Nissan 300ZX Race Car- 1987

The IMSA Firehawk Endurance Championship, introduced in the 1980s, brought professional showroom stock racing to a new level. As the series name implies, teams were required to race on Firestone’s Firehawk street tires. Notable drivers such as P.J. Jones, Randy Pobst, and John Andretti made their mark in the series, which ran for nearly a decade before shifting to new ownership in the mid-’90s.

One standout race car from the era is this 1987 Nissan 300ZX. Originally a 1987 pre-production test car, it was destined to be destroyed but was saved by Robert Yakushi, a Nissan engineer, and his partner in Hillcrest Engineering, Nelson Mark. After modifications, the 300ZX raced in the IMSA Firehawk series, driven by P.J. Jones, G.S. Johnson, and Yakushi himself. Following its IMSA career, the car continued racing in SCCA events before retiring to Nelson Mark’s garage in California.

The car was so impressive on track, Nissan used Yakushi and Mark’s engineering in the development of the second-generation 300ZX, known as the Z32. To this day, the car still holds the IMSA Firehawk race series top speed record, 197 mph.

Specifications:

Manufacturer: Nissan/Hillcrest Engineering

Country of Origin: Japan/USA

Drivetrain Configuration: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive

Engine: Nissan (modified); water-cooled, 3-liter, turbocharged V6, 4-stroke, 450-499hp

Transmission: 5-speed manual with reverse

Top Speed: 197 mph

Years of Production: 1987

Number produced: 1

Original Cost: Unpublished