1972 Datsun 240Z IMSA Competition Coupé

• Built as a race car in the USA
• In-period competition history in IMSA, SCCA and Trans Am Group II events
• Resident in the UK since 2014
• Professionally restored at a cost of over £75,000
• Raced against Paul Newman

This historic Datsun 240Z IMSA/Trans Am car has an interesting in-period racing history. Ger-Brock Racing of Portland, Oregon built this 240Z from a 'body in white' received from Datsun in 1974. Although referred to as a 240Z, the body was configured as a 280Z in race trim. Contributing to the car's design and construction were Quickor Engineering of Beaverton, OR and Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) of El Segundo, California. The car was driven primarily by Gerald (Jerry) Murch, while Gail Woodworth drove it in some amateur events early on.

The 240Z raced in western USA SCCA events from 1975 to 1978. The car qualified for and raced in the National Championships in 1975 and 1976 (American Road Race of Champions in Atlanta, Georgia) but was a DNF due to mechanical failures. Among numerous wins and class championships, in 1976 Murch won the Pacific Coast Road Racing Championship held at Sears Point, CA. With encouragement and financial help from Datsun, the car was converted to Trans Am Group II trim in 1979 and raced in numerous Trans Am events in 1980 and 1981. Power was from a John Cauldwell-built 280Z engine bored and stroked out to 3.0 litres. In racing trim, the engine produced 427bhp. Despite the high compression ratio, the car finished almost all events, never placing worse than 10th overall.

At the end of 1981, Trans Am reverted to the original 'pony car' concept and dropped Group II. The car was then converted to IMSA trim and specifications. Most of the events run in 1982-84 were in GTU (under 2.5 litres) with a couple of GTO events using the old faithful 3.0-litre engine.

Ger-Brock withdrew from professional events after 1984. The car, painted red, was still maintained at Ger-Brock and raced successfully in SCCA events throughout the Northwest USA and Canada. In 1990 the car was sold to an amateur racer from Seattle, and circa 2014 was imported into the UK and restored. It made its UK debut in 2021 at Donington Park.

The aforementioned comprehensive restoration was carried out by the experienced team at H-Engineering of Horsmonden, Kent to their usual flawless standards (a full photographic record of the restoration is available) from 2014-2015, with bills totalling over £75,000. Further work was carried out in 2021 totalling circa £13,000 The car is powered by a new 'crate' 240Z Rebello racing engine built to Historic specification and running on new period-specification triple-Weber carburettors. An electrically assisted motor sport power steering motor was fitted recently at great expense. Assistance is adjustable to ensure no time is lost at hairpins and for ease of manoeuvring in the garage. The Datsun has been run in two events over past couple of years, performing impeccably under the stewardship of a gentleman driver.

The car is offered with a substantial history file containing period photographs; restoration invoices from H-Engineering; shipping paperwork; miscellaneous other documents; and email correspondence between the original owner/drivers, who raced this remarkable Datsun against the likes of Hollywood legend, Paul Newman.