Janne Uskalithe editor of the Finnish BUmber Magazine for custom motorcycle culture, also has a deep passion for powerful machines of the four-wheel variety.
With a background in stunt driving and the man behind Finland’s fastest road car – a Buick Grand National that clocked under eight seconds in the quarter mile – Janne is the kind of person I would imagine seeing behind the wheel of a 1979 Datsun 280ZX.
In 2022, as Janne prepared for the Sick Week Drag & Drive event in Florida, USA – a road trip for street-legal drag cars – he came across a local listing for a faired Datsun 280ZX powered by a small-block V8. The seller was Florida-based Swedish drag racer Adam Flamholc.
Although it was confirmed that the car had been modified for drag racing before the year 2000, the backstory was largely unknown. There was even an Alabama license plate that said “Z 1979.” It was given the nickname for this mysterious history ‘Zombie.’
The Datsun was not in good condition; significant work was required on the chassis, body and engine. Nevertheless, Janne saw the potential for a unique street-driven drag car. He bought it and towed it the 1,600 miles to the event.
Even in its incomplete form, the Z intrigued enthusiasts, including Mike Finnegan of Roadkill And Faster with Finnegan fame, who immediately fell for his raw, unfinished charm. In the spring of 2022, the Datsun was shipped to Finland for its resurrection.
The restoration was extensive and took more than two years. A fresh coat of white paint was applied after Janne jumped into the mechanics, upgraded the suspension and installed new tires, fuel lines and carburetor. The interior was updated with stock parts and aftermarket additions such as Jaz drag racing seats.
The exterior is inspired by Paul Newman’s Bob Sharp Racing Datsun Z, with a red, white and blue color scheme and large ’33’ racing numbers on the doors. Janne loved this classic American racing style and decided to copy it for his build.
Unlike Newman’s classic IMSA racer, Janne’s car has huge 14-inch wide rear wheels. Custom ‘Datsun’ text wraps around the deep barrels, emphasizing the Z’s aggressive stance.
The car’s engine remains a bit of a mystery. It came with a Chevy small block, but the exact displacement is unknown: it could have been a 383ci stroker or a 350ci V8.
What is unmistakable is the menacing sound. An aggressive cam profile gives the engine a clear idle, and custom side pipes with NASCAR-style RST boom tubes enhance this.
The naturally aspirated engine produces approximately 400 hp and is mated to a 2-speed Powerglide transmission with a trans brake and a 2-stage starter system. The rear end is built around a Ford 9-inch differential with 4.88 gears, ensuring quick acceleration.
The Datsun rolls on 15×4.5-inch front wheels with 195-section tires and huge 15×14-inch rear wheels fitted with 16.5-inch-wide street-legal Hoosier slicks.
Weighing just 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs), the Datsun is both powerful and light, which is why it comes equipped with a roll cage certified to quarter-mile passages of 8.5 seconds.
Now street legal in Finland, Janne considers the car a nearly completed project. There’s still work to be done, like cleaning up the engine bay and addressing the cracked dashboard, but those are just minor things.
In its current state, the Zombie Datsun leaves 100-meter-long black streaks on the asphalt with every launch from a traffic light, attracting the attention of car enthusiasts of all ages. Janne says, “Every time you get into it, older people often come forward to share their ‘Datsun story’ from the past.”
For now, the 280ZX remains part of Janne’s collection, although he hints that it may find a new home once it’s completely finished. Until then, the ZombieThe Datsun continues to roam the streets and racetracks of Finland, turning heads with its distinctive look, sound and performance.
Vladimir Lyadov
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