Way back when in the time Independence Day was the top movie in the box office and the Macarena was permanently burned into our memories, I was perfecting my skills in driving a manual transmission. I first learned when I was 14 on a 1984 Maserati Biturbo that my father had at the time. I fumbled and bumbled.
With the next offering, a 1987 Honda Civic and with its forgiving clutch and robust transmission, I finally got it down. However, it wasn’t until I first drove my friends 1981 Datsun 280ZX that I felt I actually knew what I was doing and enjoyed what fun a rear wheel drive manual transmission car could be like.
While the 280ZX was not particularly loved in the Z car lineage, 16 year old me enjoyed every minute of it and we had our adventures running around Dallas, Texas. It’s safe to say I have a soft spot in my heart for any old Nissan/Datsun offerings.
That makes this particular find rather special to me.

With a quite interesting Mitsubishi Z6M Zero inspired paint job, Watanabe R-Type inspired wheels, fender mounted mirrors and lovely tack on fender flares it’s hard to find any flaw with this Z Car. Some may hate the paint and I get it, but I also find beauty in how this example has been executed. Reinvigorating my love for old Japanese iron this car really moved me today.

Fun Fact: My friend still has his 280ZX and a newly acquired NC Miata to join his stable.

[ Images Copyright 2015 Hooniverse/Jason Connor]