I would have thought that the words of the designer himself would be enough to convince anybody, but seemingly not.

Alan T.

I'm not disagreeing with the intent of the designer. I was simply looking at the way the cars were actually built. Nor am I taking the viewpoint of the "arrogant American" and stating in any way that I feel that these cars were built for the US. And, like Lachlan, I was not trying to again open up the debate about which country it was built for. And to Alan P., I fully agree with your last line. A large percentage of the greatest cars in the world were built outside of the US.

I am re"designing" my interior, and I think I (with the priveledge of designer license) will move the hand brake to the drivers side of the tunnel! Or at least give more than a passing look at what is the object of such passionate responses.

Will

Girls,

I'm tired of the American bashing. It is non-productive, unfriendly, and it isn't funny. One does not make themselves better by putting others down.

And for God's sake, don't keep putting words in my mouth! All I did was ask you a question Alan P. Since I don't give a $hit about American cars and American car companies, I was not aware that the "new" (to us) GTO was sold previously in OZ by the subsidiary of General Motors (Holden).

The point I was trying to make was that the position the handbrake (or any other part) is due to the designer's, & manufacturer's desire for it to be there. PERIOD!! As the photo in Alfadogs first post to this thread illustrates, where the steering wheel is located DOES NOT automatically dictate where the handbrake will be.

My statement was/is not insular. I couldn't care less where the car was designed, or why the handbrake is where it is. So long as it can be reached comfortably it isn't a big deal. The difference in locations cannot be more than a few inches/centimeters. If those few inches/centimeters are a burden for anyone, then IMO that person doesn't belong behind the steering wheel (no matter which side of the car the wheel or handbrake is located).

Isn't the handbrake on a 350Z on the LEFT side of the trans tunnel? Does that mean it was designed in the USA?

This obsession with "WHY?" over, and over, and over; months (a year now?) after we learned of Matsuo's desires, and Nissan decision to do it differently that I find amazing. It's over. We know. WE GET IT! What else about this NIT is there to pick over? The difference in location is a matter of a few inches/cm's. IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL!

NOTE: I've editted my post to remove information that was in error.

Fat Americans?

It is not like the US has the market cornered......

www.show.scot.nhs.uk/SEHD/publications/sh5/sh5v1b.pdf

One does not make themselves better by putting others down.

Tired of ALL the bashing. Can't we all just get along? PLEASE??!!??!!

Lets bash a Yugo or Geo Metro not each other OKAY!!!!!

Chris

Bash dents, not people or their ideas.

Will

As the photo in Alfadogs first post to this thread illustrates, where the steering wheel is located DOES NOT automatically dictate where the handbrake will be.

But I see no reason as to why the handbrake would be there. That's why I started the thread, because I'm curious as to why a car that was only LHD would have the handbrake in a unconventional position. Perhaps Alan's "bashing" wasn't so silly... perhaps Pontiac's anthropometrics showed that it would actually be easier for larger sized people to reach the handbrake if it were on the other side? Something to think about...

This obsession with "WHY?" over, and over, and over; months (a year now?) after we learned of Matsuo's desires, and Nissan decision to do it differently that I find amazing.

Perhaps you need to change your avatar - "no why-ning either!". Maybe to you it's not a big deal, but I am genuinely interested. I'm not talking about the Z, I'm talking about other cars! The placement of every component in a car I would have thought was backed up by reason. I am certain there is a reason and I'm sorry if you don't care, but I do!!

Bash dents, not people or their ideas.

Will

Or their opinions.

Perhaps you need to change your avatar - "no why-ning either!". Maybe to you it's not a big deal, but I am genuinely interested.

Nice one Alfadog,

"No why-ning"

That can be one of the 'rules' on www.classiczcarl.com

Seriously though, anyone who thinks I'm poking fun at oversized Americans just for spite really ought to go back and look at the old 'Interior Ergonomics' thread and see some of the comments on there about Handbrake lever positioning. There are serious ergonomic ramifications for body size!

I tell you what, I really don't get all this 'no bashing' stuff when all this 'no whining' crap is going on at the same time. If that's not bashing then what is?

Makes me feel like Yusuf Islam :bandit:

Isn't the handbrake on a 350Z on the LEFT side of the trans tunnel? Does that mean it was designed in the USA?

Yes!

Or for the USA.

Note to self:

I must try to remember:

repeats in low voice:

"An American car, made in Japan.....

An American car, made in Japan.....

An American car, made in Japan.....

An American car, made in Japan.....

An American car, made in Japan....."

etc