#Yoshikazu Sunako

[diabolus1exmachina]

Prince Skyline 2000 GT-B

This 1967 Prince Skyline 2000GT-B has been modified as a backdated tribute of the #39 car campaigned by Yoshikazu Sunako in the 1964 Japan Grand Prix. Power is from a 2.0-liter G7 inline-six equipped with triple Weber carburetors and paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Additional features include front disc brakes, black vinyl Kameari GT bucket seats with Sabelt harnesses, bullet-style side mirrors, a push-button AM radio, Checkman steering wheel, Bilstein shocks, and black-painted RS Watanabe wheels. The right-hand drive cabin has been stripped of its carpets, door panels, and rear seats. Fixed-back bucket front seats are equipped with metal ventilation grommets and Sabelt harnesses. Custom metal floor plates have been installed, and a push-button AM radio and Jeco analog clock are mounted in the dash.

[circus-sonata]

WGP BelgianGP, 1963
Shiro Ito #26, Yoshikazu Sunako #54
YAMAHA RD56

[carsonfilm]

It was announced on January 3, 2020, racing driver Yoshikazu Sunako passed away at the age of 87. The former Prince and Nissan works driver was a pioneer during the nascent years of Japan’s motorsports scene, perhaps most known for helping kick start the legend of the Skyline.

Sunako came in second at the 1964 Japan Grand Prix driving his blue No.39 Prince Skyline 2000GT, a family saloon stretched to accommodate the straight-six engine of a Prince Gloria, and sent into battle against a purpose-built Porsche 904 Carrera GTS.

Cars on Film was lucky enough to have met and interviewed this great of Japanese racing history.