Congratulations to our client Randy Jaffe on his win at the Amelia Island Concours D’ Elegance! Z Car Garage is proud to prepare the iconic, the 1976 IMSA GTU Championship-winning Transcendental Racing Z for Randy and we will have a full report coming to zcarblog.com shortly. A few words from Randy at Amelia:
“Brad & Terrye FRISSELLE made the trip from Colorado to see their former 1976 IMSA GTU Championship early VIN 01543 Datsun 240Z race car co-driven by John Morton.Thanks to so many of our friends that made the trip to support us! Of course the guys at Z Car Garage made it all happen!! Thanks Rob!!!”
To celebrate their 100,000 listing, Bring a Trailer is auctioning their 1973 Datsun 240Z, prepared by Z Car Garage. Finished in Lime Yellow (#112) paint over black vinyl upholstery, it is powered by a numbers-matching Rebello Racing-built 2.7-liter straight-six with triple Weber 40 DCOE carbs. Additional modifications include a 280ZX five-speed manual transmission, an R200 limited-slip differential, ZCG Big-Brakes, ZCG exhaust system and 16″ Panasport wheels with new Michelin tires. The total sale amount for the auction will be donated to the Piston Foundation, a nonprofit that will use 100% of the funds to help young technicians build rewarding careers in the collector car industry by funding programs in the skilled trades. View the auction HERE.
Z Car Garage built and maintained this Z for the previous owner since 2009 and updated it to BaT-preferred spec in 2018. It has since been used as an event car by BaT staff, with whom it has participated in many rallies, cross-country road trips, displays, and other events in the ensuing five years. Enjoy this video showing the Z in action and see below for more details:
The straight-six was bored and stroked from 2.4 to 2.7 liters by Rebello Racing and was installed at ZCG in 2011. Triple Weber 40 DCOE side-draft carburetors with K&N filters are mounted to its E88 cylinder head. Additional engine bay modifications include a polished valve cover, an MSD ignition system, and an inline fuel pressure gauge. Engine number L24-131094 is stamped on the block and matches the chassis plate. Rob dyno tuned the Z, making 203 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque at the rear wheels:
A replacement 280ZX five-speed manual transmission was also installed by ZCG in preparation for the sale. An aluminum flywheel and a heavy-duty clutch were fitted in 2011, while both clutch hydraulic cylinders were changed in 2018. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a custom-built driveshaft and an R200 limited-slip differential with a finned rear cover.
Factory black vinyl bucket seats were reinstalled, as was a stock steering wheel. The air conditioning system was converted to use R134a refrigerant in 2009, and was recharged as part of the February 2023 service at ZCG.An Alpine CD/MP3 player feeds aftermarket three-way 6×9 speakers mounted in a ported box in the rear of the trunk. Diamond-patterned vinyl trim is retained on the center tunnel and in the cargo area, while embroidered mats protect the carpets on the floors.
The Z has been stored indoors at BaT Headquarters in San Francisco when not in use. Details concerning the initial purchase and an ensuing cross-country drive from the Bay Area to Road Atlanta are chronicled in this seven-part feature from early 2018. The car has also been used in events such as:
2018 Copperstate Rally (as a photo and chase car, part of the cross-country trip described above)
2018 Tour to the Mitty (part of the cross-country trip described above)
2018 Faultline 500 in Central California
2018 BaT Alumni BBQ at Monterey Car Week
2018 Targa Baja California (from Palm Springs to mountainous central Baja and back)
2019 BaT Alumni Gathering at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway
2021 Faultline 500 in Central California
2021 Drive Toward a Cure
2021 Golden Week Kyusha Festival in Northern California
2021 BaT Alumni Gathering at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway
2022 BaT Alumni Gathering at WeatherTech Laguna Seca Raceway
2022 Overcrest Rally (nearly 1,800 miles in eastern Washington and central Idaho over three days)
2022 Breakfast Club Rally: Tokyo Calling
Additional details can be seen in our blog reports from April 2018,December 2018, and February 2023. Congrats Bring a Trailer on your 100,000 auction. We are really happy to be a part of the journey and Long Live The Z!
An amaZingly talented driver, Morton brought Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) four National SCCA Championships from 1970-1972: two C-production championships in the Datsun 240Z and two Trans-Am championships in the Datsun 510. Enjoy our photos with John Morton over the years and let’s all wish him the best birthday!
Rob and John at the Velocity Invitational 2022
Morton, Pete Brock and Steve Millen at Laguna Seca 2018
Road Atlanta 2010, with the John Morton Army (JMA)
BRE Reunions in 2008 and 2010:
The Mitty, 2018:
Honored to spend time with John Morton on the racetrack. Happy Birthday!
Happy Friday from Z Car Garage! We are excited for 2023 and have many projects to share with you. Enjoy these photos from the shop today, Friday 10th with full reports coming to zcarblog.
The Bring a Trailer Datsun 240Z
The Bring a Trailer Datsun 240z is in for a checkup. This Z has seen a ton of driving events, rallyes and gatherings and featuers our ZCG Big-Brake kit.
Rick’s BRE 240Z tribute track car
Rick’s BRE-inspired Datsun 240Z track car just received our first set of Z Car Garage KW coil-over suspension from our latest batch. Clients that have already placed an order: kits will ship soon pending an instruction manual first. We also finalized the CD009 6-speed transmission swap on Rick’s Z that also features our (Race) Z Car Garage Big-Brakes.
Cameron’s Z32
Cameron’s Z32 is here for maintenance work and downpipes, inlet piping, larger intercoolers all from Specialty Z. Cameron has been bringing his 300 to us for many years and we we are really glad to have him back.
William’s Z32TT is getting 740cc injectors, downpipes and more:
Beau’s orange Datsun is 280Z coming together. Fresh from paint featuring Z Car Garage Big-Brakes, Z Car Garage CV Axles, T3 suspension and more. This 280 has many 240Z parts retrofitted and it will be cool hot rod.
Looking for a Job? – How about a great career?
Z Car Garage is looking for an experienced technician to be part of our team. This is not an average 9 to 5 automotive job: the ideal candidate must 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: 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:
