VIN: the works Nissan R390 Long Tail chassis R6

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History of chassis R6

After a disappointing display at the 1997 Le Mans 24 Hours, Nissan returned for 1998 with the much improved R390 Long Tail.

The factory team ran three brand new cars while Nova Engineering attended with an updated version of the previous year’s machine.

In Pre-Qualifying and the race, chassis R6 was driven by ex-F1 drivers Erik Comas, Jan Lammers and Andrea Montermini.

However, although the reconfigured R390 was a definite step up in performance and reliability, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Toyota now possessed next generation GT1 machines that were little more than thinly veiled prototypes.

The works R390 Long Tails attended Pre-Qualifying in a plain blue livery. R6 went quickest of the trio; it finished sixth fastest ahead of the sister cars in seventh (R8) and eighth (R7).

At the 24 Hour race five weeks later, the works cars wore a new blue and white chequered livery while the Nova entry was painted green and silver. R6 appeared with backing from Nissan partners, Unisia Jecs and Zexel.

Unlike 1997’s Le Mans debacle, where all three cars were badly affected by re-routed exhausts which melted the solder holding the gearbox oil cooler together, the 1998 R390s generally proved a model of reliability.

They went on to finish third (R7), fifth (R8), sixth (R6) and tenth (R1).

After its sixth place finish, R6 was shipped to Japan for display in Nissan’s Heritage Collection.

Notable History

Light Blue Nissan livery

03/05/1998 IND Le Mans Pre-Qualifying (E. Comas / J. Lammers / A. Montermini) 6th oa, 6th GT1 class (#31)

Light Blue & White Unisia Jecs livery

07/06/1998 IND Le Mans 24 Hours (J. Lammers / E. Comas / A. Montermini) 6th oa, 6th GT1 class (#31)

Nissan Heritage Collection

Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Nissan - https://www.nissan-global.com