The ‘Z’ nameplate has been one of the most enduring and iconic in the Nissan lineup, stretching all the way back to the time it used to be known as Datsun. Another icon from Nissan’s catalogue is Midnight Purple, one of the most renowned colours out there which has long been synonymous with the GT-R.
Now, the two are being combined to pay tribute to the Z’s legacy with the launch of the Nissan Z Heritage Edition. A mere 10 units will be available in Australia, all finished in the iconic colour.
Midnight Purple first appeared on the Skyline GT-R in the 1990s, quickly becoming one of Nissan’s most sought-after colours. It evolved through several iterations, including the famous Midnight Purple III on the R34 GT-R V-Spec.
The colour-shifting paint that changes depending on lighting conditions was initially considered too out there for production vehicles, but Nissan’s design team felt it suited the GT-R’s character. Clearly, enthusiasts agreed.
Also sporting a set of bronze 19-inch RAYS forged alloy wheels, it still features the same potent 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 engine as the standard Z Coupe, which serves up 298kW and 475Nm.
Other standard equipment includes a mechanical limited-slip differential, launch control, 12.3-inch TFT driver display and 8.0-inch infotainment display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated seats, active noise cancellation and sound enhancement, and a comprehensive suite of modern safety systems.
The Nissan Z Heritage Edition comes in at $77,140 before on-road costs with either a six-speed close-ratio manual gearbox with an Exedy high-performance clutch or a smooth nine-speed automatic. That’s only a $1250 premium over the regular model, although competition will surely be hot to snag one of the 10.
“The Nissan Z Heritage Edition is a celebration of what the Z nameplate means to the people who’ve loved these cars for generations,” said Steve Milette, managing director of Nissan Oceania.
“By bringing Midnight Purple to the Z, we’re honouring the shared performance DNA between two of Nissan’s most celebrated nameplates. And with only 10 available in Australia, this is a rare opportunity for true enthusiasts.”
An enduring legacy like no other
The Z story began in 1969 with the launch of the Datsun 240Z, also known as the Fairlady Z in Japan. Designed as a stylish, affordable six-cylinder sports car that cost a fraction of its European rivals yet still truly challenged them, the 240Z was an instant sensation from its global debut.
A family tree of legends followed. Next up was the 260Z and 280ZX, followed by the V6-powered 300ZX in both Z31 and Z32 forms. Then in 2002, the 350Z revived the nameplate after several years’ absence, before the long-serving 370Z continued to carry the flag from 2009-20.
The most recent iteration, simply badged as the Nissan Z, combines retro-inspired styling that draws upon the 240Z and Z32 300ZX most prominently with a powerful twin-turbo V6 to deliver engaging performance.
Throughout that lineage, Australia has maintained a passionate relationship with the Z. From the earliest right-hand drive 240Z deliveries in 1970 through to the current top-rung Z NISMO’s initial allocation selling out in under an hour when it launched locally in August 2023, the nameplate has always found a dedicated following on local soil.
A community that spans generations
At a recent gathering of the Nissan Datsun Sports Owners Club in Melbourne, nearly every generation of Z came together, from early Datsun 240Zs to later 370Zs, with each car representing a different chapter of the same story. For some of those fans, that story stretches back decades.
For the owner of a fastidiously restored 1972 Datsun 240Z Dave Toleman, the appeal of the Z is “its style, sportiness and legendary reliability. It just has iconic looks and performance”.
Ron Ray, a life member of the club with over 50 years of involvement, has owned everything from early Datsun roadsters through to multiple Z generations, with his current ride being a 370Z that still keeps him connected to the community he’s been part of for half a century.
“My Z is really my connection to the club. I’ve been part of it for over 50 years,” Ron explains. “I’ve had a lot of different models over that time, but the Z has always been the constant.”
For others, the appeal lies in how the Z has evolved while never losing its identity. Mark Todd, who has owned his 280ZX for more than 30 years and now also drives a pristine Z31 300ZX, says the design DNA has always been unmistakable.
“From the 240Z right through, Nissan just got the styling right,” he says. “I’ve always loved long-bonnet sports cars – E-Types, Corvettes – but the Z was something I could actually own and fit into being 6-foot-4. That’s what made it special.”
That accessibility – performance and style within reach – is a theme echoed across generations of owners. Rod Thomson, whose ownership history spans from Datsun roadsters to a 350Z, sees the Z as a car that has always delivered on its sporting promise.
“The Z really shows the sporting side of Nissan,” he says. “The 350Z has plenty of power, handles beautifully on tight, winding roads, and it’s just a joy to drive.”
That legacy is something that has been inherited by newer members of the community, who are now continuing to carry it forward. Jackson Fryer, who recently purchased a 280ZX after owning multiple 300ZXs, says the Z’s enduring appeal comes down to its authenticity.
“Z cars have so much heritage and such a strong fan base,” Jackson explains.
“They’re not overdone – they’re just right. Even the early cars still feel special to drive today.”
And for Andrew Costello, president of the club, that shared passion is what continues to bring owners together.
“It’s one of the most amazing collections of cars,” he says. “The heritage, the history in Australia, the styling – and the courage Nissan had to take on the world with the original Z. That’s what keeps people involved.”
