From the original Nissan Z-car to Honda’s groundbreaking NSX and Nissan’s R33 GT-R, 2025 marks milestone anniversaries for three Japanese legends. Classic Japfest at Goodwood will bring them together for one special celebration this October

Words: Jules Truss

Japanese performance cars have left an indelible mark on motoring history, and this year Classic Japfest will highlight three of the most significant. Taking place at Goodwood on October 4–5, the show will celebrate 55 years of the Datsun and Nissan Z-car, 35 years of the Honda NSX, and 30 years of the Nissan R33 GT-R.

55 Years of the Z-Car

When the Datsun 240Z landed in 1970, it changed perceptions of Japanese cars almost overnight. Here was a sharp-looking, six-cylinder coupé that combined performance, comfort and reliability at a fraction of the cost of European rivals. Its success in motorsport, from the SCCA Championship in America to wins on the East African Safari Rally, cemented its reputation. Over the decades the Z lineage evolved through the 260Z, 280ZX, and the turbocharged 300ZX, before being reborn with the 350Z in 2002. Today the story continues with the latest twin-turbo Nissan Z, a fitting reminder of how it all began 55 years ago.

35 Years of the Honda NSX

Launched in 1990, the Honda NSX was Japan’s answer to the established European supercar makers. Its aluminium construction kept weight low, its mid-mounted V6 delivered both performance and refinement, and its chassis benefitted from development input by Ayrton Senna. The result was a car that was not only fast but also approachable and dependable, qualities that won over enthusiasts and critics alike. The NSX set a benchmark for everyday usability in the supercar world, and three-and-a-half decades later it remains a landmark in Honda’s history.

30 Years of the Nissan R33 GT-R

In 1995, Nissan introduced the R33 GT-R, the third chapter in the modern Skyline GT-R story. Larger and more refined than the R32, it carried forward the now-famous “Godzilla” reputation thanks to its advanced ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system and Super-HICAS rear steering. On track, the R33 proved its mettle, famously lapping the Nürburgring in under eight minutes – a remarkable feat for the time. Thirty years on, the R33 is enjoying a well-deserved rise in appreciation among collectors and enthusiasts.

Classic Japfest will celebrate examples of all three of these icons with a dedicated anniversary paddock, which will sit alongside hundreds of other Japanese classics from clubs and private owners. For anyone with an interest in Japanese performance cars, it’s a rare chance to see these legendary cars side-by-side, against the historic backdrop of Goodwood Motor Circuit.

For more info and to book your tickets, click here!