1994 Nissan Z32 300ZX

This 1994 Nissan 300ZX is one of eight factory-supported Z32 race cars constructed by Clayton Cunningham Racing for IMSA competition and is one of just two campaigned with power from a naturally aspirated V8 engine. Chassis 008 compiled eight top-three finishes in a 12-race career that was highlighted by a victory in the GTS-1 class at the 1995 12 Hours of Sebring with Steve Millen, Johnny O’Connell, and John Morton at the wheel. The car was purchased approximately 10 years ago by its current owner, actor, comedian, and CarCast host Adam Carolla. Power is provided by a front-mid-mounted 4.5-liter VH45DE V8 that features electronic fuel injection, coil-on-plug ignition, individual throttle bodies, and dry-sump lubrication. Additional equipment includes carbon-fiber composite bodywork over a long-wheelbase chromoly tube chassis, a Hewland VGC five-speed manual transaxle, adjustable coilover suspension, cross-drilled and ventilated disc brakes, staggered-width 17” BBS wheels, and a single racing seat upholstered in red. Service within the last five years has included replacement of the fuel bladders, a rebuild of the brake system with Brembo components, and the installation of JRi adjustable dampers with remote reservoirs. This V8-powered 300ZX IMSA GTS race car is now offered by the seller on behalf of the owner in Montrose, California, with a bill of sale. Following the success of the ZX-Turbo prototype racer in IMSA GTP competition, Nissan commissioned chief designer Trevor Harris to create a chassis to represent the contemporary road-going Z32 300ZX in the GTO division. Clayton Cunningham Racing was enlisted to build the car, which debuted in 1989 with silhouette-style bodywork and power from a twin-turbocharged V6. After the platform’s 1994 sweep of the 24 Hours of Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, and the GTS class at Le Mans, IMSA’s ban of the twin-turbo engine led Nissan to shift to V8 power for 1995. Wrapped over a 4130 chromoly tubular spaceframe, the carbon-fiber bodywork is finished in the red, white, and blue livery under which it raced in period, and various imperfections are exhibited in the paint. Design features include an adjustable rear wing with split Gurney flaps, a front splitter, high-mounted side mirrors, side exhaust outlets, fuel dry-breaks situated in the left-rear quarter window, and simulated front lighting decals. Multipiece 17” BBS wheels are secured by hexagonal nuts and wear Yokohama radial slicks measuring 340/650 up front and 350/740 at the rear. The seller notes that wheel and tire combination is consistent with the original racing setup and will need to be replaced due to age and lack of available tire sizes prior to returning the car to use. The braking system features hydraulic actuation through dual Tilton master cylinders with adjustable bias and was refreshed approximately five years ago with Brembo calipers and 14” cross-drilled and ventilated rotors that are slotted up front. Cooling ducts are routed to all four wheels. The cockpit houses a single racing seat that is upholstered in red cloth and equipped with a Sparco six-point harness. Additional features include an integrated roll cage, a ventilation duct with an Atwood inline blower, a central shifter with exposed linkage, a window net, and a fire-suppression system. The seller notes that safety equipment will need to be updated prior to race usage. The MOMO quick-release steering wheel sits ahead of a Pi Research digital dash with a 9k-rpm tachometer scale. A panel to the driver’s right hosts switchgear and aircraft-style fuses. According to the seller, the car has not been driven under current ownership. The 4.5-liter VH45DE quad-cam 90° V8 is said to have been built by Caldwell Development and shares the production engine’s aluminum block and cylinder heads while utilizing dry-sump lubrication and individual throttle bodies topped by an air pan, intake trumpets, and a carbon-fiber intake shroud. Fuel injection and coil-on-plug ignition are managed electronically, and additional equipment includes a 26.4-gallon fuel cell, a forward-canted radiator, an oil cooler, and an axle-driven alternator. A fuel system refresh performed approximately five years ago included the installation of replacement bladders, Aeromotive pumps, and filters. According to the seller, the car will require a full inspection and servicing before being returned to racing use. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Hewland VGC five-speed manual transaxle, and a rear-mounted heat exchanger is fed by air ducted through the sail panel. The double-wishbone suspension system was fitted with JRi adjustable coilover dampers with remote reservoirs approximately five years ago, and adjustable sway bars are utilized at front and rear. The car is equipped with quick jacks. The car’s racing history includes a pole position and class win at Laguna Seca in 1994 in addition to the Sebring class triumph in 1995. A list of the car’s technical specifics can be viewed in the photo gallery below. The seller states that a chassis number has not been located on the car. The car does not have a title, and it is being sold for off-road use only on a bill of sale.