The Nissan R390 GT1 sits among the most compelling GT1-class machines of the late 1990s. Developed by Tom Walkinshaw Racing for Nissan Motorsports and first raced at Le Mans in 1997, it returned in 1998 as a significantly revised machine. This 1:43 scale model by Spark Model documents the car in its Test configuration ahead of the 1998 race — a specific and rarely modelled variant distinct from any of the five race-day entries.
Tom Walkinshaw's GT1 Weapon for Nissan
Tom Walkinshaw Racing designed the R390 GT1 from the ground up to contest the GT1 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Power came from a mid-mounted Nissan VRH35L twin-turbocharged V8 producing approximately 641 bhp, an engine derived from Nissan's JGTC programme. To meet FIA homologation requirements, a single road-legal R390 GT1 was also built — one of the more unusual footnotes in GT1-class regulations history. The car's aerodynamic profile, with its aggressive rear bodywork and wide haunches, made it one of the most visually distinctive GT1 prototypes of the era.
Five Cars, One Podium: Le Mans 1998
Nissan's 1998 Le Mans effort was its most substantial to date in the GT1 class. Five R390 GT1s were entered — cars numbered 30, 32, 33, 34 and 38 — each featuring revised aerodynamics and improved reliability over the 1997 specification. The result was a strong points in the overall classification: car #30, driven by Éric Hélary, Stéphane Ortelli and Aguri Suzuki, finished third overall. The remaining entries completed the race in the top 10. In a field where McLaren F1 GTR and Mercedes CLK GTR machinery was dominant, Nissan's five-car haul across the finishing positions represented a genuine achievement for Japanese GT1 endurance racing.
Spark Model in Resin at 1:43
Spark Model is the primary specialist in 1:43 resin Le Mans subjects, and this release depicts the R390 GT1 in its Test configuration — the livery used during the official pre-race test day at Le Mans prior to the 1998 race. The model is built in resin, the standard material for Spark's 1:43 range, and carries the dark blue and silver Nissan Motorsports livery with PIAA sponsorship markings. The Test variant is a configuration not reproduced by other makers at this scale, giving it archival value beyond the better-known race-day entries.
Context in the Display Cabinet
This model fits naturally alongside the individual race-number R390 GT1 entries from 1998 — cars #30, #32, #33, #34 and #38 — to form a comprehensive record of Nissan's Le Mans campaign. It also pairs well with the McLaren F1 GTR and Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR subjects from the same 1998 race, or with the Toyota GT-One TS020 from 1999 for a broader study of Japanese GT1-class involvement in late-1990s endurance racing. Collectors focused on the golden GT1 era will find it a coherent addition to any Le Mans specialist shelf.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What is the Nissan R390 GT1?
The R390 GT1 was a GT1-class endurance racer developed by Tom Walkinshaw Racing for Nissan Motorsports. It first raced at Le Mans in 1997 and returned in 1998 with significantly revised aerodynamics and improved reliability. A single road-legal homologation car was also produced.
How did Nissan perform at the 1998 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Nissan entered five R390 GT1 cars. The best result came from car #30, driven by Éric Hélary, Stéphane Ortelli and Aguri Suzuki, which finished 3rd overall. The other four entries completed the race in the top 10.
What does 'Test' refer to in this model's title?
The Test designation refers to the official pre-race test day held at Le Mans ahead of the 1998 race. It represents a specific livery or car configuration used during that session, distinct from the race-day entries.
Who makes this model and what material is it made from?
The model is produced by Spark Model, the leading specialist in 1:43 resin Le Mans subjects. It is manufactured in resin, standard for Spark's 1:43 scale range.
