NISSAN R88C CHASSIS 3

During the eighties NISMO the Nissan racing department employed March to develop their cars for Group C and GTP racing. The R88C was a development of the Paul Bentley-designed R 87 E model using the same 3 litre V-8 but with a longer wheelbase and a more refined shape. This twin-overhead camshaft, twin turbocharged engine developed nearly 800 horsepower at 0.8 bar and was later developed to 950 horsepower.

There were two works cars entered at Le Mans in 1988 and despite being heavily restricted the cars qualified well with car 23 fifteenth on the grid and car 32 in 23rd place. During the race the two NISMO R88C's gave a good account of themselves, keeping good pace with the Porsche and Jaguar works cars. One of the cars finished in a very respectable 14th while the other retired after 21 hours with engine trouble.

This particular car is chassis number 3 that qualified 15th at Le Mans but did not finish. The car was driven by Kazayoshi Hoshino, Takao Wada, and Aguri Suzuki.

Chassis 3 also raced at the 1,000 Kms of Fuji and the 1,000 Kms of Suzuka finishing 9th and 4th. For these two races the car was used with a shorter wheelbase but kept the VRH30 engine. At Suzuka the engine had an increased capacity of 3.5 litres which increased the power and competitiveness of the car.

The car spent much of it's time on display or in storage after it finished racing. Chassis 3 has recently been restored to a very high standard and is ready to race, a rare opportunity to acquire a works car in fabulous condition.

Group C Race Results:

1988

24 Hours of Le Mans, #23, Hoshino/Wada/Suzuki, DNF, Qualified 15th

1989

1,000 Kms of Fuji, Hishino, Grice, & Takahashi, 9th OA

1,000 Kms of Suzuka, Hoshino & Suzuka, 4th OA

P.O.A.