Keiichi Tsuchiya's S30 Datsun 240Z

Keiichi Tsuchiya is best known for his AE86 drifting, but his personal collection has included a Datsun 240Z (S30) for years. The S30 — also sold as the Nissan Fairlady Z in Japan — was Tsuchiya's connection to early Japanese performance car heritage. His specific 240Z became a reference vehicle for restoration and modification quality, appearing in Japanese magazines and at vintage car events throughout Tsuchiya's career.

The S30 Significance

The Datsun 240Z was Japan's first internationally successful sports car. Launched in 1969 in Japan and 1970 in the US, the 240Z combined Italian-influenced styling, a powerful inline-six engine, and competitive pricing to become an instant hit. The car established Datsun (later Nissan) as a legitimate sports car manufacturer outside Japan.

For Japanese drivers like Tsuchiya, the 240Z was the foundational performance car of their generation — the car that proved Japan could build something genuinely desirable.

Tsuchiya's Personal 240Z

Tsuchiya's S30 has been documented in Japanese magazines and at car events:

• Original color and condition: Maintained close to factory original
• Engine: L24 inline-six (or L28 swap, common modification)
• Suspension: Modest performance upgrades
• Wheels: Period-correct or vintage racing-style
• Interior: Restored original trim

The car represents Tsuchiya's appreciation for Japan's early sports car heritage rather than the modern tuning aesthetic.

Cultural Significance

When Tsuchiya appears at vintage car events with his S30, it's a reminder that the Drift King's interests extend beyond drifting. His S30 ownership documents an appreciation for early Japanese sports car heritage and connects modern JDM enthusiasm to the original 240Z era.

Legacy

Tsuchiya's S30 Datsun 240Z is a small but significant piece of the broader Tsuchiya cultural legacy. It shows that even Japan's most famous drift driver appreciates the foundational sports cars of his country's automotive history. For Datsun 240Z enthusiasts, his ownership is a notable endorsement of the platform's continued relevance.