A little-known Japanese sports car with deep enthusiast roots is now legally eligible for import into the United States, opening the door for collectors seeking something far outside the mainstream. The first-generation Tommykaira ZZ, a featherweight roadster built in limited numbers, has fully aged into eligibility under the Department of Transportation’s 25-year import exemption.
That rolling rule continues to reshape the collector car landscape by allowing federally noncompliant vehicles to enter the country once they reach a quarter-century in age. For 2026, that includes the entire initial production run of the Tommykaira ZZ, a mid-engine, open-top sports car that remained obscure outside Japan despite its performance credentials.
The ZZ was developed by Tommykaira, a company founded by Yoshikazu Tomita and Kikuo Kaira. Tomita brought experience importing European sports cars, while Kaira contributed racing and engineering expertise from his Formula 2 background. Before building its own vehicle, Tommykaira earned a reputation for tuning production models, including factory-backed performance versions of the Subaru Impreza, Nissan Skyline, and Nissan Silvia. That relationship with Nissan ultimately supplied the engine for the ZZ.
Weighing just over 1,400 pounds, the ZZ undercuts even the Lotus Elise in mass. Its minimalist construction places a Nissan-sourced 2.0-liter SR20 four-cylinder engine behind the driver, producing 178 horsepower in standard form and up to 197 horsepower in the higher-output ZZ-S variant. That combination gives the car a power-to-weight ratio comparable to far more powerful performance icons.
The car’s lightweight focus does come with trade-offs. While many mechanical components are Nissan-based, the ZZ was assembled under contract in the United Kingdom, complicating parts availability. Owners should expect to rely on fabrication and specialist support. Weather protection is minimal, reinforcing the car’s uncompromising approach to driving purity.
Only 220 examples of the first-generation ZZ were produced, making it exceptionally rare. Its cult following grew in part through appearances in the Gran Turismo video game series beginning with Gran Turismo 2, cementing its status among driving enthusiasts.
A later, battery-powered second-generation model exists but will not be eligible for U.S. import until 2039. For now, the original ZZ offers American collectors a newly accessible, highly unconventional sports car with serious performance pedigree and unmistakable character.
Via Bring a Trailer
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