Nissan Z Kaze T-Top Concept unveiled

[Exquisite_Red]

"Nissan has unveiled the Z Kaze Concept, a passion project that celebrates the spirit of the iconic Z while paying homage to the tuner culture of the 1990s. Named after the Japanese word for "wind," the concept reimagines the modern Z with a custom T-top roof designed to bring back the thrill of open-air driving."

"While not intended for production, the Z Kaze showcases the creativity, innovation and passion that continue to shape Nissan's performance legacy."

 

[FSUZ33]

Rarely drive with the windows down, so never really interested in anything with an open or partially open top. Open top cars are stiffer than they used to be, but still leave a lot to be desired if you're really pushing it...not that most people are pushing it. I realize this opinion is most likely terribly unpopular, but when I think of open top cars I think of Jim J Bullock in the '80s in a red convertible 3 series flaming flying down the highway with Cher on blast.

 

[Exquisite_Red]

Rarely drive with the windows down, so never really interested in anything with an open or partially open top. Open top cars are stiffer than they used to be, but still leave a lot to be desired if you're really pushing it...not that most people are pushing it. I realize this opinion is most likely terribly unpopular, but when I think of open top cars I think of Jim J Bullock in the '80s in a red convertible 3 series flaming flying down the highway with Cher on blast.

I was anti-vert for the longest time. I thought it was the "unserious" option and scoffed at people driving around with the top down. Then I had an S2000 and I've been chasing that feeling for the last 15 years. I love my car, but the one thing that would get me to trade up in an instant would be a t-top or vert Z, chassis rigidity be damned!

 

[takemorepills]

I had T-Top Zs in the past.

One memory that was just jogged, how easy it is to get in and out of the car when the T-Tops are removed.

 

[Bumflik]

I like it for those drivers who want it. Looks cool.

 

[SleepyD7]

I was anti-vert for the longest time. I thought it was the "unserious" option and scoffed at people driving around with the top down. Then I had an S2000 and I've been chasing that feeling for the last 15 years. I love my car, but the one thing that would get me to trade up in an instant would be a t-top or vert Z, chassis rigidity be damned!

If the car was built from the ground up to be a convertible (S2000, MX5, Boxster) then I'd agree an open top car can be a "serious" option. In my experience all chop tops deploy extra bracing to compensate but ultimately fail to handle like their hard top brethren. Cool idea, love the look.

 

[wooferocau]

"Nissan has unveiled the Z Kaze Concept, a passion project that celebrates the spirit of the iconic Z while paying homage to the tuner culture of the 1990s. Named after the Japanese word for "wind," the concept reimagines the modern Z with a custom T-top roof designed to bring back the thrill of open-air driving."

"While not intended for production, the Z Kaze showcases the creativity, innovation and passion that continue to shape Nissan's performance legacy."

Looks awesome !!

 

[tractng]

In college, I had a really used 1988 300zx. Remember I placed the t-tops under my bed for the entire summer. At that age, didn't worry about rain, storm in Calif. Fun times.

 

[FSUZ33]

I was anti-vert for the longest time. I thought it was the "unserious" option and scoffed at people driving around with the top down. Then I had an S2000 and I've been chasing that feeling for the last 15 years. I love my car, but the one thing that would get me to trade up in an instant would be a t-top or vert Z, chassis rigidity be damned!

I had an ‘05 roadster from like 2016 to last year when I traded it in for the Z. My ‘03 Track got totaled, I needed to make a quick decision, and it was convenient (a family member’s, and babied). I may have dropped that top a max of 15 times, and it was automatic, just unlatch and hold a button.
Just not my bag.
Then, because the thing was 20 years old I had to completely replace the vinyl before I traded it. Never done that before, but paid a little more for a sort of known brand hoping that would eliminate a lot of the bs.

it took about 8-9 hours total and a couple of days in the sun for the material to stretch and the back window part (tonneau?) to reliably seal to the deck.

I was proud of myself. Still am. It was a legit quality install with no corners cut.
But
…N~E~V~E~R…
…A~G~A~I~N…

 

[Who.Am.Eye.2716]

Not bad for a custom fab.

Sometimes I wish I had a sunroof. Brings in cooler air circulation without the wind gushing into your ear. Compared to when the window is cracked or wide open.

AC is great on those hot summer days, but for the cooler days, AC is overrated.

Gotta add this to my "want, but not needed" parts list

 

[GCZ]

I'd trade mine in for one of these on day 1.

I've owned a t-top 300zx, a couple of CRX's (Del Sol for the Seppos) and multiple convertibles (S2000, 3x MX-5s, 350z roadster). Helps that the weather where I live is super conducive to open top driving.

 

[Exquisite_Red]

I had an ‘05 roadster from like 2016 to last year when I traded it in for the Z. My ‘03 Track got totaled, I needed to make a quick decision, and it was convenient (a family member’s, and babied). I may have dropped that top a max of 15 times, and it was automatic, just unlatch and hold a button.
Just not my bag.
Then, because the thing was 20 years old I had to completely replace the vinyl before I traded it. Never done that before, but paid a little more for a sort of known brand hoping that would eliminate a lot of the bs.

it took about 8-9 hours total and a couple of days in the sun for the material to stretch and the back window part (tonneau?) to reliably seal to the deck.

I was proud of myself. Still am. It was a legit quality install with no corners cut.
But
…N~E~V~E~R…
…A~G~A~I~N…

I’ve heard soft top horror stories. Definitely not worth it if it’s not your thing. Me, if it was >40F and not raining, the top on my S was down. I loved it so much. If Nissan doesn’t do a vert Z, I will probably get a 350Z roadster as my daily when the Z is paid off. Everyone hates the roadsters, so hopefully I can find a good deal, lol.

 

[loki2191]

it’s here at ZCON,

 

[MattJ2020]

I know a Japanese tuner and Nissan rep who attended the event, he works closely with NISMO to add; he wasn’t impressed with the quality of this build, although it was only a concept. So… there would have to be a lot more r&d in something like this if it were to be really built in numbers or privately made.

 

[Dickie B]

I think if they were to built it, it would sell like crazy. T-top is the only way I’d trade in my MNP Heritage.