Cheers to 40 years, NISMO! The year 2024 signifies four decades since the establishment of Nissan Motorsport, a branch renowned for its high-performance vehicles designed for prestigious tracks across the globe. This year’s event showcased everything from endurance racing and rally cars to GT racers, formula cars, and hillclimbing vehicles.

Nissan explored its extensive museums and archives to present a collection of historic cars, which delighted fans. An impressive array of customer-owned vehicles filled the parking areas at Fuji Speedway, ranging from the classic Hakosuka—one of the earliest GT-R models from the late 1960s and early ’70s—to the newest Fairlady Z and Nissan GT-R.

Custom tuners also made their presence known, with standout brands such as Top Secret and Mine’s unveiling elaborately modified vehicles that set the standard for enthusiasts with both passion and deep pockets. The event was nothing short of spectacular. Here are ten highlights from the day’s events, along with additional vehicles featured in the photo gallery.

1985 Fairlady Z 300ZX

While Nissan may not be widely recognized for its rally participation—focusing primarily on asphalt motorsports—it showcased two rally vehicles from its heritage collection. The first is this 1985 Fairlady Z 300ZX, which competed in the Japanese Rally Championship that year. Sporting the classic Nissan racing number 23 (representing “ni” for two and “san” for three in Japanese) and the distinctive early NISMO logo, this car clinched the Japanese championship title.

1991 Pulsar GTI-R WRC

Nissan’s other rally vehicle on display was designed for an even larger platform. This Pulsar GTI-R made its debut at the 1991 Safari Rally, where it competed against renowned WRC vehicles like the Toyota Celica GT-Four and Lancia Delta Integrale. Despite its appearance in several seasons, it unfortunately had no serious chance of winning. Previously campaigned by Stig Blomqvist, the car remained in storage for many years before a dedicated group of Nissan volunteers rescued it and initiated an extensive restoration. Though it may look somewhat tall and awkward alongside modern prototypes and GT racers, the rally lights mounted on the front and those floppy urethane mudflaps certainly made any rally enthusiast appreciate the efforts of those volunteers.

1998 Pikes Peak R33 Skyline GT-R 400R

Another race car showcased was this 1998 GT-R, which was driven by Akira Kameyama during the open division of the 1998 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. At that time, Pikes Peak was largely unpaved, offering a strikingly different experience compared to the current configuration. There’s even a remarkable video capturing Kameyama-san skillfully maneuvering the car to the summit. Each of the approximately 40 existing R33 road cars is valued at millions, with the 400R being an exceptionally rare and special version.

1989 Calsonic Skyline GT-R Group A

Among the many legendary Skyline GT-Rs showcased, the 1989 Calsonic-sponsored model generated some of the highest excitement. Any enthusiast of the early Gran Turismo fans are likely well-acquainted with the impressive history of this vehicle, which has played a significant role in the series. The R32 GT-R was a powerhouse in the Group A category of the All Japan Championship for an impressive stretch, clinching victories in every race from 1989 to 1993. Specifically, this car won the championship titles in both 1990 and 1993.

1999 Pennzoil Skyline GT-R

Featuring another iconic livery, this 1999 R34 was driven by Erik Comas. While this GT-R is known for its all-wheel-drive configuration, this particular model was altered to function as a rear-drive vehicle to meet Japan GT Championship regulations. The number one on the fender signifies its success — this car won the championship for two consecutive years.

2024 Z NISMO GT500

Nissan remains actively involved in Japan’s premier GT racing series, Super GT. This 2024 Z model competes in the GT500 category and boasts exceptionally prominent fenders. Its power comes from a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder NR4S24 engine, delivering over 550 horsepower while weighing just 2,250 pounds.

2018 Leaf NISMO RC

Did you know that Nissan created a race car version of the Leaf? In fact, they produced several models. This specific example is from the second generation, introduced in 2018. Generating 322 hp from two motors combined with 472 lb-ft of torque and a weight of just 2,700 pounds, this sakura-painted Leaf NISMO RC appeared strikingly fast on the track, easily keeping pace with noisier competitors.

1988 R88C Le Mans Prototype

Nissan has a storied legacy with custom-built prototypes at Le Mans, achieving mixed results, with no overall victories to date. Although this 1988 model, the R88C, was visually stunning, it wasn’t one of Nissan’s more triumphant entries. Another R88C managed to finish in 14th place overall, while this particular vehicle did not complete the race. It performed somewhat better in the All Japan Sports Prototype Championship, achieving a third-place finish.

1992 Skyline GT-R R32

At Nismofest, it wasn’t just the race cars that captured my attention. This R32 belongs to Toshihita Abe, who bought it new in 1992. He shared with me that he previously had a Sylvia, but after seeing a GT-R zoom past him on a rainy day, he decided to upgrade to something with greater traction. Since then, his car has gone through many enhancements, including the addition of HKS GT2530 turbos. Now, it produces over 500 horsepower and revs up to 8,000 rpm.

2002 Skyline GT-R R34 M-Spec Nür

The owner of this R34 was nowhere to be found, but it was impossible not to admire this beautiful car. The R34 is arguably the most sought-after of the Skyline GT-Rs today, and the M-Spec Nür is one of the most coveted variations of it. Nissan

Fewer than 300 of these cars were made, all equipped with enhanced suspensions and an upgraded variant of the legendary 2.6-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine. This specific model has been further modified by the tuning company Mine’s. Additionally, it features a Veruza body kit that adds a distinctive touch to its original pearl white paint.