UPDATE: 2026/09/25 14:45 EST BY SEAN MCMANUS The Last T-Tops In America, And Why They Went AwayWe added a section to discuss the 2002 Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird, plus some concerns that brought the ultimate downfall of T-tops to begin with.Tuning culture, especially in the JDM scene, was a big deal back in the '90s, and then things really exploded after 2001's The Fast And The Furious brought it into the mainstream. However, as SUVs started to dominate and regular cars became more and more powerful, especially as electrification kicked in, the idea of tuning your own car largely dropped out of favor. We have Toyota RAV4s coming from the factory with over 300 horsepower, remember.Nissan hasn't forgotten the era, however, and has served up a stunning reminder at the annual ZCON gathering for Nissan Z enthusiasts hosted by the Z Car Club Association, currently underway in Phoenix, Arizona. There's just one feature missing that could turn this retro revival into a piece of perfection. Meet The Nissan Z Kaze Concept Nissan Nissan's new Z Kaze Concept, unveiled today at ZCON, is based on the latest 2027 Z and draws inspiration from some of Nissan's most iconic sports cars of the past. A key example is the T-top roof, an option first introduced on the 280ZX in the early 1980s and then becoming almost a standard feature on the two generations of 300ZX that followed. Pop the roof panels on the Z Kaze Concept and you can enjoy the feel of air rushing through your hair. Kaze, after all, is the Japanese word for “wind.”The trip down nostalgia lane doesn't end there, though. Another key example is the 18-inch Nismo LMGT2 wheels. While the once-popular forged, multi-piece wheels have long been out of production, the designers sourced an original set and had them restored for the concept. They measure a chunky 10 inches wide at the front and 11 at the rear, helping give the car its stance. The body kit, all made from carbon fiber, helps too.Nissan Z Kaze ConceptThe changes inside are a lot more subtle, though there are some notable tweaks. Nissan had to make several changes to accommodate the T-top roof, including reinforcing the roof structure and modifying the interior trim around the removable panels. Carbon-fiber accents also add to the performance theme, while Bose headrest speakers, a modern touch, ensure occupants can still enjoy their music with the roof panels removed. But What's Under The Hood? Nissan Anyone with even a basic knowledge of the JDM tuning scene will recognize the giant “GReddy” graphic running down the sides of the Z Kaze Concept. GReddy is the performance brand of Japanese company Trust, which is primarily recognized for its powertrain upgrades, particularly when it comes to turbocharged powertrains. This means you can bet there are some spicy upgrades under the hood of Nissan's concept.Unfortunately, Nissan hasn't gone into detail, but it has mentioned items like GReddy's Supreme SP exhaust system, Airinx air filter, and custom air-to-air intercooler. These should help boost output from the Z's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 beyond the stock 400 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. To ensure it handles well, Nissan also fitted the concept with suspension upgrades from its own Nismo catalog.NissanAnd the downside? Nissan chose an automatic-equipped Z as the donor. It's a bit of a contrast with the performance aspect of the concept, though the seven-speed unit is certainly no slushbox. Still, we'd love to shift gears with a nice three-pedal manual setup in this cool sports car. The Last T-Tops In America, And Why They Went Away 2002 Chevrolet Camaro SST-tops are unfortunately a trend of the past — the final two production models to carry those removable roof panels are the 2002 Chevrolet Camaro and Pontiac Firebird. Both models found their T-tops in the '70s, when Chevy first gave the Camaro a bridge between its coupe and convertible variants in 1978. The Firebird first saw the removable panels in 1976, when the brand released a black and gold special edition of the car to celebrate its 50th anniversary.History aside, both models' final T-top years are the best chances for enthusiasts today to get behind the wheel of an American sports car with V8 power while feeling the wind in their hair without a traditional convertible top. They're fairly affordable (although T-top models might cost a little more due to their rarity), their LS1 V8s are relatively reliable, and offer plenty of power.T-tops had some downsides, though, that ultimately led to their demise. They could leak as much as a cloth convertible roof, and they rattled while driving at highway speeds. More serious concerns include reduced structural support, leading to worse handling and worse crash safety. However cool they may look and feel, they can't outweigh the safety, handling, and other concerns that could be solved by simply including a solid roof panel. CarBuzz Insights – Why This Matters Nissan The Z Kaze Concept shows just how much appeal there still is for the old-school JDM tuning formula, especially when it combines classic touches like a T-top with modern performance. Unfortunately, there's one big problem: Nissan has given no indication that it plans to bring a T-top back to the Z lineup, or even revive the Z convertible. For now, that leaves the former 370Z convertible as an interesting alternative. It's a great used buy and provides a solid base for anyone who wants to build something similar to this stunning concept.The Nissan Z Kaze Concept will be on display at ZCON through September 26. It's also scheduled to make a showing at the Japanese Classic Car Show in Long Beach, California, on October 3.Nissan Z Kaze Concept