The Fairlady, Evolved
MZR’s specialty is the Datsun Fairlady Z, a.k.a. the 240Z. Fairlady fans will know that they’re one of the best guys to go to for a complete restomod of the historic sports car. Based in Bradford, in the U.K., MZR’s projects all have levels to them. Ranging from the simple to the whole banana, they’ve done some amazing work over the years.
However, this might be the best one yet. The work that’s gone into this 240Z can be considered to be the ultimate spec from MZR, and perhaps the ultimate spec for you. If you’re a purist at heart, however, this is probably not the car for you, kinda.
A Body of Work
This is the MZR Datsun 240Z Evolution listed on Piston Heads, and the “Evolution” tacked on at the end isn’t just a cool-sounding name. For MZR, any car marked with “Evolution” signals that a crazy amount of work and detail has been put into the vehicle. In this case, carbon fiber bodywork, a Nissan RB30 that’s been bored out to 3.4 liters, and an interior that can put OEMs to shame.
The engine makes 360 horsepower, and all of that comes from natural aspiration via individual throttle bodies, so you can expect the sound from this car to be orchestral. It may not be an L-series motor, but there’s something about RB swaps in 240Zs that make sense, especially when it is done up to this level. MZR was able to stay true to the 240Z’s formula by going with this setup.
The devil’s in the details on the inside as well. MZR’s done an exceptional job preserving the details while dialing up the sex factor. One detail includes the roll-up windows; another is the leather-wrapped-everything all over, including the custom bucket seats. All of this is wrapped in light tan leather, which is a complement to the Space Silver-colored exterior.
There is one oddity, though: aside from some of the other modern touches, maybe MZR could have done a little bit of custom CNC machining or 3D printing for the AC controls. The rest of the car is immaculate, but the modern panel sticks out quite a bit.
The interior is an amazing complement to the subtle and classy exterior.
Three Years of Work, for About $231,800
Just thinking about the amount of labor and parts needed to undertake a project like this, not to mention sourcing a clean and workable base, is already enough to make my head spin. Without a shadow of doubt, MZR knows what they’re doing, and right now this Z will change hands for £170,000. Converted to dollars, that’s about $231,800, not even factoring in the destination costs.
Non-car guys might not be able to stomach the asking price, but if you’ve reached this far into the article, I’d like to think you know what’s up. Vintage Zs aren’t getting any younger, and the time and know-how of the craftsmen behind builds like this cannot be understated or underpriced. Think about other garages that specialize in these bespoke restoration mods, like Singer, Alfaholics, or Guntherwerks; these guys go inside and out, outside and in, checking every cranny and nook, and touching everything that needs to be touched.
What I really like about this car is the fact that it stays true to the Z’s formula, and that it’s a recreation of a classic with modern materials and know-how. The details are subtle, and the build is cohesive. What $231,800 gets you is three years of work, a car that’s getting rarer by the day, quality materials, a one-of-fifteen in the world, and a beautifully set-up engine, and only 2,009 miles after everything was put together. If anything, you’re essentially getting an almost brand-new car here, with the break-in process already completed.
