Hold it easy, make it nimble. It’s not fairly as intelligent as Colin Chapman’s “Simplify, then add lightness” ethos, however be at liberty to make it right into a bumper sticker if you happen to like.
Over many a long time, Saitama-based kyusha specialists Mizukami Auto have been perfecting their very own light-weight recipe, and the fruits of their labour have been distilled into this bare-bones, time attack-spec S30 Nissan Fairlady ZG.
Once I visited Mizukami Auto final month, Hakosuka Skylines and Porsche 911s had been a standard sight within the out of doors storage yard, however there have been no scarcity of Z coupes across the place, all ready to supply up their our bodies to any venture in want. Contained in the store, it grew to become clear that the S30 is their favorite.
Mizukami-san instructed me this all began out as a passion, and again within the day he constructed Z-cars for the zeroyon (quarter mile). The passion quickly blossomed right into a vocation, and Mizukami Auto was set as much as purchase, construct and promote all kinds of automobiles, which enabled its camera-shy proprietor to work on his personal tasks on the facet.
With its staunch rear finish and lengthy aerodynamic ‘g-nose’, in some methods the Fairlady ZG was the proper Japanese drag automobile base in its time. Actually, if you happen to head alongside to any Japanese drag racing occasion in the present day, there’s a great probability you’ll nonetheless see a bunch of outdated Z-cars hitting the strip.
However occasions change, and whereas Mizukami Auto’s demo Z continues to be all about straight-line velocity, as of late it’s about velocity by means of corners too.
I maintain listening to the phrase ‘easy is finest’ on social media and in prepare conversations round Tokyo. It’s a tad pretentious however It rings true right here in plenty of methods. The simplest manner to enhance a 50-year-old automobile’s power-to-weight ratio is to place it on a food plan. Much less mass equals extra quick. Easy.
Inside, the S30 has been gutted, bar the dashboard, which is sensible as a result of it’s a factor of magnificence in authentic type.
A roll cage that extends all the way in which from the rear suspension towers to the entrance suspension towers plus intensive spot-welding all through the shell retains issues inflexible and secure, whereas carbon fibre door playing cards maintain issues civilised. Mizukami-san has additionally fitted a Bride seat with TAKATA Racing harness, a Nardi Basic steering, and varied gauges and meters from HKS, AEM, Stack and AccuTech
Underneath-hood, Mizukami Auto might have gone loopy with turbocharging, however that may have added weight and over-complicated issues. As a substitute, Mizukami-san has constructed one of the best model of the unique L-series, now bored as much as 3.1L.
Extra power-making upgrades embrace three Weber 55DCOE facet draft carburettors, a customized pie lower 6-to-1 header and exhaust, and MSD ignition merchandise to provide 375hp and 39nm of torque on the crank.
The gas cell and surge tank within the rear guarantee uninterrupted supply of dinosaur juice by means of onerous cornering.
The suspension is by Spirit, and there’s a brake bias adjuster subsequent to the motive force that permits break up management between the 4-pot AP Racing entrance callipers and the 2-pot HiSpec models on the rear.
Exterior, the 240ZG advantages from entrance and rear overfenders, with customized Mizukami Auto canards offering smoother airflow over the entrance and rear wheels. The rear of the Z is already fairly smooth, however the ducktail spoiler provides slightly extra stability.
The wheel and tyre combo is traditional JDM – RAYS Volk Racing TE37Vs shod in Yokohama Advan A050 semi-slicks.
And that, my mates, is all there may be. A easy machine from a lot easier occasions, up to date and refined for the trendy period. It’s an attractive factor certainly.
I’ll depart you with a clip of Mizukami-san driving his Z round Tsukuba’s TC2000 course again in 2011.
Toby Thyer
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