Someone Save This 1989 Nissan 300ZX IMSA Race Car

It didn't fetch a winning bid at auction, and now it's for sale again.

Photo by: Gooding & Company, By Josh Hway

By: Christopher Smith

Mar 16, 2025 at 2:00pm ET

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Rothmans and Gulf racing liveries get plenty of attention, and rightfully so. But Nissan's red-blue-white race cars are straight-up awesome, and it's hard to top the Z32 300ZX. The car featured here is one of seven built in the 1980s by Cunningham Racing and supported by Nissan. It raced in the IMSA series, and now it needs a new home. Anyone have a bunch of cash to spare?

This 1989 300ZX was part of Gooding & Company's recent Amelia Island auction but failed to secure a high bid so it's still for sale. Would-be buyers get a race car with 860 horsepower, race suspension, and all the 1980s styling you could dream of. But there's a bit more to it than that.

1989 Nissan 300ZX Turbo IMSA

Photos by: Gooding & Company, By Josh Hway

According to the auction listing, this car's racing history includes four wins in more than 45 starts from 1989 through 1992. It was then modified with a passenger seat and used as a track experience car with Cunningham Racing. It went to a private owner after that, where it was maintained in its as-raced condition. It went to the current owner in 2017, who restored it to full racing capability. Through it all, that glorious Nissan livery was kept true to form.

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The engine is a twin-turbocharged Nissan 3.0-liter V-6, running through a five-speed Cunningham Racing manual transmission. It rides on fully adjustable suspension front and rear, and it has a water-cooled braking system. Sadly, the passenger seat has been removed, but that's the price you pay for a properly vintage IMSA-spec race car.

Classic Ferrari and Porsche race cars get plenty of love, but these old Nissans have a place in our hearts, too. Here's hoping it goes to a new owner who appreciates it as much as its previous caretakers.