NISMO Nick is bringing back the Nissan Z T-top with a custom conversion. Build headlines a new “Open Air Collection” celebrating Nissan’s unconventional side. A Murano CrossCabriolet and one-off Juke Convertible will join the project lineup. T-tops were once as much a part of Nissan’s sports car identity as turbochargers, pop-up headlights, and cassette decks. If you grew up lusting after a Z-car in the 1980s or 1990s, chances are you imagined cruising with the roof panels stowed away and the wind rushing through the cabin. Now, one Nissan enthusiast is attempting to bring that experience back. Nick Scherr, better known online as NISMO Nick, has announced plans for a custom T-top conversion based on the current-generation Nissan Z, making it the centerpiece of a new collection of open-air Nissan projects set to debut next year. The project forms part of what Nick calls the “Open Air Collection,” a trio of enthusiast-focused builds that also includes a heavily customized Murano CrossCabriolet and a one-off Juke Convertible concept. Read: The Nismo Z Just Got What You Always Asked For According to Nick, the goal isn’t simply to cut a hole in the roof. Instead, he wants the finished product to feel like something Nissan itself could have produced. “The Nissan community is built on enthusiasm,” Nick said. “Some enthusiasts love OEM-plus builds that look like they could have rolled off the assembly line. Others love wild concepts that push boundaries. The Open Air Collection is about celebrating all of it.” The idea directly ties back to classic Z-cars that featured T-tops throughout various generations. Sure, the current Z is the best of its family in terms of performance, but clearly, there’s something to be gained in the way of visual appeal here. The build details show just how thoughtful Nick is about the little things. Built To Look Factory Made Regarding engineering challenges, he tells Carscoops that, “Some of the engineering challenges I am facing involve ensuring watertight sealing throughout the vehicle. Areas of particular concern include the windshield, side windows, rear section, and the interfaces where the T-top panels meet the center T-bar. Because this is a true T-top design rather than a targa roof, the sealing requirements are significantly more complex. The only other concern I foresee is wind noise, which will require careful attention to panel fitment and weather sealing. Another aspect I am currently evaluating is the side-curtain airbag system. Given that this is a one-off custom build rather than a production vehicle, this is not as critical a concern as it would be for a mass-produced design, but it is still an area that warrants consideration.” A CrossCabriolet And A Drop-Top Juke The T-top Z might not even be the most unusual vehicle in the collection. Nick is also building a modernized take on the already quirky Murano CrossCabriolet and a drop-top version of the Nissan Juke. All together, it sounds almost like an alternate universe where market research didn’t dictate most decisions at the company level. It might not remain that way for good, though. According to Nick, “Nissan insiders love the idea of the t-top Z. I know for a fact things I have designed and built have influenced Nissan.” Hopefully, that influence only continues to grow, considering just how enthusiast-focused these builds are. Credit: NISMO Nick
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