--- title: "Nissan Built a Safari Rally Z Tribute for SEMA and, Unfortunately, Just SEMA" description: "Nissan is bringing a Safari Rally Z Tribute car to SEMA, which pays tribute to the East African Safari Rally-winning Datsun 240Z." date: "2023-10-30" modified: "2023-10-30" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/nissan-built-a-safari-rally-z-tribute-for-sema-and-unfortunately-just-sema" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Nissan News" tags: - "Coupe" - "Nissan" - "sports car" - "z" --- # Nissan Built a Safari Rally Z Tribute for SEMA and, Unfortunately, Just SEMA ![]() *\Nissan\* In 1971, a [Datsun 240Z]() rally car won the East African Safari Rally and looked kick-ass doing it. To honor that beautiful desert runner, Nissan is bringing a Safari Rally Z Tribute car to SEMA, which will run from October 31 through November 3. As someone who's fully a member of the "Rally All the Cars" camp, I fully support this build and pray [Nissan]() does something unthinkable and puts it into production. This Nissan Rally Z Tribute is the work of Tommy Pike and his South Carolina-based team at Tommy Pike Customs, who built it for Nissan to display at SEMA, alongside the [rest of the brand's concepts](). However, it isn't just an auto show stage car; this off-roading Z has the mechanical upgrades to handle some real-deal Safari driving. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Its ride height is raised two inches thanks to a custom KW Safari suspension and Nismo parts. That higher ride height allows it to fit 17x7.5-inch Nismo Safari prototype wheels and Yokohama Geolandar M/T G003 tires. A front bumper guard and skid plate protect some of its belly, rally lights mounted to its hood and front bumper provide nighttime desert illumination, and custom Recaro Pole Position seats—with four-point harnesses—keep its passengers safe and snug. It's unclear if Nissan will use this Safari Rally Z Tribute for anything other than auto show eye candy but, if it does, it seems like it can handle much more. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 gets a cold-air intake, a cat-back exhaust, and a twin-disc clutch and flywheel for its manual transmission. Nissan claims it makes more than the stock Z's 400 horsepower, but doesn't say exactly how much. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Tommy Pike Customs did a great job making the new Z look just like the '71 rally winner, with an almost identical paint job and sponsorship livery. Obviously, it's almost impossible to beat the looks of the original 240Z, as it was such a perfectly designed car from the beginning, but Tommy Pike and Nissan should be applauded for bringing the world a fitting tribute. One of the original sponsors for the 1971 240Z rally car was Seiko. To celebrate that partnership, Seiko and Nissan partnered up again to make the limited-edition [Seiko Safari Z watch](), which will debut alongside the Safari Z Tribute at SEMA. The watch is made to look like the original sponsorship graphics, has a black/red/blue NATO strap, uses a caliber 6N52 quartz movement, and will be limited to just 240 units. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() I know Nissan will never actually produce this Safari Z, as it's having a hard enough time selling [regular Zs](). However, with both [Porsche]() and [Lamborghini]() building rally versions of their own sports cars, we all know what Nissan's next move *should* be. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()