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| 1971 Datsun 240Z (East African Safari Rally, 1971): Datsun/Nissan had a very successful outing at the 19th East African Safari Rally in 1971. In it's first entry the 240/Fairlady Z won the Over-all Victory, Class Victory, Team Victory and Manufactures Championship. Edgar Hermann and Hans Shuller finished first in this car with team cars finishing second and seventh overall. Considered to be the world's toughest rally, the East African Safari routes through Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. Model by IXO 1/43 |
1970 Datsun BRE 240Z (SCCA C Production Champion 1970 & 71): Pete Brock's BRE Racing began its successful association with Nissan with the Datsun 2000. This led to development of the new 240Z. BRE and drive John Morton won SCCA's C Production championship in 1970 and 1971. From there, BRE moved on to the 510 and Trans Am, but Bob Sharp kept the Z car in the winners circle much of the next ten years. Model by DEL PRADO 1/43 |
BRE CHAMPIONS! |
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| 1972 Datsun 240Z (Monte Carlo Rallye, 1972): From 1970-1973, Nissan Works built approximately 40 special cars for international rallying. All cars were built on a Z432R chassis and early cars had lightweight steel and fiberglass body panels, as well as acrylic side and rear window. A rule change in 1972 required the use of all steel construction and glass windows, resulting in a 200 lb. weight increase. The cars were all powered by a hand assembled S30 SOHC 2.4L inline-6 engine with triple carbs and lightened components to produce 220 bhp. Model by ATLAS 1/43 |
1972 Datsun 240Z (Monte Carlo Rallye, 1972): Nissan built the rally cars in batches and each was designed and built for its particular rally (East African Safari, RAC, Monte Carlo, etc.) so among the cars built, they are unique. Few survived and this one, which finished 3rd on the 1972 Monte Carlo Rallye resides today in the Nissan Museum. Famed Finnish rally driver Rauno Aaltonen drove for Nissan in 1970 to 1972. In 1971 he finished 5th overall with Paul Easter and in 1972 in this car his co-pilot was Jean Todt, who would go on to become the general manager for Scuderia Ferrari and president of the FIA.
Model by ATLAS 1/43 |
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| 1971 Datsun 510 (1971 & 72 Trans Am U2.5 Champion): BRE,in close conjunction with the Datsun factory, used their Datsun 2000 racing experieince to dominate the Trans-Am 2.5L class in 1971 and 1972. Powered by a 1.8L four-cyl.engine producing 150 hp, John Morton drove the sole car for the team in 1971, beating out John Weston in his Alfa Romeo for the class championship. Three cars were prepared for 1972, with Morton again taking the Championship. Model by EBBRO 1/43 |
1971 Datsun 510 (1971 & 72 Trans Am U2.5 Champion): BRE on pre-grid at PIR Trans Am, 1972 |
1972 Datsun 510: Actor Paul Newman became an accomplished race car driver, winning several national championships in SCCA competition. He ran a Bob Sharp prepared 510 in the mid-70's. While qualifying at the SCCA Runoffs in 1973, he crashed heavily. The remains were put on a truck and hauled to Sharp's race shop, where after a few hours it was repaird and taken back to Atlanta for Newman to race. He finished 9th that year, 6th in 1975 and 3rd in 1976 in this car. Model by TRUESCALE 1/43 |
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| 1971 Datsun 510 (Riverside, 1972): BRE built five Datsun 510's to run in the Trans Am Two Five Challenge in 1972. One car was the regular ride of Trans Am Champion John Morton and BRE ran two additional cars at select events in the Under 2.5L Trans Am Championship. Peter Gregg who was already starting to establish a name for himself with his Brumos Porsches was one of the drivers who "guest drove" for BRE during the season. Model by GREENLIGHT 1/43 |
1971 Datsun 510 (Riverside, 1972): Gregg raced this car four times in 1972 and stood atop the podium twice as winner at both Watkins Glen and Mid-Ohio. While he didn't finish the Donnybrooke round of the series, he finished 2nd after qualifying 4th at the season finale at Riverside. Model by GREENLIGHT 1/43 |
1971 Datsun 510 (Laguna Seca, 1972): NASCAR great Bobby Allison sat behind the wheel of this car for two rounds of the SCCA Trans Am Two Five Challenge in 1972. BRE raced this car three times during the 1972 season with Hershel McGriff, another NASCAR legend driving at Portland (2nd) and Allison at both Laguna Seca and Riverside when Trans Am races didn't interfere with his stock car commitments. Allision was an accomplished road racer and did well in Can Am, IROC and Trans Am racing. Model by GREENLIGHT 1/43 |
