1989 Nissan 300ZX
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Year of manufacture1989
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Car typeOther
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Lot number180
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Reference number1PIeAG1Zb4PDLUhvXLYf6z
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DriveLHD
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ConditionUsed
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Location
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Exterior colourOther
Description
Between 1989 and 1995, Clayton Cunningham Racing built seven factorysupported Nissan 300ZX race cars to compete in the IMSA racing series. Of these race cars, the 300ZX proved to be an extremely successful platform, winning both the Manufacturer’s and Driver’s Championships in 1992 and 1994, as well as an overall win at the storied 1994 Daytona 24 Hours, and a 1st in Class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans that same year.
Campaigned by Clayton Cunningham Racing, this Nissan 300ZX, chassis 002, had seven top-five finishes in 1989 alone, including a 3rd at Mid-Ohio with John Morton driving. The car would see its first victory in 1990 at Mosport with Steve Millen behind the wheel. Chassis 002 would go on to successfully compete from 1990 to 1992, logging a total of four race wins that included Mosport and Road America driven by Steve Millen, and Mid-Ohio and Mosport driven by Jeremy Dale, as well as 16 top-three finishes over its 45-start career.
After its competitive career was completed in 1992, the car was fitted with an additional seat to provide an on-track experience to passengers, remaining under the ownership of Cunningham Racing. Chassis 002 is the only car of the series to have chassis modifications to accommodate a passenger seat and safety harness, making the car immediately recognizable among the grouping.
From Clayton Cunningham, this 300ZX Turbo was sold to the late Toby Bean. When acquired by Bean, the car was in as-raced condition, maintaining its originality. Under the care of Bean, the car would be regularly exhibited at vintage racing events and maintained in race-ready condition. Owned until his passing in 2017, the 300ZX was purchased from the Bean estate by the consignor, joining a fantastic collection of racing cars.
Under current ownership, the 300ZX Turbo has been brought up to full mechanical operation for competitive use. In 2019, chassis 002 raced to victory in both the Long Beach Grand Prix and the Rolex Motorsports Reunion in Monterey.
While many configurations of the 300ZX engines and chassis were used from 1989 through 1992, this particular example sports an all-aluminum, twin-turbocharged DOHC V-6, paired with a Cunningham Racing five-speed gearbox and a Cunningham Racing quick change rear end housing with Hewland VGC internals.
Still sporting its red, white, and blue Nissan livery, this vintage racer cuts an impressive figure; it has a well documented history and never required a full restoration. As one newscaster stated during pre-race coverage of the 1992 IMSA race at Mosport, in which Jeremy Dale prevailed in this very car, “A twin-turbo V6, horsepower upwards of 700, brakes bigger than a serving plate and tires sticky enough to peel paint off a wall. This is not your average Nissan.”
*Please note that this vehicle is sold on a Bill of Sale.
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