By Steve Laser
The latest customized cars created by students at the Nissan Automobile Technical College are heading to the 2025 Tokyo Auto Salon in January. At campuses across Japan, students can learn all about car maintenance and repair, engineering, body shop and motor sports. And they can put their skills to work by building project vehicles with distinct characters.
Z Lealia
The Nissan Fairlady Z has a huge fan base in Japan, with multiple generations of the iconic sports car a popular sight at car shows. NATC students at the Kyoto campus decided to build a custom concept car for those who admire the Z, yet need more space for their families and cargo.
Fourth-year students in the Automobile Maintenance and Customization Department created the “Z Lealia” over the course of six months. The concept is based on a second-generation Nissan M35 Stagea, a sporty wagon offered in Japan from 2001-’07.
In addition to front styling adapted from the current RZ34 Fairlady Z, the students removed portions of the rear fenders and roof, and creatively installed and welded on rear body panels from a Nissan LEAF, giving the car a more modern appearance. Z Lealia is painted in the sporty hue of Ikazuchi Yellow, a popular color for the current-generation Z.
The interior also received a makeover, with yellow and black upholstery and trim throughout. The “Z” steering wheel, and other elements, contribute to finishing touches applied to the sporty and unique project car.
NEO Skyline
The NEO Skyline, also built at the Kyoto campus, is a remarkable transformation of a CV Skyline Coupe that’s said to pay homage to the rare and sporty “Kenmeri” Skyline of the 1970s. This project took six months to build by another team of fourth-year students.
For reference, the CV35 Skyline (circa 2001) was also known as the Infiniti G35 coupe in other markets, including America. The doors and greenhouse appear to be carried over from the donor car, while the newly fabricated body panels give the NEO a distinctive, customized appearance.
In a creatively retro-future fashion, the students went all out to craft new front and rear styling. The headlights and taillights bring to mind the vintage Skyline, and neatly segue with the artful curves of new fenders, fascias, hood, and decklid.
Students also upgraded the interior of this project car with some cool styling touches. The seat upholstery is dressed with NEO Skyline embroidered logos and the blue tones echo the exterior hue of the car that’s called Tomoaki Blue.
Bluebird Kiwami
Third-year students at the Aichi campus in the Automobile Maintenance and Car Body Master course created this project, called the Bluebird Kiwami, in just two-and-a-half months.
The customized four-door hardtop is based on a 36-year-old Bluebird Maxima, described as a flagship of the PU11 Bluebird series.
With a luxury and sports theme, the students are said to have made full use of the sheet metal and painting techniques that they learned at the college. The wide-body look is dressed with a color called Aurora Flare Blue Pearl.
NATC has five campuses across Japan, including Tochigi, Yokohama, Aichi, Kyoto, and Ehime.
Tokyo Auto Salon is scheduled for Jan. 10-12, 2025, at Makuhari Messe International Convention Complex in Chiba
Note: Display vehicles are subject to change without notice
News source and photos courtesy of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and Nissan Gakuen Automobile Technical College
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