Commemorating the Z that changed racing forever.
When the Datsun 240Z was introduced in the US in 1970, the car faced stiff competition from the likes of British and German sports cars. European sports cars had dominated the SCCA’s “Two-Five Challenge” class until Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) won the first of two SCCA National Championships at Road America in 1971 with a 240Z. The championship win marked the first time in history that a Japanese production racer beat the champions from Germany and England in head-to-head competition. The two championship wins demonstrated the 240Z’s performance capability and solidified the Z-car as an iconic sports car.
Driven by John Morton, the #46 championship car was clad in the renowned red, white, and blue BRE livery designed by Peter Brock. To pay tribute to the championships won by BRE with the 240Z, Nissan of North America collaborated with BRE to produce the BRE 370. Based on a modified 2010 NISMO 370Z Coupe, the car’s livery was designed by Peter Brock, owner of BRE. Brock worked alongside painters to ensure the car met his standards, and produced an even more aggressive livery.
During a special BRE reunion dinner at the Classic Motorsports Mitty at Road Atlanta, the BRE 370Z was unveiled and displayed alongside a 40th Anniversary Edition 370Z and famous BRE racecars. Many of the original BRE team including Brock and Morton were in attendance. Led by Brock in the BRE 370Z, the cars were then driven for numerous celebration laps.
The 40th Anniversary Edition displayed alongside the BRE 370Z celebrated the introduction of the 240Z in the US. The car begins as a 370Z Coupe Touring model equipped with the Sport Package and manual transmission. Along with the front and rear spoilers, Nissan Sport Brakes, 19-inch Rays forged aluminum alloy wheels, and viscous limited-slip differential, the 40th Anniversary Edition also comes with a “40th Graphite” exterior paint and red leather-appointed interior. Optionally numerous interior and exterior 40th Anniversary Edition options are also available. Only 1,000 examples will be available in the US.
Doing double duty as both a show car and a racecar, the BRE 370Z is built to SCCA T2 racecar regulations and will be raced later in the year. The BRE 370Z will also be displayed at ZCon 2010 in Nashville from July 28th to August 1st, along with other Z Club events around the US.
[Source: Nissan]
