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Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo on display at Car Week August 14-17

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.

 




FOR SALE: 1974 Datsun 260Z IMSA GTU Race Car

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.

 

 

The Z features our ZCG CV Axles and dyno tuning

 
  
 

Build


● 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

Current Photos can be viewed in this Google Photos Album

Dyno video:

 

Period photos of the Different Drummer Racing Z:

 
 

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.

 




TECHNICIANS WANTED

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:

 

 

 

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On Saturday, August 24 the Breakfast Club Rally is hosting Tokyo Calling 4, their fourth All-Japanese car rally starting in Vallejo, Ca.

To register and see more details, please visit their website HERE

 
 

We have run several rallies with Breakfast Club and it is a total blast, you can see our previous event reports HERE.

Stay tuned for caravan information from Z Car Garage.

Z you there!

 

Enjoy this walk-around and driving video from Tokyo Calling 3:

 




On Display: Greg’s 1977 Datsun 280Z

Filed under: 280Z,Events,Featured Cars and Projects
by Alvin G @ 2:40 pm on July 7, 2024

 

Our client Greg’s 1977 Datsun 280Z is now on display at the LeMay-America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington. This Z was treated to a ZCG-style mechanical restoration including a new drivetrain, engine bay restoration, total suspension rebuild, Z Car Garage Big-Brakes and our Z Car Garage CV Axles.

 

The exhibit, called “Shinka”, is an immersive Japanese Automobile Exhibit featuring everything from classic models that laid the foundation to legends of the ’90s and their modern-day successors. The year-long display will showcase both JDM and US market vehicles from a variety of manufacturers, with new cars rotated into the exhibit, so plan to visit frequently!

 

Thanks for the heads up Greg, we are stoked that you are still Enjoying The Ride! See more of Greg’s Z HERE.

 

 

 

 




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