240Z at Lemans

[zr240]

If anyone out there has any information on Z cars racing at lemans I would love to know more. Pics would be great!

thanks

[HS30-H]

Hi there ZR240,

Only one S30-series Z car raced at Le Mans, it was in 1975 and 1976 - and it was the same car both years. Other attempts to qualify were made in previous years ( notably by Rob Grant ) but they did not make the cut.

In '75 the entry had a few diff. troubles, but still won their class after finishing the race. In '76 they were going quite well until until a crash on the Mulsanne straight destroyed the car and very sadly proved fatal for the driver.

Have a look around on this site for previous posts on the Le Mans entries; a few months ago we were going great guns on the subject.

I have a fair few photos of the car in both years now, but I would need the permission of the person who gave them to me before I put them up here. I'll have a word with him about it.

What part of the subject were you most interested in? Maybe there's something in particular you want to know?

All the best,

Alan T.

[Z-point]

Hi Ashley,

You are the second Australian who is interested in the lemans history. What is up with you boys down under??

The other person is Rodd Westwood also a member of this group.

Check out this link, we did spoke about it and there are some pics.

http://www.240z.org/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1217&perpage=15&pagenumber=2

We do have our own race and rally forum where we speak about the history.

ps Alan if you get the pictures please think of me, i like them too.

[HS30-H]

Hi Guus,

Here we go again with the Le Mans car subject!...........

Here in the UK we have a replica of the '75 Le Mans entry under construction. Owner is Mr Chris Gray, and he is making a really good job of it. His research is amazingly detailed. I just helped him to get a replica body kit in from Japan ( the Works type "B" ) and he is now fitting it. Its going to be as authentic as possible, with all the correct stickers etc.

Here's one of the photos that you might not have seen before;

[Z-point]

If anyone out there has any information on Z cars racing at lemans I would love to know more. Pics would be great!

thanks

To make the story complete here is a picture of the other car.

Le Mans has a right to have there own thread!

[HS30-H]

Hi Guus,

I'm always worried about getting too much going on these threads, as it makes it difficult for me to be getting on with my work! I keep coming back to the site and having a look at what's going on - when I should be working to make a living..........

By the way, its quite clear that the '75 and '76 cars are one and the same car. We even know where it came from now, and that Japanese number plate should not have been on it in '75, as its from a quite different car. Seems they bent the rules a little to get the car into the race.........

Here's one you might not have seen before;

[Z-point]

Hi Guus,

I'm always worried about getting too much going on these threads, as it makes it difficult for me to be getting on with my work! I keep coming back to the site and having a look at what's going on - when I should be working to make a living..........

By the way, its quite clear that the '75 and '76 cars are one and the same car. We even know where it came from now, and that Japanese number plate should not have been on it in '75, as its from a quite different car. Seems they bent the rules a little to get the car into the race.........

Here's one you might not have seen before;

I forgot Koni had this car lift as a productROFL

but great picture!

[zr240]

thanks for the reply's.

I would love to know everything about this car but im sure it would go on forever.

I would realy love to see some interiour pics as all the shots of see are from the outside and know about engine specs if possible

thanks again

[gogriz91]

Yep, this thread's over 12 years old but I found a youtube video I thought could only go here. At 7:49 and 10:09 you get a glimpse of the Z running

Almost more entertaining than the race is seeing the number of people in the pits during a pit stop.

[TomoHawk]

thanks for the video link. It's too bad the video technology or the shot wasn't better at the time. I too wondered if a Z (or any Datsun) ever made it to a venue like that.

I hope the vintage group can make it there again for the Vintage event, and possibly even set up the live cams.

Edited February 18, 2014 by TomoHawk