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.

 

 

 

 

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:

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

The third annual Laps for Laguna vintage racing event was held on May 31-June 2. This event is created by the Laguna Seca Raceway Foundation and Classic Sports Racing Group (CSRG) to raise money for charity. Z Car Garage had a blast racing and supporting Datsun 510 race cars running in B-Sedan Group 3. It was a great weekend filled with competition, camaraderie and plenty of Alfas, BMWs and Datsuns sharing the track. Enjoy our report!

 

Z Car Garage Racers

We raced and provided trackside support for 9 cars including B-Sedan Datsun 510s and Kenny’s 997 GT3 Cup car:

#7 Kelvin Tse

 

#64 Kenny Tse

 

Kenny’s Ex-Ted Gruner B-Sedan Datsun 510 featuring our Z Car Garage CV Axles :

  

#25 Jeff Rothman

Gabe’s father Jeff is racing his B-Sedan Datsun 510:

 

#98 Kelly M

 

#68 and #30 Noah’s 510 and BMW 2002

 

#7 Rob Fuller

ZCG owner Rob Fuller, Bay Area Datsun Dealers tribute car (driven by Tom Dockery, see below)

 

Tom shares his experience racing in Rob’s Datsun 510:

“Rob’s generous offer to run his Bay Area Datsun 510 at Laps for Laguna was incredible. It gave me a chance to get back on track after over a year of downtime, with people I know and trust. It also allowed me to experience racing a highly developed B-Sedan. From the first lap in Rob’s car, I fell in love with how it handled the course. With each session, I reduced my lap times until I was consistently running laps in race traffic that were better than my previous personal record. Despite some missed shifts with the Dog Box, I managed to qualify and finish in the top half of the field. I’m looking forward to this fall and the Velocity Invitational, where I’ll be back in the Balzer 510, hopefully set up as well as Rob’s Bay Area Datsun 510.”

Enjoy this in-car video of Tom in Group 3 with paddock footage as well:

The Z Car Garage Nissan Z as Pace Car

Z Car Garage was happy to have our 2023 Nissan Z as Official Pace Car at Laps For Laguna. You might notice the new Z’s livery, it’s a nod to our #49 Joel Anderson IMSA GTU Datsun 240Z, and we will dedicate a separate blog post to it:

 

Glenn’s FAR Performance Datsun 240Z

Race car driver, restorer and Datsun Historian Glenn Chiou raced his FAR Performance 240Z. This Z has a very rich racing history, driven in the 70’s by Loren St. Lawrence in VIPS Restaurant livery. It was fun to watch him race this beautifully-restored 240Z, going as fast as he’s ever been too, earning a class win!

 

Enjoy this in-car video of Glenn in the BADD Z:

Paddock Highlights

Big thanks to Meghan and Ning for taking photos and video around the paddock. Enjoy this VIDEO highlighting paddock and race action

 

A weekend of great racing and good times

 

There was such a great vibe in our pit and it was an absolute pleasure seeing our clients all from different walks of life enjoying the company. Amazing weekend. Special shoutout to ZCG crew for keeping all of the cars running so we can race! More photos in the gallery below.

 

Join us for the 2024 Vintage Racing Season!

 

Z Car Garage is amped for more racing this year. Please check the CSRG website and zcarblog.com for upcoming race events. Do not miss the next event: CSRG’s Charity Challenge at Sonoma September 13-15. We had a blast at last year’s Laps for Laguna, see our race report HERE.

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