Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo #8803
Restored. Built by Electromotive Engineering in 1988, the car made it’s debut late in the season, at the Portland 300km IMSA event, qualifying and finishing in 2nd position. Sister car to the dominating chassis #01 car being driven by Geoff Brabham and John Morton, the car went on to have three further successful meetings in ’88 bringing Nissan to within a single point of winning the constructors championship, even after missing two complete events.
Specification
Race Category: IMSA GTP sports prototype
Livery: BF Goodrich
Year: 1988
Designer: Trevor Harris, Yoshi Suzuka and the Electramotive Engineering team
Chassis Number: 8803
Chassis Construction: Electramotive-built aluminium monocoque with lightweight composite bodywork
Weight: 860 kg
Aerodynamics: Full ground-effect IMSA GTP bodywork with large Venturi tunnels and advanced underbody aerodynamics
Body Style: Closed-cockpit IMSA GTP prototype
Steering Position:
Suspension: Double wishbone suspension with coil-over dampers front and rear
Brakes: Ventilated racing disc brakes
Engine Details: Nissan V6 single turbo
Engine Layout:
Engine Size: 3 litre
Engine Power: 850–1,000 bhp
Fuel Type:
Drive Configuration: Rear-wheel drive
Transmission: Weismann 5-speed manual transaxle
Detailed Overview
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Description
The Nissan GTP ZX-Turbo chassis 8803, later raced as car #67, is one of the most historically significant examples of Nissan’s groundbreaking IMSA GTP programme. Constructed by Electramotive Engineering for the 1988 season, chassis 8803 formed part of the factory effort that finally broke the long-standing dominance of the Porsche 962 and established Nissan as the benchmark manufacturer in North American prototype racing.
Built around an Electramotive-designed aluminium monocoque with lightweight composite bodywork, the GTP ZX-Turbo featured advanced ground-effect aerodynamics that generated exceptional cornering performance while maintaining impressive straight-line speed. Large Venturi tunnels beneath the car, carefully developed front bodywork and efficient cooling arrangements enabled the chassis to remain competitive throughout one of IMSA’s most fiercely contested eras.
Power came from Nissan’s legendary twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre VG30ET V6, derived from the production 300ZX but extensively redesigned for endurance racing. Producing between 850 and 1,000 horsepower depending on boost settings, the engine delivered immense acceleration and proved to be one of the most successful turbocharged powerplants in IMSA history. Combined with a five-speed Weismann transaxle and sophisticated suspension, chassis 8803 became a proven race winner during Nissan’s dominant 1988 and 1989 campaigns.
During its factory career, chassis 8803 competed as car #84, scoring several IMSA victories before being sold for the 1990 season. It was subsequently entered by the BFG/Miller High Life team as car #67 for the 1990 Rolex 24 at Daytona, driven by Chris Cogan, John Paul Jr. and Mauro Baldi. Although the team showed competitive pace, mechanical issues prevented a strong finish, and the car was ultimately classified 25th overall.
Today, chassis 8803 is recognised as one of the most important surviving Nissan GTP ZX-Turbos. Having enjoyed success in both factory and privateer hands, it represents a defining period in IMSA GTP history and remains a highly prized example of the innovative engineering and extraordinary performance that characterised the golden age of prototype racing.
Read more about this car’s restoration by us here.
Race History
- Built By: Electramotive Engineering as chassis 8803, one of the final factory-built GTP ZX-Turbo chassis before the arrival of the Nissan NPT-90.
- Factory Career: Competed as car #84 during the 1988 and 1989 IMSA Camel GTP Championship, driven by drivers including John Morton, Derek Daly, Geoff Brabham and Chip Robinson.
- Race Victories: Chassis 8803 scored IMSA victories at Portland (1988), Lime Rock (1989) and Watkins Glen (1989) as part of Nissan’s championship-winning campaign.
- 1990 Ownership: Entered the 1990 Rolex 24 at Daytona by the BFG/Miller High Life team as car #67.
- Daytona Drivers: Chris Cogan, John Paul Jr. and Mauro Baldi.
- Daytona Result: Retired and classified 25th overall after mechanical problems interrupted the race.
- Primary Rivals: Porsche 962, Jaguar XJR series, Toyota Eagle HF-89 and later the Nissan NPT-90.
Features
- Top Speed: Approximately 220 mph (354 km/h) depending on circuit configuration
- Series Competed In: IMSA Camel GTP Championship
- Focus: Factory-developed IMSA prototype combining high downforce with exceptional turbocharged performance
- Notable Traits: Championship-winning chassis family that helped end Porsche’s dominance in IMSA GTP
Comments
One of the best-known surviving GTP ZX-Turbo chassis, having raced in both factory Nissan colours and later privateer IMSA competition.
