Janne Uskali, the editor of Finland’s Bomber Journal for customized bike tradition, has a deep ardour for high-powered machines of the four-wheeled selection, too.
With a background in stunt driving and the person behind Finland’s quickest road automotive – a Buick Grand Nationwide that clocked beneath eight seconds on the quarter-mile – Janne is the kind of particular person I’d think about to see behind the wheel of a drag-spec 1979 Datsun 280ZX.
In 2022, as Janne ready for the Sick Week Drag & Drive occasion in Florida, USA – a highway journey for street-legal drag vehicles – he stumbled upon an area itemizing for a tubbed Datsun 280ZX powered by a small-block V8. The vendor was Florida-based Swedish drag racer Adam Flamholc.
Whereas it was confirmed that the automotive had been modified for drag racing earlier than the 12 months 2000, its backstory was largely unknown. It even boasted Alabama license plates studying ‘Z 1979.’ For this mysterious historical past, it earned the nickname ‘Zombie.’
The Datsun wasn’t in nice situation; it wanted vital work on the chassis, physique, and engine. Regardless of this, Janne noticed the potential for a novel street-driven drag automotive. He purchased it and towed it the 1,600 miles to the occasion.
Even in its incomplete type, the Z intrigued lovers, together with Mike Finnegan of Roadkill and Sooner with Finnegan fame, who instantly fell for its uncooked, unfinished allure. Within the spring of 2022, the Datsun was shipped to Finland for its resurrection.
The restoration was in depth, taking up two years to finish. A contemporary coat of white paint was utilized after Janne jumped into the mechanicals, upgrading the suspension, and becoming new tires, gasoline strains, and carburetor. The inside was revamped with inventory components and aftermarket additions like Jaz drag racing seats.
The outside was impressed by Paul Newman’s Bob Sharp Racing Datsun Z, that includes a purple, white, and blue shade scheme and enormous ’33’ race numbers on the doorways. Janne liked this basic American racing model and determined to copy it for his construct.
In distinction to Newman’s basic IMSA racer, Janne’s automotive runs huge 14-inch broad rear wheels. Customized ‘Datsun’ wording wraps across the deep barrels, emphasizing the Z’s aggressive stance.
The automotive’s engine stays a little bit of a thriller. It got here with a Chevy small-block, however its actual displacement is unknown – it might be a 383ci stroker or a 350ci V8.
What’s simple is its menacing sound. An aggressive cam profile provides the engine a definite idle, and customized aspect pipes with NASCAR-style RST increase tubes amplify it.
Delivering round 400hp, the naturally aspirated engine is paired with a 2-speed Powerglide transmission, that includes a transbrake and a 2-step launch system. The rear finish is constructed round a Ford 9-inch diff with 4.88 gears, making certain fast acceleration.
The Datsun rolls on 15×4.5-inch entrance wheels with 195-section tires and large 15×14-inch rear wheels fitted with 16.5-inch-wide street-legal Hoosier slicks.
Weighing in at simply 1,200kg (2,645lbs), the Datsun is each highly effective and lightweight, therefore it’s been geared up with a roll cage licensed down to eight.5-second quarter-mile passes.
Now street-legal in Finland, Janne views the automotive as an virtually accomplished mission. There’s nonetheless work to be completed, like tidying up the engine bay and addressing the cracked dashboard, however they’re simply minor issues.
In its present state, the Zombie Datsun leaves 100-meter-long black stripes on the asphalt with every launch from a visitors mild, drawing consideration from automotive lovers of all ages. Janne says, “Each time you begin it, older of us usually come as much as share their ‘Datsun story’ from the previous.”
For now, the 280ZX stays a part of Janne’s assortment, although he hints it’d discover a new house as soon as absolutely completed. Till then, the Zombie Datsun continues to roam the streets and racetracks of Finland, turning heads with its distinctive look, sound, and efficiency.
Vladimir Ljadov
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