Published March 29, 2024 | Last update May 21, 2026 | 23 models online
Just as many other manufacturers, Nissan wanted to play a part in Motorsport history. The Japanese are excellent engine builders but had less experience in development and manufacturing of racing cars. So when they entered group C racing in the early 1980’s they used chassis built by March and Lola. In this blog I will give an overview of the many cars that Nissan raced in Group C and IMSA GTP and that I have a 1/43 scale model car.
1983 Fuji 1000 km, Nissan Silvia Turbo C
When Group C started, the Japanese manufacturers were very interested, but didn’t have real works teams so they supported a number of entrants with engine technology. This “Sylvia Turbo C” was entered by Hoshino Racing and in fact a March 83G chassis equipped with a 4-cylinder turbo engine.
Hoshino Racing #23: Kazuyoshi Hoshino (J) / Akira Hagiwara (J)
Results: Start-grid 7th / time 1:13.290 / race DNF engine – 198 laps
Nissan Silvia Turbo C – Group C: Powered by 2.1 liter Nissan LZ20B straight-4 turbo, approx. 600 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 940 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. March 83G #05
- EBBRO 44789 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
1983 Fuji 1000 km, Nissan Fairlady Z Turbo C
In 1983 and 1984, Central 20 Racing Team also competed with support from Nissan. Central 20 relied on the Japanese built LM chassis with the same 4-cylinder Nissan engine as the Silvia turbo C.
Central 20 Racing Team #20: Haruhito Yanagida (J) / Takao Wada (J) / Hiroshi Tomioka (J)
Results: race 3rd
Nissan Fairlady Z turbo C – Group C1. Powered by 2.1 liter Nissan LZ20B straight-4 turbo, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 920 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. LM 03C #unknown
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 104316 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #007 Coca-Cola
1984 Fuji 500 km, Nissan Fairlady Z Turbo C
In 1983 and 1984, Central 20 Racing Team also competed with support from Nissan. Central 20 relied on the Japanese built LM chassis with the same 4-cylinder Nissan engine as the Silvia turbo C.
Central 20 Racing Team #20: Haruhito Yanagida (J) / Takao Wada (J)
Results: race 3rd
Nissan Fairlady Z turbo C – Group C1. Powered by 2.1 liter Nissan LZ20B straight-4 turbo, approx. 600 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 920 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. LM 03C #unknown
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 104317 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #109 Canon / #007 Coca-Cola
1985 Fuji 1000 km, Nissan 85RV
The 1000 km race was shortened because of heavy rain and was won by the Hoshino entered March 85G with Nissan V6 turbo engine. The winner only completed 273 km.
Hoshino Racing #28: Kazuyoshi Hoshino (J) / Akira Hagiwara (J) / Keiji Matsumoto (J)
Results: Start-grid 3rd / time 1:16.920 / race 1st – 62 laps
Nissan R85V – Group C1: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30T/C V6 90º twin turbo, approx 650 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 940 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. March 85G #05
- EBBRO 44506 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Only appears in this collection
GTP ZX-Turbo
1985 IMSA Columbus 500 km, Nissan GTP ZX-T
The IMSA GTP is comparable with the European Group C class, but there was a larger diversity of makes and models. This Lola (T810) built Nissan GTP ZX-T made its debut in 1985. The car is quite similar to that in the Japanese Championship.
Electramotive Engineering #83: Tony Adamowicz (USA) / Don Devendorf (USA)
Results: Start-grid 15th / race DNF – 86 laps
Nissan GTP ZX-T – IMSA GTP: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30T/C V6 90º twin turbo, approx. 650 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T810 #HU01
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 09435 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #117 Classic Lola
1985 Fuji 1000 km, Nissan GTP ZX-T
Central 20 saw that their LM 03C couldn’t compete with the mighty Porsches and choose a different solution. The LM was replaced by a Lola T810 chassis that was developed for IMSA GTP, but could be used in Group C as well. The 4-cylinder engines were traded for a 3.0 V6 turbo engine. The conditions were extreme; After 10 laps 15 teams already had withdrawn because of the torrential rain. Only the Japanese teams continued, but in the end only a quarter of the planned distance was covered
Central 20 Racing Team #30: Haruhito Yanagida (J) / Aguri Suzuki (J)
Results: Start-grid 15th / time 1:20.580 / race 8th – 59 laps
Nissan GTP ZX-T – Group C1. Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30T/C V6 90º twin turbo, approx 650 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T810 #HU03
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 09436 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #109 Canon / #007 Coca-Cola / #117 Classic Lola
1986 Fuji 1000 km, Nissan GTP ZX-T
The Central 20 entry was in the yellow and black of Taka-Q this year.
Central 20 Racing Team #20: Haruhito Yanagida (J) / Takamasa Hakagawa (J)
Results: Start-grid 9th / time 1:40.400 / race 6th – 212 laps
Nissan GTP ZX-T – Group C / LD1: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30T/C V6 90º twin turbo, approx 650 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T810 #HU03
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 09438 (resin)
- Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #117 Classic Lola
1986 Miami IMSA, Nissan GTP ZX-T
The IMSA GTP is comparable with the European / Japanese Group C category, but there was a larger diversity of makes and models. This Lola built Nissan GTP ZX-T made its debut in 1985 and would be at its best in 1988 in the hands of Geoff Brabham. In Miami 1986, it finished only 10th.
