The Nissan R390 GT1 isn’t just any race car, it's a piece of motorsport history. Built in the late '90s to take on the giants of the GT1 class, like Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, the R390 was designed to be a fierce competitor. What makes this particular car even more special is the Pennzoil livery. It’s the first time this model has appeared on our site, and the car’s custom design is definitely worth noticing.
Nissan created the R390 GT1 to challenge the dominant forces in endurance racing. Working with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), Nissan engineers developed a car that was fast, innovative, and packed with cutting-edge technology. With its striking design and a powerful V8 engine, the R390 GT1 was ready to face the long straights of Le Mans and take on the competition.
In the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans, the R390 GT1 didn’t claim overall victory, but it delivered an impressive performance, finishing in 3rd, 5th, and 6th places. These results highlighted the car’s competitive potential and helped solidify its place in motorsport history.
A unique livery and a second chance on the road
What makes this specific R390 GT1 stand out even more is its Pennzoil livery. Although Nissan never officially used this color scheme during its racing years, it’s a custom tribute to Nissan’s Super GT cars from Japan. The livery adds a special touch and gives the car a unique look, making it even more eye-catching.
The car is owned by former racing driver Érik Comas, who played a key role in giving this legendary race car a second chance. While the R390 was originally built for the track, Comas had it converted into a street-legal car, allowing it to be driven on public roads. This transformation gives the car a fresh life, allowing enthusiasts to experience it outside of just the racing world.
More about the Nissan R390 GT1
The R390 GT1 was built with performance in mind, using a lightweight carbon fiber chassis and a rear-engine layout to improve handling. Under the hood, the car is powered by a 3.5-liter V8 engine, which produces around 550 hp. With a six-speed gearbox and a design focused on high-speed stability, the R390 GT1 was made to thrive on long racing circuits like Le Mans.
While the car didn’t win at Le Mans, it showcased Nissan’s engineering skills and showed that they were serious contenders in the world of endurance racing. Today, the R390 GT1 remains one of the most iconic race cars of the late '90s, and with its new street-legal status, it continues to capture the attention of car enthusiasts everywhere.
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