The Nissan Z series is a force to be reckoned with, be it on the street, or the tracks. These are beautiful, fast cars that look great and run even better. Earlier known as Datsun, Nissan became Nissan in the 1930s, while the original company was formed in 1911. Despite America and Japan being on opposing ends during WWII, Nissan made a lot of military vehicles for the US Army in the 1953 Korean war.
And yet, Datsun and Nissan entered the American market as late as 1969, for the 1970 model of the Datsun 240Z, the first of the Z-series of Nissan cars. At the time, the Japanese and American models were built to a different specification. This is the reason why JDM cars are so popular in the US. Even if it does take 25 years to legally import them here. On that note, here go 15 awesome pictures of Nissan Z sports cars, modified to utter beauty.
15 Datsun 240Z: "LouZfer"
Known as the Datsun 240Z, this nifty little ride arrived on American shores like a storm in the port. With 150 horsepower in 1970, this was Japan's warning to the US automotive market – beware of our cars. This beautifully modded Datsun 240Z belongs to Atlanta-resident Scott Koehler and is lovingly dubbed "LouZfer."
14 Nissan 350Z: Like A Phoenix From The Ashes
A certain Brian McCann was moving his stuff from Alaska to Arizona when his Nissan 350 Z32 was stolen, stripped of parts and left on its side in the dust. McCann did what he should, he reclaimed the car and built it up from scratch again (with the help of some friends) and turned it into this beautiful, classy creation that we love.
13 Nissan 370Z: Little Red Riding Hood
While we love the stock Nissan 370Z, or the Z34, nothing beats the beauty of this red Kamikaze-Z that has been heavily modded inside out to look like the dream it is. Without getting into all the technical stuff under the hood, take a look at the rear wing. Dramatic and cool, it's a Varis wing, along with various Varis carbon-fiber body parts.
12 Nissan 370ZX: The Race-Ready Z
This one is a modified and race-prepped 2020 Nissan 370Z so built by Z1 motorsport, and supposed to race at the 2020 Global Time Attack Racing Season. To make it race-worthy, a roll cage has been added in, and frankly, we were sold at that overtly massive but awesome rear wing.
11 Nissan 370Z: The Perfect Canvass
We love the orange-blue wheels. But, you can do almost anything to a Nissan Z, and we’d probably still love it. And while we don't quite understand if this is paint or a wrap, we know that some extensive bodywork was done to this car, along with lowering its stance.
10 Nissan 370Z: Rounded And Riveted
A lot more rounded with plenty of rivets and body panels, this Nissan 370Z looks more flowy than menacing. However, considering no one ever messes with a Z-series without having a go under the hood, we're pretty sure this one too has been exploited to its maximum potential, and the gentle, beguiling looks are nothing but a honey trap.
9 Nissan 300ZX: Lightly Modded
The Z31 300ZX may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but was a beautiful model from Datsun/Nissan at the time. This one is a special anniversary edition with plush leather seats and dual-tone paint. Minimally modified, it looks beautiful and clean-cut with enough power under the hood to blow you away.
8 Datsun 240Z: Retro Red Rebel
Owned by Dave Scholz, this red Datsun 240Z has been modified but done so keeping the sanctity of the '70s in mind. While the interiors and the exteriors have been upgraded, they all follow a retro theme, and the car looks all the more beautiful because of it. And FYI, the car’s name is Rebello.
7 Nissan 240Z: A Blue Ride To Beat The Blues
Californian resident Johnny Tran was getting sick of being pulled over for his modified Nissans. So he decided to trick the system by getting a car that was pre-1976 and thus exempt from the authorities bearing down on him and his mods. This is his little blue wonder that he loves to zip around and buck the system in.
6 Datsun 280Z: Beautiful In A Blue Resto-Mod
Built from scratch after being completely ravaged, this beautiful Datsun 280Z resto-mod in deep blue looks very modern while retaining those classic lines. The leaner lines of the original seem to be beefed up in this and we are sure that under the hood lays a powerful engine just raring to have a go at the roads.
5 Nissan 300ZX: A Sleeper? Not Really
So this one may not look like its raring to go with its sleek white paint and blued-out windows, but Andy Turpin’s 1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo is one cool mod. And while it may not look as tripped out as the others on the list, there’s beauty in simplicity, especially when restoring it has been a labor of love.
4 Nissan 350ZX: A Silver Dream
Dan Wierck’s silver Nissan 350ZX may have taken a long time coming, but it is a dream come true. A lot of hard work and aftermarket parts, including body panels and kits have gone into creating this car, with a lot of man-hours were put into it. The results on this are so good, we’d all start vying for a JDM any minute now.
3 1977 Datsun 280Z: Father To Son
Sometimes, a love for Nissans and mods is inherited. In this Datsun 280Z’s case, it was Alex Mira and all that he learned about modding and cars came from his dad. This particular mod 280Z also won the Pasmag Tuner Battlegrounds award, and many more because of all the hard work the father and son duo put into it.
2 Nissan 300ZX: A Dream Come True
An eight-year-old fell in love with a Nissan 300ZX commercial so much that he swore he would have one when he grew up. So when Skyler Slade grew up, he owned not one but two Nissan 300ZX's. He has gently modified them, keeping the outward appearance in theme with the originals but with better stance and blingier wheels.
1 Nissan 350Z: Subtle In White
The power of the Nissan Z series does not lie in its looks, though people do modify them to look like racing beauties. The real power, as the owner of this subtle white Nissan 350Z knows, lies under the hood and behind the steering wheel.