Electramotive Engineering #83: Tony Adamowicz (USA) / Elliot Forbes-Robinson(USA)
Results: Start-grid 19th / time 1:20.698 / race 10th – 119 laps
Nissan GTP ZX-T – IMSA GTP: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30T/C V6 90º twin turbo, approx. 650 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T810 #HU05
- TRUE SCALE MINIATURES TSM 09437 (resin)
- Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #117 Classic Lola
March – Nissan
1986 Le Mans 24h, Nissan R85V and R86V
The Nissan GTP ZX-T was used in the IMSA, but for the world championship and Le Mans, Nissan still used March chassis. In Le Mans 1986 two cars were entered by Nissan Motorsport.
Nissan Motorsport #23: Kazuyoshi Hoshino (J) / Keiji Matsumoto (J) / Aguri Suzuki (J)
Results: Start-grid 24th / time 3:41.490 / race DNF gearbox – 64 laps
Nissan R86V – Group C1: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30T/C V6 90º twin turbo, approx. 650 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 910 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. March 86G #05
Nissan Motorsport #32: James Weaver (J) / Masahiro Hasemi (J) / Takao Wada (J)
Results: Start-grid 33rd / time 3:47.350 / race 16th – 285 laps / 10th Group C1
Nissan R85V – Group C1: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30T/C V6 90º twin turbo, approx. 650 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 910 kg. Aluminium monocoque, chassisnr. March 85G #08
- SPARK S3580 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- EBBRO 44508 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
1988 Le Mans 24h, Nissan R88C
Nissan Motorsport used March 87G chassis in 1988. The 3.0 liter V6 engines made place for V8 engines that deliver over 700 hp in race trim but still didn’t bring the successes hoped for.
Nissan Motorsport #23: Kazuyoshi Hoshino (J) / Takao Wada (J) / Aguri Suzuki (J)
Results: Start-grid 15th / time 3:29.440 / race DNF engine – 286 laps
Nissan Motorsport #32: Allan Grice (AUS) / Win Percy (GB) / Mike Wilds (GB)
Results: Start-grid 23rd / time 3:34.660/ race 14th – 344 laps / 13th Group C1
Nissan R88C – Group C1: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VRH30T V8 90º twin turbo, approx 700 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnrs. March 87G #03 & March 87G #02
- EBBRO 43680 & 43681 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
1989 Fuji 500 km, Nissan R88C
In 1989 Nissan switched from March built Group C cars to Lola, also their supplier for the IMSA GTP. The early races in the Fuji Long Distance Series they still used the R88C. The car using an additional front spoiler was quite fast, but not reliable enough. It didn’t finish due to electrical problems, but covered enough distance to be classified 8th.
Nissan Motorsports #24: Masahiro Hasemi (J) / Anders Olofsson (S)
Results: Start-grid 15th / time 1:24.870 / race DNF, classified 8th electrics – 105 laps
Nissan R88C – Group C1: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VRH30T V8 90º twin turbo, approx 700 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 900 kg. Aluminum monocoque, chassisnr. March 87G #05
- EBBRO 44072 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
Lola – Nissan
1989 Le Mans 24h, Nissan R89C
The R89C Nissans were Lola T89/10 chassis that used a 3.5 liter V8 twin turbo engine. Nissan entered no less than 3 cars, but all of them retired. The #23 and #25 both with engine related problems, the #24 crashed after only 5 laps.
Nissan Motorsport #23: Masahiro Hasemi (J) / Kazuyoshi Hoshino (J) / Toshio Suzuki (J)
Results: Start-grid 19th / time 3:26.950 / race DNF engine – 167 laps
Nissan Motorsport #25: Arie Luyendijk (NL) / Geoff Brabham (AUS) / Chip Robinson (USA)
Results: Start-grid 15th / time 3:25.380 / race DNF oil loss – 250 laps
Nissan R89C – Group C1: Powered by 3.5 liter Nissan VRH35T V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 720 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. Lola T89/10 #03 & Lola T89/10 #02
- Q-MODEL Streamline QMC001 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- IXO Classic Le Mans & GT Cars LMC062 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 3 STARS | Quality details: 3 STARS | Estimated value: 2 STARS
- Both also appear in #117 Classic Lola
1990 Le Mans 24h, Nissan R89C
This 1989 factory car was driven by the Japanese Le Mans team in 1990 but failed to finish. The factory used the much more modern R90CK.
