The Original Z Gets a Modern-Day Revival
The Datsun S30 gave us the original 240Z – the car that put Nissan on the map for anyone who loves good looks, real-world speed, and a drive that actually feels alive. With a long hood, short rear, and clean lines, there’s a reason the S30 is still one of the most iconic Japanese sports cars out there.
Nissan is doubling down on that appeal for the 2026 SEMA Show, rolling out a modern take on the classic that keeps the old-school shape but stuffs it full of today’s Nissan Z hardware.
They’re calling it the Datsun S30 Concept, and it’s a team-up with Chris Forsberg – Formula Drift champ, Nissan regular, and Z fanatic. Instead of just bringing an old Z back to life, Forsberg and crew went full restomod: classic vibes on the outside, serious upgrades everywhere else.
Nissan
Nissan Z’s Twin-Turbo V6 Donor
Pop the hood and you’ll find Nissan’s VR30DDTT 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 – the same beast you get in the current Nissan Z. No official power numbers announced, but with the right tweaks, this thing can easily blow past the stock Z’s 400 horses.
Forsberg’s crew didn’t stop there. Garrett PMAX turbos, NISMO cold-air intakes, a NISMO heat exchanger, and a twin-disc clutch all make the cut. The six-speed manual from the Nissan Z is in play, and power heads out back through a NISMO R200 limited-slip diff – just the way we like it.
Fuel delivery is handled by a Radium Engineering 10-gallon fuel cell and fuel cell surge tank, supported by a DeatschWerks 450-liter-per-hour fuel pump. A carbon-fiber NISMO engine cover adds another motorsport-inspired detail to the engine bay.
Chassis upgrades include Techno Toy Tuning’s full suspension arsenal: coilovers, control arms, sway bars, strut tower bars, and fresh steering bits. Wilwood brakes handle stopping duty, with six-piston calipers and big rotors up front, four-pots and chunky discs out back.
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Nissan
Carbon Fiber Meets Classic Z Styling
Outside, the S30’s classic shape is still there, but now it’s rocking carbon-fiber fenders, hood, air dam, bumpers, rear hatch, and spoiler. The Nissan Seiran Blue paint gives it a modern pop, and the NISMO 40th anniversary decals seal the motorsport vibe.
The wheels are equally purposeful. NISMO LM-RS6 forged wheels measure 17 by 9 inches and wear 245/40R17 X-Comp HP tires. Together with the upgraded suspension and brakes, they help distinguish this build from a conventional restoration.
Inside, it’s old-school meets new-school. OMP Silverstone racing seats, custom door cards, and a Grip Royal wheel set the tone. Custom Speed Hut gauges and a Techno Toy Tuning harness bar remind you this Z is ready for more than just Sunday drives. A black aluminum NISMO shift knob tops off the manual setup. The cabin still looks like an S30, just with a lot more intent.
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Coming to SEMA 2026
The Datsun S30 Concept is Nissan’s showstopper for SEMA 2026. It’s a one-off, so don’t expect to see it at your local dealer or get a price tag anytime soon. This is the sort of restomod the Z badge deserves. The S30’s shape is still there, but now it’s packing a twin-turbo V6, a manual, carbon-fiber everything, and serious hardware underneath. Sure, we don’t have a final power number, but with this parts list, it’s clearly more than just a pretty engine swap.
Most importantly, this build proves you can push a classic Japanese sports car into the future without losing what made it cool in the first place.
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About the author
Jacob Oliva
Senior Editor, Autoblog