Datsun 240Z IMSA Competition

This historic Datsun 240Z IMSA/Trans Am car has an interesting racing history. Ger-Brock Racing of Portland, Oregon, built this 240Z based on a "body in white" received from Datsun in 1974. Although it was called a 240Z, the body was configured as a 280Z in racing trim. Quickor Engineering of Beaverton, OR, and Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) of El Segundo, CA, contributed to the design and construction of the car. The car was primarily driven by Gerald (Jerry) Murch, while Gail Woodworth initially raced it in a few amateur events.

The 240Z raced in SCCA events in the western United States from 1975 to 1978. It raced in national championships in 1975 and 1976 (American Road Race of Champions in Atlanta, Georgia), but was retired due to mechanical problems. In addition to numerous victories and class championships, Murch won the 1976 Pacific Coast Road Racing Championship in Sears Point, California. With encouragement and financial assistance 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 came from a John Cauldwell-built 280Z engine enlarged to 3,0 liters. In race trim, the engine produced 427 hp. Despite its high compression ratio, the car finished almost every event and never finished worse than 10th overall.

At the end of 1981, Trans Am returned to its original pony car concept and dropped Group II. The car was then converted to IMSA trim and specifications. Most events between 1982 and 1984 were held in the GTU class (under 2,5 liters), with a few GTO events using the familiar 3,0-liter engine.

Ger-Brock retired from professional racing after 1984. The red-painted car was still maintained by Ger-Brock and raced successfully in SCCA events in the northwestern US and Canada. In 1990, the car was sold to an amateur driver from Seattle, and around 2014, it was imported to the UK and restored. It made its British debut in 2021 at Donington Park.

The aforementioned extensive restoration was carried out by the experienced team at H-Engineering in Horsmonden, Kent, to their usual impeccable standards of 2014-2015. The car is powered by a new crate 240Z Rebello racing engine, built to period specifications and running on new triple Weber carburetors to period specifications. An electric motorsport steering system was recently installed at considerable expense. The steering is adjustable to ensure no time is lost on hairpin bends and for easy maneuvering in the garage. The Datsun has competed in two events in recent years and performed impeccably under the care of a gentleman driver.