Nissan scored a few of its greatest racing successes within the late Nineteen Eighties and early Nineties, competing within the IMSA GTP prototype class and racing the Z32-generation 300ZX within the GTO class. A kind of 300ZX IMSA GTO race vehicles is now on the market on Bring a Trailer.
Clayton Cunningham racing constructed seven factory-supported vehicles, which raced between 1989 and 1995. This automobile—chassis 004—debuted in 1990 and raced in 1991 as properly, with wins at Street Atlanta and Watkins Glen, seven pole positions, two quickest laps, and a 93% ending file, based on the itemizing.
Energy is offered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, coupled to a 5-speed handbook transmission with rear-wheel drive.
1990 Nissan 300ZX Twin Turbo IMSA GTO race automobile (Picture by Convey a Trailer)
Carbon-fiber bodywork vaguely resembles a inventory 1990 Nissan 300ZX, however beneath is a bespoke chromoly tubular area body. Chassis 004 debuted an extended-wheelbase structure supposed to assist remedy dealing with ills with the primary three vehicles.
After 14 races, chassis 004 was retired on the finish of the 1991 season. It was used as a backup automobile, earlier than being offered in 1997 to a Canadian proprietor. That proprietor left the automobile unused earlier than returning it to Clayton Cunningham Racing in 2003 for reconditioning, based on the itemizing. The automobile then sat idle once more till it was offered in 2017 to an Oregon proprietor, who entered it in classic races. It was refurbished a second time earlier than being acquired by the present proprietor in 2020, based on the itemizing.
Its value noting that a similar car, chassis 002, constructed for the 1989 IMSA season, went unsold after being listed by Stratas Auctions final 12 months. That automobile has on the identical twin-turbo engine as chassis 004, however the earlier short-wheelbase chassis. It additionally by no means gained a race; its finest end was third at Mid-Ohio.