1978 Nissan 280Z Vintage Race Car Local Winner Nitrous Oxide L28 Monster Motor

1978 Nissan 280ZX  

Vintage Race Car

Barn Find / Shop Find

Presented for your consideration. the opportunity to acquire an immediately usable. fun vintage race car. Log books are not present though we are searching for information.  Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

If you were attending auto races in the Southern California area 20 years ago. you likely saw this car on the track winning races in it's class.   Our Chief inspector met a man who had raced his Porsche against this car. and he reported having rarely seen more than the taillights of this Z at Willow Springs and Laguna Seca.

From wikipedia

The Z was very successful in racing in the 1970s: Bob Sharp Racing in the eastern US with firstElliot Forbes-Robinson and laterPaul Newman as some of his drivers; and Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) in the western US withJohn Morton driving a Datsun 510 and 240Z (#46). Other drivers. such as Clearwater Florida (and later Maryland) racer Don Kearney had much success with theZ-car between 1970 and 1978. The Z is also credited as a catalyst for the import performance parts industry. Nissan also supported and was associated withBob Bondurant's race driving school from its inception.

Jack Penna. famous for his role in the heavy metal band White Eagle. was also locally famous for his Aerotech Racing shop in Buena Park Ca. where he built and tuned his Datsun 240Z and Nissan 280Z race cars.

This is the final Aerotech Racing 280Z.  Still adorned with Jack's number 66 and all of it's sponsor decals. Jack Penna's beloved 280Z was put away by his partner German Centeno after Jack's untimely death.

The car is a time capsule.  A true barn find.  We have before and after photos that we are happy to share.  The paint was carefully polished with authenticity and preservation in mind.  As the pictures show. the meticulous cleaning revealed the still beautiful Red White and Blue paint scheme of a Nissan factory backed racer.

She's sporting a fresh tune. new battery and fuel system clean out. After 15 odd years of indoor storage. Jack's Z still shines.  True to it's period. this vintage racer is equally appealing to the eye and the seat of the pants. And no one has had the nerve to hit the squeeze. Yet.

In preparation for racing. this 280Z was lightened and strengthened for road course duty including the following:

Major period correct vintage suspension mods are in place

Full race engine

Nitrous Oxide

Roll bar assembly

Aft mounted battery

Minimal dash and gauges

Fuel tank

3 piece SSR GP super lightweight racing wheels

Fender flares

Lightweight racing seats

Period safety harnesses

Pinned fiberglass hood

Lightweight gutted doors remain in place

All glass in good condition. Door glass present and operable

Momo steering wheel

4 wheel disc brakes with cross drilled rotors

Headers

4 speed close ratio trans

Electric radiator fan

You tube tour here https://www. youtube. com/watch?v=md3sV3gHQ30

Race Car - Bill of Sale will be provided. No title on hand.

Not recommended for street driving. very low - you will need to arrange shipping or Bring A Trailer!

Always looking for pre 1975 Muscle cars. Volvo P1800. Metropolitan. Alfa Romeo. Porsche 911. 914 240Z 260Z 280Z. older Cadillac. Camaro. Mustang. Vintage race cars. older Jaguars. British sports cars. kit cars. project cars. 1948-1986 interesting cars.  

for your consideration……. one vintage race rocket.  this is a 1978 nissan (datsun) 280z race rocket.  the true mystique surrounding this car lies in its clouded history.  the car is rumored to have ties with multiple forms of racing. wears nissan factory colors. was state of the art for its time. ………. but there is little documentation on the car.  so if you are a super sleuth. perhaps this is your chance to unearth the stories that this car would love to be able to tell us.  

let's take a step back……. to the beginning.  famous heavy metal guitarist. jack pemma……. from the rock group. white eagle. not only played guitar fast………. but lived in the fast lane……. and drove fast cars.  he had a number of nissan race vehicles. and supposedly had ties to the nissan factory.    after his other datsun race vehicles.  jack wanted to build his ultimate z race car……. and this is what was offered here today.  jack was able to race his car before he passed away about 15 years ago.  the car has been sitting in storage ever since.  

jack raced the car for centeno/pemma racing. and aerotech racing.  he really spent lots of time. effort and money to make this the ultimate z car.  the car was modified many times and improved over and over.  i spoke to a porsche racing gentleman who stated he ran against the car numerous times.  he said some days his race 911 turbo would take the day. but others. there was no catching jack.  his recounted the car racing at ontario. willow springs. and a number of famous tracks throughout the west coast.  

we obtained the car. and have changed little. in order to keep the vintage feel of the car true to the era in which it raced.  we've touched up some paint. and replaced the seats. but the rest is just as jack would have wanted it to remain.  

the list of improvements is extensive. and frankly. i still don't know all the upgrades that the car keeps showing us.  the engine is a highly built L28. which was built specifically to take the load of the huge NOS bottle in the back of the car.  so i assume everything inside the engine is forged.  i've been told the car had been professionally dyno'd many times. and made impressive power.  hearing and driving the car ……. i believe it……. and i don't have the guts to even squeeze the NOS trigger.

trans was replaced awhile ago. and seems fine. as well as a good rear end.  seems like a tight running and driving car.  we are hoping to take it onto the track. just to sort it out a bit.  

pinned fiberglass hood. lightweight fiberglass fenders and front spoiler.  aero headlight covers. ssr super lightweight 17” wheels. rear spoiler. dual racing harnesses. racing seats. push button start. squeeze triggered from gas pedal. high output fuel pump. performance suspension upgrades. roll cage. side skirts. gutted interior. front and rear strut tower braces and on. and on…….

bottom line……. if you like z's………. this is the one to have.  it appears to me. that the car was being prepared for an ultimate speed run……. perhaps the Copperstate or the like.  the huge NOS bottle was there for squeezing hard and for a long time.  

the paint is beautiful and has only been touched up in places.  the car still wears plenty of battle scars. but is in amazing condition for an original vintage racer of this period.  

in addition. although not currently registered. the car was last street licensed in California in 1999   there are no penalties on the car.   lien sale paperwork.  unique opportunity………. and if you do your research and are able to uncover its historical past. you may have an even more valuable investment on your hands.  we can assist with international shipping.  feel free to ask any questions. and be sure to view the youtube video we have on the car.  happy bidding.

Always looking for pre 1975 Muscle cars. Volvo P1800. Metropolitan. Alfa Romeo. Porsche 911. 914 240Z 260Z 280Z. older Cadillac. Camaro. Mustang. Vintage race cars. older Jaguars. British sports cars. kit cars. project cars. 1948-1986 interesting cars.

Also published at eBay.com

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