1971 Datsun 510 (Laguna Seca, 1972): While Allison did not finish at Riverside, he did finish 3rd at Laguna Seca behind John Morton who won the race. The 1.8L SOHC 4-cylinder 510's, which put out 190 HP, dominated the Under 2.5L class in Trans Am racing. They effectively drove away the competition and sadly the end to that class in Trans Am racing. Model by GREENLIGHT 1/43 |
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| 1986 Nissan GTP ZX-T: Using a Lola T810 chassis, Electramotive Engineering developed the GTP ZX-T for Nissan to compete in the IMSA GT Championship. The GTP ZX-T was named due to its shared engine with the production Nissan 300ZX, a turbocharged 3.0L V6. The GTP ZX Turbo engine was highly modified for racing. 1986 was a development season for the team, with the car showing signs of the competitive form it would take on in subsequent seasons. Tony Adamowicz, Elliott Forbes-Robinson and Don Devendorf drove this car (#T710-3) at the inaugural race for the GTP ZX-T at the Lowenbrau GP of Miami in 1986 and finished 10th. It was raceed through the 1990 season, winning the Miami race in 1987. Model by TRUESCALE 1/43 |
1988 Nissan R88C: Using a March designed body work and aluminium chassis, Nissan developed a new engine for its Group C car in 1988. Using a 750 bhp twin-turbo V8,the new R88C was better than the previous R87E, but still off the pace of the Jaguars and Porsches which dominated Group C. For Le Mans in 1988, Nissan entered this car driven by our friend Mike Wilds, Win Percy and Allan Grice. They finished in 14th position overall. Model by EBBRO 1/43 |
1994 Nissan 300ZX (Le Mans 1994): Coming off outright wins against the prototypes at both Daytona and Sebring, Cunningham Racing hoped to vie for an outright win at Le Mans in 1974. However, they had overestimated the amount of downforce needed and their cars had too much drag, only managing a top speed of 184 mph. Not enough top-end speed to keep up with the prototypes on the Mulsanne Straight. Powered by a 3.0L DOHC V6 that produced 700 bhp, the two Cunningham entered cars were capable, just not fast enough at Le Mans. This was the driven by Paul Gentilozzi to the win at Daytona, who was joined with Eric van der Poole and Shunji Kasuya at Le Mans. A fire during morning warm-up led to ignition system failure during the 4th hour. Its sister car, despite drive belt failure, finished 5th overall and took the class win. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
1998 Nissan R390 GT1 (Astec-TWR): Satoshi Motoyama, Takuyo Kurosawa and Masami Kageyama brought the Nissa Motorsports entry home in 10th place, 9th in class at Le Mans in 1998. Nissan had four of their GT1 class cars place in the top ten at Le Mans that year. Powered by a 3.5L VRH35L twin turbo DOHC V8, producing 641 bhp. The car's styling group was led by Ian Callum, and the mechanical and aerodynamic design led by Tony Southgate, both of Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR). Model by VITESSE 1/43 |
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| 2011 Oreca 03-Nissan: French team Signature Racing obtained one of the five Oreca 03's built in 2011 and combined forces with Nissan to create Signatech Racing. They campaigned this car together in the FIA World Endurance Championship and at Le Mans. Powered by a Nissan 4.5L V8 producing a regulated 460bhp, the carbon fibre monocoque car proved to be competitive from the beginning. At Le Mans in 2011, the team drivers Franck Mailleux, Lucas Ordonel and Soheil Ayari placed 9th overall and second in the LMP2 class. Signatech campaigned the car again in 2012, finishing 10th overall at Le Mans and 4th in class. In 2013, Signature combined with Alpine and this car was rechristened as an Alpine A450 in homage to the great Alpine Le Mans cars of the early 70's. Used primarily as a second team car, Signatech-Alpine entered the cars once more at Le Mans in 2015. Unfortunately during the sixth hour, it was crashed at Mulsanne Corner and effectively ended the cars racing life. Le Mans 2011 was the team's best finish. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
2013 Oreca 03R-Nissan: In 2013 Oreca made a ‘Le Mans kit’ available to their customers which took advantage of new regulations and the evolution in aerodynamics, to modify the 03’s front and rear bodywork. Modified cars were designated as 03R’s. Murphy Prototypes is a Dublin based team started by ex-racer Greg Murphy in 2012. Campaigning the Oreca in the European Le Mans series in 2013, they finished 4th overall in the LMP2 class and had a strong performance at Le Mans, finishing 12th overall and 6th in class. The car upgraded to 03R specs raced at Le Mans again in 2014 as seen here. Nathan Berthen, Rodolfo Gonzalez and ex-F1 driver Karun Chandhok qualified the car in 15th position. Unfortunately, on lap 73 in heavy rain they were crashed out of the race by another LMP2 competitor. At Le Mans in 2015 with Chandhok and Berthan driving, they took the car to 13th overall and 5th in class. The car ultimately raced at Le Mans five times and five seasons in ELMS. Murphy put the car up for sale at the end of the 2017 race season. Model by SPARK 1/43 |
