Nissan Brings Back the '90s With a Retro T-Top Concept CarAutoGuide.comAvery AndersonWed, September 23, 2026 at 10:51 PM UTCAdd us on Googlenissan brings back the 90s with a t top concept carCould it be? Is Nissan seriously previewing a T-Top version of the Z sports car?Sadly, the answer is a big 'ol: NOPE.Regardless, Nissan has pulled the wraps off a one-off homage to golden-era import tuner culture at the annual Z Car Club Association convention (ZCON). Dubbed the Z Kaze concept (taking its name from the Japanese word for wind) the project car reimagines the current-generation Z chassis with a remanufactured T-top roof structure, period-correct aftermarket hardware, and a targeted nod to 1990s Japanese domestic market (JDM) aesthetics.AdvertisementAdvertisementDeveloped internally by a team of Nissan Americas product planners and designers, the concept shifts focus away from track-oriented lap times toward open-air grand touring and period tuner heritage.Nissan Z Kaze Concept: All the DetailsNissan Z Kaze Concept: All the DetailsView Gallery17 photosT-Top Architecture and Exterior StylingThe focal point of the build is its custom open-roof layout. T-top configurations were a staple of past Z generations-most notably on the Z31 and Z32 300ZX models of the 1980s and 1990s-offering a middle ground between a rigid coupe and a full convertible.To complement the open cabin, the design team selected a period-inspired Pacific Teal paint scheme. The exterior body modifications lean heavily into late-20th-century tuner aesthetics, featuring lightweight carbon fiber bodywork (including a vented hood, a bespoke aero kit, and subtle fender flares) that wraps around the widened arches. To complete the look, the build sits on a set of sourced and restored 18-inch NISMO LMGT2 wheels, a long-discontinued multi-piece forged set measuring 10 inches wide up front and 11 inches in the rear to fill out the stance.Interior and Audio PackagingInside, the concept breaks from the dark, utilitarian cabins common in modern sports cars. The interior is upholstered in custom white leather (that really was a terrible trend of the '90s) designed to highlight the open-top architecture when viewed from above. Carbon fiber accents trim the center console and dashboard layout.AdvertisementAdvertisementTo compensate for wind noise during open-top driving, Nissan integrated Bose Personal Plus headrest speakers directly into the seating, maintaining driver audio focus without relying solely on high-volume door speakers.Mechanical and Performance UpgradesUnderneath the modified bodywork, the Z Kaze retains Nissan's standard twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, but upgrades key breathing and cooling components through established aftermarket channels.The build incorporates GReddy components-including a SUPREME SP cat-back exhaust system and a front-mount air-to-air intercooler kit paired with an Airinx air intake-alongside upgraded NISMO performance suspension components. This integration serves as a direct nod to the aftermarket companies that defined Japanese performance tuning during the 1990s GT-R and Z eras.AvailabilityFollowing its debut in Phoenix at ZCON, the Nissan Z Kaze concept will make its next public appearance at the Japanese Classic Car Show (JCCS) on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Nissan has not indicated any plans for a production run of the T-top roof structure.