Nissan’s legendary GTP ZX-Turbo race car which competed in the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) GT Series from 1985 to 1990 made a rare public appearance at the recent Monterey Car Week, in the USA.
It was a unique opportunity for the public to get up close to the GTP ZX-Turbo which embodied Nissan’s determination to outpace the competition during the 1980s, competing in the International Motorsports Association (IMSA) GT Series against formidable competitors like Porsche and Jaguar.
The team responsible from 1985
Originally built by Lola Cars in the UK and developed by Electramotive Engineering in California, the GTP ZX-Turbo boasted a wave of technological advancements and was recognized as a motorsport game-changer for Nissan, cementing the Japanese car maker’s status as a manufacturer capable of mixing it with the world’s best.
The GTP ZX-Turbo made its mark on the racing world during the 1988 season, when legendary drivers Geoff Brabham and John Morton drove it to victory.
Their first major win of the season at the Atlanta Journal Constitution Grand Prix was quickly followed by another triumph at West Palm Beach.
Despite early challenges in previous years with tyre performance, a switch to Goodyear at the beginning of the season allowed the GTP ZX-Turbo to fully unleash its potential.
“We were constantly pushing the limits, especially enhancing the car’s aerodynamics,” said Chris Willes, who joined Electramotive Engineering in 1986.
“It was unbelievable. We won at Atlanta, then at West Palm Beach,” said Ashley Page, the team crew chief who joined the project in 1984.
“I knew from the start that this project was going to be something special.”
Under the leadership of Electramotive founder Don Devendorf, the team refined the car’s aerodynamic design, chassis design and engine electronics. These innovations helped the GTP ZX-Turbo secure the IMSA Constructor’s Championship in 1989, a title it successfully defended in 1990.
Weighing just 860kg and powered by a modified VG30ET V6 punching out a heady 478kW at 8,000rpm and 686Nm at 5500rpm, the sleek Nissan boasted a top speed of 204.8mph (329.5km/h) and accelerated from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds on its way to 100mph in just 6.1 seconds.
Measuring 4800mm from tip to tail and riding on a vast 2705mm wheelbase, the prototype racer stands just 1016mm high. Giant 13-inch four-pod ventilated disc brakes handle stopping duties, hauling the Japanese missile down from 60-0mph in 27.6 metres.
Nearly 40 years after its debut, the GTP ZX-Turbo remains a celebrated icon of racing excellence. The original chassis #8801 is currently being restored at Z Car Garage in in San Jose, ensuring that the legendary vehicle is preserved for future generations.
In recognition of its impact, IMSA announced earlier this year that Aussie Geoff Brabham and the GTP ZX-Turbo will be inducted into the 2024 IMSA Hall of Fame in October.
The GTP ZX-Turbo’s appearance at Monterey – one of the biggest events on the US classic car scene – came 35 years after its win at the IMSA Constructor’s Championship, and coincides with notable anniversaries for the Nissan Z, including the 55th anniversary of the Datsun 240Z and the 35th anniversary of the Nissan 300ZX.