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| 1968 Datsun Fairlady 2000 Roadster: In 1967, Datsun gave their 1500 Roadster a major update, by installing their lively 2.0L SOHC 4-cylinder engine in a restyled body to produce the Fairlady 2000. Performance made a notable advance with the 2.0L engine now producing 135 hp, 60 hp more than its predecessor, along with a 5-speed manual transmission. From 1967 to 1970, Datsun produced almost 16,000 units, a real challenger to contemporary rivals from MG, Triumph and Alfa Romeo. In 1971, the 2000 was replaced by the 240Z. Model by EBBRO 1/43 |
1968 Datsun Fairlady 2000 Roadster: Datsun produced a "competition" version of the 2000, which featured dual Mikuni/Solex carburetors and a revised camshaft increasing the power output to 150 hp. About 1,000 of these special cars were produced, including all the cars imported to Australia which had no emission restrictions at the time. This increased the top speed of the cars from 105 mph stock, to 124 mph. In 1968, Datsun updated the body of the 2000, with a taller windscreen, padded dash and other safety features to meet new US regulations, which included emission controls which caused power output to suffer some. Model by EBBRO 1/43 |
: Datsun was keen on motorsports and in the USA, the famous Mr. K helped Datsun win both American (SCCA) and Canadian (CSCC) national Championships in D Production. Ten lightweight panel cars were clandestinely produced with engines that produced 200 hp. Perhaps the most famous were Peter Brock's BRE cars. The lightweight of these cars allowed ballast to be placed in the car to bring them up to the required minimum weight, giving the car its best balance for handling and braking. The car shown here is one of three Datsun prepared cars for the 1969 Shell 4000 Trans-Canada Rally. |
: Unfortunately, the rally was cancelled at the last minute as some Canadian authorities banned the rally being run at high speeds on public roads. The cars were to have been sent back to Japan, but this car stayed in Canada with a Vancouver, BC Datsun dealer who drove it to a CSCC national championship in 1971. It was restored and sold to a good friend that raced vintage from the mid-1990's until 1998, when the race team I was a part of was disbanded. This image is from about 1995, one of the first times it was on track here. Now in Seattle, USA, it still runs an occasional vintage race, as fast as ever! |
THE SIGNATURE PROJECT
RACING DIORAMAS
RACING TRANSPORTERS, SUPPORT VEHICLES AND OTHER TRUCKS Pt.1
RACING TRANSPORTERS, SUPPORT VEHICLES AND OTHER TRUCKS Pt.2
World F1 Champions 1950 - PRESENT
GREAT AUTOMOTIVE MAKES & RACING TEAMS:
AMERICAN:
CHAPARRAL CARS - THE CARS OF JIM HALL
CHEVROLET & GM POWERED RACE & PRODUCTION CARS
COBRAS & DAYTONAS - THE CARS OF CARROLL SHELBY
CUNNINGHAM EQUIPE - THE CARS OF BRIGGS CUNNINGHAM
FORD POWERED RACE CARS: GT40's, SHELBY MUSTANGS, NASCAR & MORE!
MISC. AMERICAN MADE CARS
BRITISH:
ASTON MARTIN RACE & PRODUCTION
AUSTIN HEALEY & HEALEY RACE AND PRODUCTION CARS
BRABHAM F1 & SPORTS RACING CARS
BRM F1 & SPORTS RACING CARS
LOLA F1 & SPORTS RACING CARS
LOTUS F1, RACE & PRODUCTION
McLAREN RACING & PRODUCTION CARS
MG CARS - RACING & PRODUCTION
TRIUMPH RACE & PRODUCTION CARS
MISC. BRITISH MADE CARS
FRENCH:
BUGATTI
FRENCH MADE
GERMAN & SWEDISH:
AUDI RACING
BMW RACE & PRODUCTION
MERCEDES BENZ RACE & PRODUCTION
MISC. GERMAN & SWEDISH MADE CARS
ITALIAN & SPANISH:
ABARTH RACING
ALFA ROMEO Pre-WW2 Race & Production Cars
ALFA ROMEO Post-WW2 Race and Production Cars
LANCIA RACE & PRODUCTION
MASERATI RACE & PRODUCTION
MISC. ITALIAN & SPANISH MADE CARS
ASIAN, AUSTRALIAN & NEW ZEALAND:
DATSUN/NISSAN RACE & PRODUCTION CARS
TOYOTA RACE & PRODUCTION CARS
McLAREN RACING & PRODUCTION CARS
MISC. ASIAN & AUSTRALIAN MADE CARS
MORE COLLECTION PAGES...
LE MANS THE PINACLE OF ENDURANCE RACES:
THE 24 HOURS of LE MANS 100 YEARS - 1923-2023
VETERAN, CLASSIC & SPECIAL INTEREST CARS All MARQUES
LAND SPEED AND ENDURANCE RECORD CARS
HALL OF FAME DRIVER TRIBUTES - OUR FAVORITES:
PLAY BALL! - IT'S BASEBALL TIME:
HERE COMES THE MILKMAN!:
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THE OLD IRISH RACING HALL OF FAME
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