Nissan’s new Z is finally getting the throwback treatment fans crave

The new Nissan Z owes its striking design to a plethora of classic-inspired details. It’s a car that pulls from multiple moments in its lineage to capture a Fairlady look that’s distinctly neo-retro.

Not content to stop there, Nissan also reinforces these historic ties more overtly through the Heritage Edition. Be it in color options or accessories, it goes even heavier on nostalgia.

Nissan’s Heritage Edition outfits the Z with exclusive hues and other inspired details.

All the same, there’s a new variant coming that promises to be still more faithful to the Z cars of yesteryear. It’s bringing a treatment that’s so old-school, not even Nissan will build it nowadays.

The open-air Z enthusiasts want

I’m talking about a custom Z project recently surfaced by Carscoops. Creator Nick Scherr (NISMO Nick) has announced he will be turning a standard RZ34 Z into a rad T-top like the one mocked up below.

While the open-air configuration was an option available on everything from the 280ZX to the second-gen 300ZX, Nissan hasn’t offered it in the United States since 1996. As such, Scherr’s build is set to be a true throwback, and it’ll make the Z an even more faithful historical tribute.

And an authentic T-top experience, by the sound of things. As NISMO Nick told Carscoops, “Some of the engineering challenges I am facing involve ensuring watertight sealing throughout the vehicle.” He added, “the only other concern I foresee is wind noise.” 

T-tops were once a fixture of Nissan’s sports car offerings.

Of course, those realities aren’t limited to Scherr’s conversion project. Even when they were mainstream items (and built by major OEMS), T-tops were notorious for leaking and rattling. 

All the same, enthusiasts have been pining for a Z with this kind of treatment since the RZ34 first took shape as the Proto. However, even with the demand, Nissan has only ever entertained the possibility of adding a convertible due to claimed engineering and safety constraints.

Given the design similarities to cars like the Z32, it would make for a natural look.

An ambitious Nissan builder

Beyond capitalizing on an unrealized Z prospect, Scherr’s build is bound to bring an impressive level of execution. If you’re already familiar with NISMO Nick from past efforts, you know that he’s not the type to cut corners.

Before this project, the creator whipped up an awesome home-brewed Xterra revival dubbed ‘Project X.’ Though technically based on Nissan’s second-generation SUV, little of the vehicle’s stock components remained.

Instead, Scherr’s overhaul left the Xterra equipped with Frontier bodywork, a VK56 V8 powertrain and some Titan truck suspension. When outfitted with a six-speed manual and a set of NISMO beadlock wheels (and painted a searing neon), it made for a vibrant reinterpretation of the beloved Nissan 4×4.

NISMO Nick beat Nissan to the punch with his home-brewed Xterra revival. Will the same happen with a Z T-top?

Besides, the Z T-top isn’t even the most ambitious of the projects that he has planned. As part of what Scherr is calling his ‘Open Air Collection,’ he will also be building a reimagined version of Nissan’s maligned Murano CrossCabriolet, along with a convertible Nissan Juke. 

More to come

At this stage, NISMO Nick has yet to announce details beyond a 2027 arrival. If last year’s build is anything to go by, SEMA seems like a likely debut venue. However, only time will tell.

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