Since Ford replaced the Mustang Mach 1 with the Dark Horse, it might seem pointless to race a Mach 1 against a cutting-edge sports car like the Nissan Z, right? Well, sure, you could make a case for that, but wouldn’t that be missing the entire point of drag racing? It’s not just about pitting same-year models against each other; it’s about celebrating the thrill and excitement of putting incredible machines to the test over the quarter mile, no matter which generation they come from.
Luckily, this Sam CarLegion episode features just what the doctor ordered. First, we have a tuned 2024 Nissan Z. Under the hood, it boasts a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine capable of generating 400 hp and 350 lb-ft (474 Nm) of twist. It’s rear-wheel drive, has a 6-speed manual…