Filed under: Events,Racing,Z31,z32
by Alvin G @ 3:00 pm on August 8, 2024
In a fitting tribute to its storied legacy, the Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo will make a special appearance at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion during Monterey Car Week from August 14 to 17, 2024. See the official news from Nissan HERE and read below for a brief introduction.
The Championship-winning 1988 Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo is at Z Car Garage. This iconic race car was driven by Geoff Brabham and John Morton, known for de-throning the Porsche 962 in IMSA racing with 8 straight wins. Thanks to Dean Case and Greg Nelson of Nissan Motorsports for the opportunity to have this legend here at Z Car Garage. Enjoy the photos of chassis #8801 with a full feature coming soon to zcarblog.com
It’s surreal to see the car that has been a poster on our wall actually inside the shop. Rob had to get out his R/C car and another poster from the front office:
Enjoy this video highlighting the epic 1988 IMSA season with Morton and Brabahm in the GTP ZX-T:
In recognition of its impact, IMSA announced earlier this year that Brabham and the GTP ZX-Turbo will be inducted into the 2024 IMSA Hall of Fame in October.
Z Car Garage is excited to participate in the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion August 14-17 at Laguna Seca. We will be racing and supporting the following 5 cars below. Mark those calendars!
BRE Datsun 2000 Roadster (Group 3)
We are stoked to prepare and provide trackside support the #44 BRE Datsun 2000 Roadster, owned by Adam Carolla. This 1968 SRL has a rich history, highlighted by the 1969 SCCA racing season with drivers Frank Monise and John Morton battling with privateer Jack Scoville. This roadster will join 3 others in the highly-competitive John Morton Cup, Group 3. Full story with dyno tuning and sorting coming to zcarblog.com soon!
Hakosuka Skyline (Group 8)
Alex McDowell returns to Laguna Seca in this C10 Skyline built by our friend Jim Froula of Racecraft. Z Car Garage has prepared and supported Alex’s race efforts with the Hako and it has been an awesome experience. Two very memorable racing events were the The Mitty and RMMR
Enjoy some video of the the Hako in action with Alex behind the wheel!
#49 IMSA Joel Anderson GTU Z (Group 8)
Rob Fuller will pilot the #49 Joel Anderson IMSA GTU Datsun 240Z. You might recall the story behind this special, 1972 IMSA GTU 240z as it was owned, built and raced in the 70’s by none other than Joel Anderson. ZCG restored #49 back to its former glory and it debuted at RMMR 2014. John Morton would drive #49 at RMMR 2015.
Porsche 997 GT3 Cup (Group 7)
This very special Porsche is the 2006 FIA European GT3 Championship winning car that was driven by Sean Edwards. It is a 997 GT3 Cup S Prototype and our client Kenny Tse will race it in the Legends of Endurance group. Listen to this car on the Z Car Garage dyno below!
#960 Mini (Group 13)
Rob Fuller will also race this Mini Cooper in the Dan Gurney Saloon Enduro group
Join us for the 2024 race season! See the full race schedule below and LONG LIVE THE Z! The next event will be Laps For Laguna on May 31 at Laguna Seca Raceway:
Filed under: 260Z,Events,Racing
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on July 19, 2024
1974 Datsun 260Z Different Drummer Racing IMSA GTU Race Car
Price: $135,000
This is a rare opportunity to own a fully-restored, competitive vintage race car with significant IMSA history. Chassis # RLS30-000024 is a July 1973 pre-production Datsun 260Z chassis that was sold by the factory for one dollar in 1975 to Different Drummer Racing, owned by Greg Sorrentino of Troy, Michigan. It was one of the very first Datsun 260Z chassis and was built by the legendary American fabricator, Ron Fournier. This Z car has been consistently raced for the last 40+ years in IMSA GTU, SCCA Trans-Am, and C-Production/GT-2 classes.
West Coast race car driver, restorer and Datsun Historian Glenn Chiou meticulously restored the Different Drummer Racing IMSA GTU 260Z in partnership with a combination of Datsun experts in Z Car Garage, Rebello Racing, DP Racing, Classic Datsun Motorsports, and others. In Chiou’s ownership, the car was reunited with its sister car, the ex-Loren St. Lawrence VIPs Restaurant Datsun 240Z. An avid Datsun vintage racer and historian, Chiou now races the excellent example of period IMSA history on the West Coast and has participated in world class events such as the 2021 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and Velocity Invitational.
● Frame-off restoration from 2019 to 2020
● Components original to the car were restored
● PPG single stage paint by Customs by Miguel in Santee, CA
● Rebello Racing 3.0 L-series Race Motor – very fresh with only ~6 hours on the motor)
freshly tuned by Rob Fuller at Z Car Garage
● 44 PHH Mikuni Racing Side-draft Carburetors taper bored w/ Datsun Comp manifold
● Stahl racing headers
● Quartermaster Racing 5.5 button racing clutch/flywheel
● Datsun Competition Option 1 Racing 5-speed Transmission
● Datsun Competition Racing Limited-slip Differential 4.44 Gear Ratio
● Original Tilton Engineering Suspension w/ Koni Race shocks
● Datsun Competition front/rear sway bars
● Datsun Competition Racing Oil Pan
● Ron Fournier fabricated racing components: aluminum radiator reservoir, oil catch
cans, switch panel, dash, door panels, inner panels
● 16×10&12 original E49 BBS magnesium race wheels w/ new outer barrels
● Full fiberglass Gnose body kit: hood, front fenders, doors, rear quarters, hatch
● Car comes with spares: E31 head, Rebello L28 bored to 3.0L bare block, R190
differential case, original bits and pieces
We have been fortunate to race alongside Glenn and the Different Drummer Racing 260Z at several high-profile events. See it in action in our race reports from the Velocity Invitational at Weathertech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Filed under: 240z,Events
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on July 16, 2024
EXPERIENCED TECHNICIANS WANTED
Looking for a Job? – How about a great career?
Z Car Garage has two technician positions open. This is not an average 9 to 5 automotive job: the ideal candidate smust be motivated, passionate and ready to put in the work so we can continue building classic Z cars and late model Nissans.
We work 4-10hr days and offer competitive pay/benefits with opportunities for growth
Requirements: 5 years or more Automotive experience, your own set of tools, willingness to learn
Nissan/Datsun experience is NOT a requirement, you just need to have passion
We are heavily involved in motorsports with up to 10 vintage race events a year. From race cars to street cars and performance tuning…to routine maintenance and keeping vintage cars on the road, we love what we do!
Interested or know someone who might be a good fit? PLEASE SHARE THIS and spread the word. Send your CV to rob@zcargarage.com and call us at (408)452-0350.
Check out our shop on this episode of Hoonigan Autofocus with Larry Chen:
