The Fairlady Z is the third Nissan in this set and the best one at that in my opinion. The stellar 240Z in markets outside of Japan, it also pranced around under the Datsun brand. The original 240Z was sold from 1969 with the Japanese version strutting a 2.0L SOHC L20A straight-six making about 130 HP. The US 240Z on the other hand got a 2.4L L24 Inline-six making 151 HP. I have no idea why this is, but that was just how they started. The Fairlady Z was a beautiful car. And in my opinion, this S30 was the best looking of the bunch even beside the current generation 370Z. It was a Jaguar E-type wearing a Japanese Kimono. The long bonnet and fastback profile made it look fast and elegant. And while the Skylines became Nissan’s halo cars, the Fairlady was sitting alongside the Sylvias. Great cars, but a gear behind the GT-Rs.
The 350Z in the franchise of the movie was from Tokyo Drift. The grey 350Z with a half tattoo livery looked pretty menacing. And while the bulging lines of the 350Z lent a graceful demeanor to the otherwise villainous role of the car, it’s iteration on a 240Z looks even more evil. The Fairlady Z casting used by Hot Wheels is the design by Jun Imai from 2016. It features an aero kit with the G-nose, a rear spoiler, wide body fenders, and comes in right-hand drive. The livery on this casting makes it look like a Yakuza. It rides on dark grey C4SPRR Real Rider wheels which complements the base grey color of the car nicely. When you see this iteration of the car, you immediately know that this is the anti-hero car. And it does a great job being bad.
The Fairlady Z has a soft spot in my heart in the same way as the Corolla AE86. While the AE86 had imprinted itself on me because of its role as a drift machine in the anime/manga of Initial D, the Fairlady Z has its role as a top speed machine from Wangan Midnight. Wangan Midnight is of course, another manga/anime with its story revolving around cars. This time around, the premise is building the fastest street car to drive in the Wangan. Japan’s notorious public expressway loop.
To answer the question then, yes, this car is worth keeping and be on display as part of a collection. Whether you buy it because you like The Fast and The Furious, or you buy it because of your love for JDM cars, it is a car that will look great on your wall.
Toy Box Garage 