The Nissan 400z, in my opinion, is one of the best looking cars to come out of the 2020’s. The 400z feels like a true successor to the heralded 370z, while also paying homage to Datsun’s glory days. I’ve had the privilege of working with my friend Dave Peralta and his 2024 Nissan 400z Performance twice now, and need to plan a third time as this car is constantly being updated and improved.
The 400z is such a new car that it’s still somewhat uncommon to see one modified. This is likely to change with time as more companies offer aftermarket support to a platform that will certainly be popular in the tuner scene. Peralta’s 400z has been modified with a cat-back exhaust, full catless downpipes, flex-fuel system with low-pressure fuel pump for running E-30, and a heat exchanger. For the exterior, the Z has 5-spoke wheels, color change PPF, custom Samurai Archer livery, lots of carbon fiber aero and interior CF trim.
This car is being updated so often that I haven’t been able to photograph its new livery, which was added to the car within a month after I shot it.
Peralta’s 400Z with Samurai livery. Photo from Dave Peralta.
Like many of us, Peralta’s love of cars began at a young age. “My uncle owned a body shop when I was young. Hung out there lots in awe of some of the builds. He had lots of lowriders and 60's-70's muscle cars. He would sometimes pick me and my cousin up from school in a primered 240Z and I used to have to sit in the hatch area.”
“I Grew up in Los Angeles and witnessed the street scene of the late 90's-early 2000s and fell in love with JDM tuners. Was too poor to ever own a tuner, but collected the magazines and played the video games. Always dreamed of being able to afford my own... Now here I am.”
Peralta’s first car was a 1991 Mazda RX-7. “I bought it with my own money at 19 years old from a dealership called ‘The Ugly Duckling’. It was totaled in an accident (not my fault). That created a financial constraint eventually leading me to enlisting in the military.”
“I am a Technical Writer and Maintenance/Operations Instructor for a Flight Simulator company. I always had a passion for aviation and mechanics as a kid and chose aircraft maintenance as a military career. During my service I did an instructor gig for a couple of years and loved it.”
“After retiring from the Air Force my wife and I wanted to move back to the Tampa area, and I happened to have an old friend I used to teach aircraft maintenance with at MacDill refer me to the company he was at. I’ve been doing that for three years now. In addition to military training, I earned a degree in Aviation Maintenance Management.”
When asked for advice on how one can achieve their goals, Peralta’s response echoed many of the ideas we have discussed in this series.
“Have a ‘5-10 year plan.’ Success is relative. Consistently envision yourself in 5-10 years and determine if you are on a trajectory to achieve the goals that will make you happy. If you think your current path will not make you achieve success or happiness, then you need to make a change. This can also be a test to see what you are truly passionate about. If you're passionate it's not work, why would you spend your life doing something you don't love?”
“Reputation is everything. Having a reputation for honesty, integrity, selflessness, and trustworthiness goes a long way. It's a small world and people talk, your reputation will either open doors or limit your opportunities.”
“You need to find the right person that is willing to share their knowledge and be a sponge. Most people that are passionate about their craft are happy to help the next generation.”
This quote is exactly the reason Under The Hood exists. I want younger automotive enthusiasts who are just starting out to learn all they can from people who have already achieved their goals so that they themselves can achieve their goals.
Future updated photos will be provided when I inevitably work with Dave some time in the near future.