Team Le Mans #85: Takao Wada (J) / Anders Olofsson (S) / Maurizio Sandro Sala (E)
Results: Start-grid 24th / time 3:43.400 / race DNF ignition – 183 laps
Nissan R89C – Group C1: Powered by 3.5 liter Nissan VRH35T V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 720 hp. Dunlop tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. Lola T89/10 #03
- Q-MODEL Streamline QMC004 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #117 Classic Lola
1990 Le Mans 24h, Nissan R90CK
1990 Was the year of Nissan’s bis assault on Le Mans, no less than 5 factory cars entered the race; four R90CK and one R90CP with different aerodynamics. Mark Blundell went out on qualifiers and high turbo pressure. The engine developed nearly 1100 hp and luckily stayed in one piece during his flying lap. He drove it to pole position, six seconds faster than the 2nd placed Porsche 962. Other Nissans qualified 3rd and 5th. But Le Mans isn’t about one lap, it’s the pinnacle of endurance racing. The R90CP with all Japanese crew managed 5th.
Nissan Motorsports #24: Mark Blundell (GB) / Gianfranco Brancatelli (I) / Julian Bailey (GB)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 3:27.020 / race DNF transmission – 142 laps
Nissan Motorsports #84: Bob Earl (USA) / Michael Roe (IRO) / Steve Millen (NZ)
Results: Start-grid 25th / time 3:44.280 / race 17th – 311 laps
Nissan R90CK – Group C1: Powered by 3.5 liter Nissan VRH35Z V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 720 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnrs. Lola T90/10 #03 & T90/10 #02
- Q-MODEL Streamline QMC021 & QMC026 (diecast)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Both also appear in #117 Classic Lola
1992 Winning!
1992 Daytona 24h, Nissan R91CP
Nissan was more successful in IMSA GTP than in Le Mans. In 1992 they won the Daytona 24-hour race with an all Japanese driver team.
Nissan Motorsports #23: Masahiro Hasemi (J) / Kazuyoshi Hoshino (J) / Toshyo Suzuki (J)
Results: Start-grid 2nd / time 1:36.468 / race 1st – 762 laps
Nissan R91CP – IMSA GTP: Powered by 3.5 liter Nissan VRH35Z V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 720 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T90/10 #unknown
- EBBRO 43529 (diecast
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #117 Classic Lola
1992 Suzuka 500 km, Nissan R92CP
1992 Was a good year for Nissan because it won the Suzuka race but also the Japanese group C championship with their ’92 car, still based on the Lola T90/10.
Nissan Motorsports #24: Masahiro Hasemi (J) / Masahiko Kageyama (J) / Jeff Krosnoff (USA)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 1:45.456 / race 1st – 86 laps
Nissan R92CP – Group C1: Powered by 3.5 liter Nissan VRH35Z V8 90º twin turbo, approx. 720 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T90/10 #unknown
- EBBRO 43531 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Also appears in #117 Classic Lola
End of an era
1992 Nissan P35
Nissan followed the trend to built 3.5 liter group C cars to replace the turbo-versions. Toyota, Peugeot, Mercedes and Jaguars already had such cars. Nissan developed two cars; the NP35 for Group C and the P35 for the IMSA GTP rules. The Nissan NP35 raced at Mine once at was far too slow because it lacked power from its new V12 engine, probably 100 hp less than the 620 hp claimed. So instead of being used in 1993, it was moved to the museum and the project had ended. The IMSA version, the P35’s were tested but never raced. It was the end of Nissan’s involvement in Group C and GTP but they would return to Le Mans in a few years.
Nissan Motorsports #83.
Results: test only
Nissan P35 – Group C: Powered by 3.5 liter Nissan V12, approx. 520 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 750 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. P35 #01
- EBBRO 44483 (resin)
- Overall rating: 4 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 3 STARS
- Only appears in this collection
1993 Suzuka 1000km, Nissan R93CK
After Nissan’s involvement in Group C and IMSA ended, they supported some customer teams. FromA Racing (Nova Engineering) entered this car for Mauro Martini and Heinz-Harald Frentzen who finished 2nd in this race for the All Japan Endurance Championship.
FromA Racing #27: Mauro Martini (I) / Heinz-Harald Frentzen (D)
Results: Start-grid 1st / time 1:53.640 / race 2nd – 169 laps
Nissan R93CK – Group C1: Powered by 3.5 liter Nissan VRH35Z V8 90º twin turbo, approx 700 hp. Bridgestone tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Lola T90/10 #07
- HPI 8873 (resin)
- Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #117 Classic Lola
1993 IMSA championship, Nissan NPT-90
The American branch of Nissan Motorsport created this IMSA spec NPT-90. It has been used by the US Nissan team in 1990 and 1991 and then sold to Gianpiero Moretti. Moretti and Derek Bell drove it in the 1993 IMSA season. They had no chance against the Eagle-Toyota, but still scored some good results such as 3rd place at Mid-Ohio.
Momo #30: Gianpierro Moretti (I) / Derek Bell (GB)
Results: Start-grid 4th / time unknown / race 3rd – 93 laps
Nissan NPT-90 – IMSA GTP: Powered by 3.0 liter Nissan VG30-GTP V6 60º twin turbo, approx 650 hp. Goodyear tires. Weight 900 kg. Carbon fibre monocoque, chassisnr. Nissan Power Technology #90-10
- SPARK S3884 (resin)
- Overall rating: 5 STARS | Quality details: 4 STARS | Estimated value: 4 STARS
- Also appears in #122 Derek Bell / #tbd Momo
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