Janne Uskali, the editor of Finland’s Bomber Magazine for custom motorcycle culture, has a deep passion for high-powered machines of the four-wheeled variety, too.
With a background in stunt riding and the man behind Finland’s fastest street car – a Buick Grand National that clocked under eight seconds on the quarter-mile – Janne is the sort of person I’d imagine to see behind the wheel of a drag-spec 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 stumbled upon a local listing for a tubbed Datsun 280ZX powered by a small-block V8. The seller was Florida-based Swedish drag racer Adam Flamholc.
While it was confirmed that the car had been modified for drag racing before the year 2000, its backstory was largely unknown. It even boasted Alabama license plates reading ‘Z 1979.’ For this mysterious history, it earned the nickname ‘Zombie.’
The Datsun wasn’t in great condition; it needed significant work on the chassis, body, and engine. Despite this, 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 its raw, unfinished charm. In the spring of 2022, the Datsun was shipped to Finland for its resurrection.
The restoration was extensive, taking over two years to complete. A fresh coat of white paint was applied after Janne jumped into the mechanicals, upgrading the suspension, and fitting new tires, fuel lines, and carburetor. The interior was revamped with stock parts and aftermarket additions like Jaz drag racing seats.
The exterior was inspired by Paul Newman’s Bob Sharp Racing Datsun Z, featuring a red, white, and blue color scheme and large ’33’ race numbers on the doors. Janne loved this classic American racing style and decided to replicate it for his build.
In contrast to Newman’s classic IMSA racer, Janne’s car runs massive 14-inch wide rear wheels. Custom ‘Datsun’ wording 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 its exact displacement is unknown – it could be a 383ci stroker or a 350ci V8.
What’s undeniable is its menacing sound. An aggressive cam profile gives the engine a distinct idle, and custom side pipes with NASCAR-style RST boom tubes amplify it.
Delivering around 400hp, the naturally aspirated engine is paired with a 2-speed Powerglide transmission, featuring a transbrake and a 2-step launch system. The rear end is built around a Ford 9-inch diff with 4.88 gears, ensuring rapid acceleration.
The Datsun rolls on 15×4.5-inch front wheels with 195-section tires and enormous 15×14-inch rear wheels fitted with 16.5-inch-wide street-legal Hoosier slicks.
Weighing in at just 1,200kg (2,645lbs), the Datsun is both powerful and light, hence it’s been equipped with a roll cage certified down to 8.5-second quarter-mile passes.
Now street-legal in Finland, Janne views the car as an almost completed project. There’s still work to be done, like tidying up the engine bay and addressing the cracked dashboard, but they are just minor things.
In its current state, the Zombie Datsun leaves 100-meter-long black stripes on the asphalt with each launch from a traffic light, drawing attention from car lovers of all ages. Janne says, “Every time you start it, older folks often come up to share their ‘Datsun story’ from the past.”
For now, the 280ZX remains part of Janne’s collection, though he hints it might find a new home once fully finished. Until then, the Zombie Datsun continues to roam the streets and racetracks of Finland, turning heads with its distinctive appearance, sound, and performance.
Vladimir Ljadov
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