There isn’t much to dislike about the classic Z cars, especially the first generation 240Z. Those lines might’ve looked otherworldly in the late sixties, but nowadays, that long hood and squared back have become timeless classics.

So, it works as a piece of art, but how does it stack up as a time attack contender? Well, it needs to be retrofitted in some areas, namely the propulsion department. The L24 motor was thrown in the circular file and an N1 RB26 block was sourced, with forged pistons and a stroker crank.

A Motec M800 and a massive, Borg Warner EFR 8374 single turbo are enough to produce 800 ponies on an astonishing 13 pounds of boost! Only 13 pounds sounds absurd, but the combination of compression, increased displacement, and the right-sized turbo seem to make it possible, though the men at PMC Race Engines had to work their magic first.

Torque is on-hand from low revs and harnessed with a six-speed sequential gearbox from HGT, and linked to an R200 LSD. With sticky Yokohama A050 tires to provide a progressive feel on the limit, driver/owner Paul Henshaw doesn’t have to worry much despite being a self-confessed amateur when it comes to quick laps.

With a carbon wing from Topstage Composites and a sizable lip and canard combination in front, the car has been edged towards a gentle understeer on the limit, so that Henshaw doesn’t find himself facing the wrong direction when searching for those vital tenths.

When it comes to footwork, this car doesn’t disappoint. The stunning carbon fender flares come from the same company – Topstage Composites – and underneath sit a set of undeniably cool Volk TE37Vs in 19×9″ and 19×9.5″ front and rear. With a nearly-square setup and 640 pound-feet of torque, one might think the Z would be quite nervous on the limit, but watching the onboard footage, it seems to have somewhat soft edges dialed into the setup.

The interior is predictably stripped, but retains a leather racing seat to keep some of that old-school charm, while the entire dash helps bring it into the 21st century. The bright minds at Topstage Composites reworked the dash in carbon to trim a bit of heft from it all. Only the prominent shifter stands alone as the one piece of notably futuristic equipment, but that’s part of the appeal of the entire package – it blends both old and new quite seamlessly.

The Arizona Z Car suspension might be the one weak link – no pun intended – with this build. Though made from billet aluminum, the pieces are designed for a street car – not something with downforce and sticky semi-slicks. Nevertheless, Henshaw intends to replace these pieces with something far more robust for his next visit to WTAC, though he isn’t getting carried away. “It’s not about winning for me – it’s about going to an event, and having a good time, and feeling like you belong there.” With a show-stopper like this, it’s fair to assume he’s well-received at the next meet.