerful engine, lightweight body, and above all, an affordable price tag. Nissan, are you listening?

Datsuns Are Driven!

 

Over 30 years ago OS Giken created the first dual overhead cam (DOHC) 24-valve cylinder head for the Nissan L-series engine: The TC24-B1Z.

 

Z Car Garage in partnership with OS Giken debuted the first North American (LHD) Datsun 240z to run the TC24-B1Z at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, CA last week:
ZCG at SEMA 2015

Today, as promised, we want to share how this mythical cylinder head sounds, looks and drives.
Turn up your speakers and enjoy!

 

 

 

Patrick Chio continues to race in the US Touring Car Championship (USTCC) with the Speed SF/ Z Car Garage Nissan 350z.  The events are televised on Final Drive TV with some great commentary and white-knuckle action!

 

Round 3 was held at Laguna Seca and Patrick started on the pole! Patrick finished 5th and had a DNF, videos below:

 

 

“I qualified pole position in Touring Car class. However, a slow start caused me to fall back to the 7th position. Climbed up to 4th and spun out due to oil on the track at 18:50 mark in the video.”

 

 

Round 6 was held at Sonoma Raceway and Patrick captured a 2nd place finish!!!. It was a very close battle with a very experienced pro driver. We will post the video soon. For now, check out this short recap from USTCC.com

 

“Sheehan, driving the GoGoGear.com / UTI / Konig Wheels Hyundai Genesis Coupe, thought he had the race in the bag after built a five second gap after the first lap but Patrick Chio, driving the Speed SF / Z Car Garage Nissan 350Z started clicking some fast laps and by lap 7 was less than half second behind. Sheehan had to drive as hard as he could to pull out a win. After the race Sheehan said, “I left nothing on the table. That’s all I had.” Finishing in third place was Justin Crickenberger in the Hawk/ Competition Clutch/ Sparta BMW M3.”

 

 

We are very proud of you Patrick!  If you missed it catch Round 1 and 2 results HERE

We will be closed on Tuesday 11/3 and Wed 11/4 to attend the SEMA show in Las Vegas. We will return to normal hours on Thursday. If you are going to SEMA please visit us at the OS Giken booth # 24929 and see the world’s first TC24-BZ1 powered LHD Datsun 240z! The dyno chart will also be posted for you folks wondering what the power output is. Stay tuned, after the show we promise a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes look at the OS Giken/Z Car Garage collaboration. Long Live the (twincam) Z!

 

 

We love the latest version of the Nismo 370z. In fact this is the aesthetic that should have been released from the start! Although the Nismo Z has improved cosmetically the drivetrain still summons the same 350 horses and 276 lb-ft of torque it has offered since the package first appeared in 2009(!).

 

Power junkies need not fear, Z Car Garage is here to help. With only 22k miles on the odometer, Rasheed B came to us with his stunning 2015 Nismo Z finished in Pearl White for a full Vortech supercharger kit.

 

Here are a few pictures of the Stillen Black Series supercharger kit installed:

 

Stillen 25-row oil cooler:

 

How does it perform?

 

Bone stock from the factory, the Z put down 295hp/242tq. The Stillen supercharger added 84hp/58tq to the wheels with the kit-supplied CAN tune:

Rob’s tuning yielded even more power with final numbers of 420hp/320tq, improvements of 125hp/78tq over baseline.

 

This Nismo 370z now has more power to back up those aggressive looks! Enjoy The Ride, Rasheed!