frissellerestorationbycanepadesign

photo Canepa Design

Frisselle Restoration by Canepa Design

Photos and information courtesy of Bruce Canepa

Canepa Design

www.canepa.com

1976 Brad Frisselle IMSA GT/U Championship car

In 1974, Frisselle made the decision to compete professionally. He formed a company and a racing team (Transcendental Racing) that designed, constructed, and tested a Datsun 240Z prototype for the IMSA Camel GT Series. In 1975, Brad had his first three professional victories and was awarded IMSA’s Most Improved Driver award, becoming the only man to win these coveted awards in both IMSA and the SCCA. Frisselle went on to win the IMSA GTU championship in 1976, in his team’s Datsun 240Z, scoring eight victories out of the eleven races that he entered. Brad soundly defeated the factory Datsun team as a privateer with his own team, Brad Frisselle Racing.

This car is the 1976 IMSA GT/U championship car. The chassis of this car was the first 240Z imported to the United States in 1970. The suspension was designed by Mac Tilton. Mac also built some of the specialized parts for the new suspension system. The chassis, roll cage and body were all constructed by Dave Kent with assistance from Yoshi Suzuka. Yoshi was also responsible for the design of the aerodynamics on the car. John Knepp of Electramotive built the engine. After the car was finished Trevor Harris added his expertise in the development the chassis and suspension.

The car has undergone a “no expense spared” ground up cosmetic and mechanical restoration by the team’s original crew chief Joe Cavaglieri and is in the exact configuration of the 1976 championship season.

IMSA GT/U (Grand Touring Under 2.5L)

1975 Season

Mid Ohio 2nd GTU (Pole Position)

Laguna Seca 2nd GTU

Mosport 1st GTU

Mid America 1st GTU

Talladega 1st GTU

1976 Season (IMSA GT/U Champion)

Road Atlanta 1st GTU 15 OA

Laguna Seca 2nd GTU 10 OA

Ontario 4th GTU 12 OA

Lime Rock 1st GTU 5 OA