Racecar replica

[Emil]

Hi guys,

I have a 'spare' Z that I would like to rebuild to look like a 240ZG racecar. The original that I have in mind is the car that is supposed to have participated in the Fuji 1000 in 1971 or 1972. The only reference I have is an old scalemodel kit (1/24 scale) from Fujimi. I have the following questions for you:

1. Has anyone information of this car (descriptions/pictures)

2. Where to buy a G-Nose, headlight covers and ZG flares

I know that MSA has a g-nose kit, but they don't have headlight covers. In another thread someone mentioned sources in Japan, but no further sites specified.

Thanks

Emil Stojanov

The Netherlands

[chickenwafer]

MSA will have the G-Nose kit and ZG Flares, but those headlight covers will set you back some money. They are inclussive to Japan (the only place the G-Nose was made) and I don't believe any aftermarket companies (in the USA at least) have made reproductions because the G-Nose isn't exactly a "popular" upgrade. Your best bet is to find a source in Japan, but be aware they will demand a pretty penny and might be in rough shape. Good luck with the car, though, and be sure to post pictures when you're done!

Dave

[Alfadog]

Wait! The racing ZG uses different flares and a front spoiler. I can't imagine these could be sourced in America. I am sure they are available though as replicas - in Japan. Best bet is to hope Alan sees this thread

That is if you're trying to make something a little like this :

[e_racer1999]

did anyone else notice that the windshield wipers are mounted opposite of how they should be on that model?

gonna look hot.

[Alfadog]

It was RHD Jason!

[Bambikiller240]

Lachlan:

Did you build that model? What scale is it? It looks very nice.

[e_racer1999]

It was RHD Jason!

exactly. the wipers are mounted LHD style....

EDIT!!!! HAHAHA! n/m, they're right! :doof:

[v12horse]

Emil, I am not sure which Fujimi kit you are referring to, but I do have one of a racing ZG. I think it would be great if you made a replica of one of the SCCN ZG's. If you are looking for a nice replica of a g-nose, I would not recommend the MSA nose as it is a one piece. You will definately have to source many parts from Japan. It will most likely be pricey, but well worth the effort. Keep us posted and post a picture of the model that has inspired you to do this.

-Ben

[Ron Carter]

I believe that the car pictured above (nice Ebbro Model) is still in Japan or a very fine replica exists of this car.

There was a Nostagic Hero Magazine I saw a few years back with the build up of a car that looked very much like the car above.

As for building replicas....It is amazing what a little reasearch will do to uncover the right parts to do a quality restoration/replica.

If need be there are sources that will custom build the parts you need from photos, but I would suggest that you look to the original suppliers first.

Good luck, it would be a great project.

R

[Alfadog]

Lachlan:

Did you build that model? What scale is it? It looks very nice.

Me, actually completing a model?! HA! Naw Carl, I found that via Google and I do believe it is a pre-made model in 1:24 scale.

[Zrush]

Why doesn't someone replicate "Big Sam". That's a great racer with lots of history. Does anyone know of a replica of this champion?

Vicky

[HS30-H]

The original that I have in mind is the car that is supposed to have participated in the Fuji 1000 in 1971 or 1972. The only reference I have is an old scalemodel kit (1/24 scale) from Fujimi. I have the following questions for you:

1. Has anyone information of this car (descriptions/pictures)

Hi Emil,

I'm guessing that I know the particular car you are referring to. The clue is the Fujimi kit.....

It is almost certainly based on the car driven by Haruhito ( 'Haru' ) Yanagida, who went on to found tuning company 'CENTRAL 20' - specialising in Z cars.

Yanagida started his race career as a privateer back in the late Sixties, driving a Fairlady SR. He joined the Nissan Racing School as a pupil and became one of their top graduates. He started racing a Z as a privateer, but was soon elevated to semi-Works support and became one of Nissan's SCCN team drivers. He received Works parts for his car, and quickly became one of the most successful drivers of Works '240ZR' race cars. He was particularly noted for his skill in wet conditions, and earned the nickname 'Ame no Yanagida' ( rough translation would equate to 'Yanagida of the rain' - or perhaps 'Rain Master Yanagida' would be more in the spirit of what was intended ).

He had a fairly long race career, even taking the wheel of Touring Cars and Group C machines. 'CENTRAL 20' became more of a focus for him after his race career ended, and is still going strong ( they have produced many parts for the Z33 ). Yanagida's son became a race driver - another graduate of the Nissan Racing School - and ties up the Z racing history of the Yanagida family very nicely, as he became one of Nissan's Works drivers of the JGTC Z33 cars.

Yanagida senior's car ( like most race cars of that era ) was something of a moving target in respect to its specification. It started out as a 'short nose' race car, but was then upgraded to the full Works 'ZR' aerodynamic package ( the first of these was nicknamed the 'Type A' package ) which is the configuration your Fujimi kit illustrates. The car was updated frequently, eventually being fitted with the 'Type B' aero package and taken far beyond the standard Works ZR spec - with the addition of extra aero parts ( including a 'Batmobile' style double rear fin arrangement ).

If you want to replicate the car in its 1972 FUJI 1000km race guise ( as per the Fujimi artwork ) then you will need to obtain a replica of the full Works 'Type A' ZG/ZR aero package from a Japanese supplier. These replicas are still being produced by more than one company. I helped a friend here in the UK source one a couple of years ago ( he is building a replica of the 1975 / 1976 Le Mans 24hr race car ) and the quality was fine.

There are lots of other things to think about ( suitable wheels and tyres to fill up those huge arches for example ) and you will want to have a car that has a bite to match its bark. Yanagida's car was pretty fast and featured some rather exotic mechanical specifications, but you don't need to replicate these to get the same feel.

These Works-associated race cars are something of a pet subject of mine. I'd be pleased to try and help you with any further research if I can.

Here are some reference pics of Yanagida's car. First shows him being overtaken by the Lola T290 of Urushihara, and second with the McLaren M12 of Sakae looming in his mirrors. Third is a closeup 'mood' shot in colour, and finally a portrait of Yanagida himself from mid 1972.

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Alan T.