Number 83

For ten years from the mid-eighties through the early nineties the IMSA (International Motor Sports Association) was one of the strongest, highly entertaining sports car racing series in the world. It was also one of the most competitive from a manufacturer's standpoint with the GTP class (Grand Touring Prototype) boasting a lineup consisting of teams representing Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Chevrolet, Jaguar, Porsche, Lola, Ford, and even Buick.

During practice or qualifying for the Twenty-Four Hours of Daytona Sam and I liked to stand on the outside of the International Horseshoe . The GTP cars would bomb around the NASCRAP banking from the back straight chicane full tilt at well over 200 mph. Then they'd shut it down take the left at turn one in probably second gear and make the run towards the Horseshoe, straight at us. On the short chute from turn one they'd reach probably 140 mph in the blink of an eye. But the real eye-opener was the exit of the Horseshoe.

Once the corner was squared off and they were banging through the gearbox (with the twin turbochargers skittering and screeching crazily) toward the infield kink, the GTP cars would go away from you so quickly that your eyes would not be able to focus on them. They'd seriously outrun your eyeballs ability to freaking keep up with them. Especially the Number 83 Nissan. It was amazing.

This particular example is owned by the Nissan Corp. and is currently on display at The Lane Motor Museum with several other important Nissan racing machines. Alas, it is only a replicated mock-up. Trust me, I crawled under it.....

But, if you'd like to be better acquainted with old Number 83 I happen to know that she has been completely restored and is for sale HERE for a cool $895,000 USD. Boy that would make a helluva Christmas in July present, wouldn't it?