Datsun 240Z Rally Car Replica Design Preview

No recounting of Nissan racing heritage is complete without noting the success of driver Edgar Herrmann and navigator Hans Schüller, who placed first over the 3,800-mile 1971 East African Safari Rally in the #11 Datsun 240Z race car. It's a milestone for the company that the new, twin-turbo Safari Z Tribute is intended to celebrate.

Notably, the 240Z victory marked the second consecutive win for a Datsun racer, with a Datsun Bluebird 1600SSS scoring the overall win in the grueling off-road contest's 18th year, 1970.

Bringing this racing heritage to life for SEMA attendees, Nissan is showcasing a vintage replica of the rally-winning 240Z, offering a side-by-side look at the through-line of the company's racing and sports car legacies.

On loan from collector Randy Jaffe, the car was restored in 2013 to drivable, period-correct condition. Eagle-eyed fans will recognize the vehicle from the recent Nissan commercial, "60 Years in 30 Seconds," with star Brie Larson piloting numerous heritage Nissan and Datsun vehicles.