Nissan R381
Encyclopedia
The Nissan R381 was a racing car developed by Nissan Motors
in 1968 for use in the Japanese Grand Prix
. It was the successor to the Nissan R380-II, which had been originally developed by the Prince Motor Company
series in North America that ran under the new Group 7
classification, the new R381 would become a much more powerful and faster car in comparison to the previous model.
Knowing that the original Prince GR8 Straight-6 would not be powerful enough, Nissan planned to use a new Prince
-built V12. However the engines would not be completed in time (partially due to this being the first time Nissan or Prince had constructed a V12), so the company turned to a Chevrolet
5.5L V8 which produced nearly 450 hp, twice the amount of the Prince GR8. Also borrowing from CanAm, most notably Chaparral, large rear wings were placed on the new design. These dual wings placed side by side could be driven by hydraulics that would move either the left or right wing up or down in order to increase cornering ability.
For bodywork, the R381 was initially an evolution of the R380's coupe design. The rear tail was lengthened and the engine cover made flat in order to increase rear downforce in conjunction with the rear wing. The back of the car was also made flat, with a Kamm tail effect. However, upon becoming aware of the new Toyota 7
car which also ran in Group 7 rules, Nissan chose to cut the roof of the R381 off. A thin windshield would be all that remained, while a tiny rollbar would be placed on the engine cover.
, three R381s fought alongside three older R380-IIs as well as three of the new Toyota 7s. Several Porsches would also make up the field. The entire Nissan contingent would perform well, taking five of the top six spots, with a Porsche 910
taking second. The R381 of Moto Kitano would take the race win.
Following the Japanese Grand Prix, the R381 would be replaced by the newer R382
, which featured an entirely Nissan-built engine. In 2005, Nismo
would restore an R381 and now currently runs it in exhibition events along with the rest of the R380 series.
Nissan Motors
, usually shortened to Nissan , is a multinational automaker headquartered in Japan. It was a core member of the Nissan Group, but has become more independent after its restructuring under Carlos Ghosn ....
in 1968 for use in the Japanese Grand Prix
Japanese Grand Prix
The is a race in the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship. Traditionally one of the last, if not the last race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix has been the venue for many title-deciding races, with 13 World Champions being crowned over the 27 World Championship Japanese...
. It was the successor to the Nissan R380-II, which had been originally developed by the Prince Motor Company
Prince Motor Company
Prince Motor Company was a Japanese automobile manufacturer from 1952 until its merger with Nissan in 1966. Prince began as the Tachikawa Aircraft Company, a producer of the famous Japanese Zero fighter planes used in WWII...
Development
Following the defeat of the Nissan R380-II at the 1967 running of the Japanese Grand Prix, Nissan set about developing an improved car for the 1968 event. Aware of the new CanAmCanAm
The Canadian-American Challenge Cup or Can-Am, was an SCCA/CASC sports car racing series from 1966 to 1986.-History:Can-Am started out as a race series for Group 7 sports racers with two races in Canada and four races in the United States of America . The series was initially sponsored by Johnson...
series in North America that ran under the new Group 7
Group 7
Group 7 may refer to:*Group 7 element, chemical element classification*Group 7 Rugby League, rugby league competition in New South Wales, Australia*Group 7 , FIA classification for Can-Am sports car racing...
classification, the new R381 would become a much more powerful and faster car in comparison to the previous model.
Knowing that the original Prince GR8 Straight-6 would not be powerful enough, Nissan planned to use a new Prince
Prince Motor Company
Prince Motor Company was a Japanese automobile manufacturer from 1952 until its merger with Nissan in 1966. Prince began as the Tachikawa Aircraft Company, a producer of the famous Japanese Zero fighter planes used in WWII...
-built V12. However the engines would not be completed in time (partially due to this being the first time Nissan or Prince had constructed a V12), so the company turned to a Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
5.5L V8 which produced nearly 450 hp, twice the amount of the Prince GR8. Also borrowing from CanAm, most notably Chaparral, large rear wings were placed on the new design. These dual wings placed side by side could be driven by hydraulics that would move either the left or right wing up or down in order to increase cornering ability.
For bodywork, the R381 was initially an evolution of the R380's coupe design. The rear tail was lengthened and the engine cover made flat in order to increase rear downforce in conjunction with the rear wing. The back of the car was also made flat, with a Kamm tail effect. However, upon becoming aware of the new Toyota 7
Toyota 7
The Toyota 7 was a racing car developed by Toyota Motor Company and subsidiary Yamaha Motor Corporation. Designed primarily for use in the Japanese Grand Prix, the cars were Toyota's first custom-built racing car, competing under the FIA's Group 7 rules, similar to the Can Am series in North...
car which also ran in Group 7 rules, Nissan chose to cut the roof of the R381 off. A thin windshield would be all that remained, while a tiny rollbar would be placed on the engine cover.
Racing history
Debuting at the fourth Japanese Grand PrixJapanese Grand Prix
The is a race in the calendar of the FIA Formula One World Championship. Traditionally one of the last, if not the last race of the season, the Japanese Grand Prix has been the venue for many title-deciding races, with 13 World Champions being crowned over the 27 World Championship Japanese...
, three R381s fought alongside three older R380-IIs as well as three of the new Toyota 7s. Several Porsches would also make up the field. The entire Nissan contingent would perform well, taking five of the top six spots, with a Porsche 910
Porsche 910
The Porsche 910 or Carrera 10 was a race car from Porsche, based upon the Porsche 906. 15 were produced and entered in 1966 and 1967. The factory name for the 910 was the 906/10. The 910 was considered the next sequence in the 906 line...
taking second. The R381 of Moto Kitano would take the race win.
Following the Japanese Grand Prix, the R381 would be replaced by the newer R382
Nissan R382
The Nissan R382 was a racing car built in 1969 by Nissan Motors for competition in the Japanese Grand Prix. Built to the Group 7 motorsports formula, the car featured Nissan's first V12 engine...
, which featured an entirely Nissan-built engine. In 2005, Nismo
Nismo
Nismo is the motorsports and performance division of Nissan Motor Company. Formed in 1984 as a result of a merger of two motorsport departments, Nismo cars have participated in JSPC, Formula Nippon, JTCC, 24 Hours of Le Mans and 24 Hours of Daytona...
would restore an R381 and now currently runs it in exhibition events along with the rest of the R380 series.