How Datsun's Z car became a production racing legend

[jmark]

Great read.

http://www.theautochannel.com/publications/magazines/sci/aug-sept-97/datsun.frame

[xray]

Wow....excellent stuff! I'm going to print out a copy and stash it with my Z folder....

My Fave quote from Mr. K (emphasis mine):

"Most people, even today, believe that the German designer, Goertz, designed the Z car, but I actually created the car.I really liked the XKE because it was so slim and aerodynamic and had good legroom. I told Tokyo, "This is the kind of car we should build for America." I think today's Z is too fat. I really don't like a fat car (laughter). I like a slim car. "

Thanks!

Steve

[hls30.com]

Don't blink lest ye miss the second article on the Z hidden there!

http://www.theautochannel.com/publications/magazines/sci/aug-sept-97/waywewere.frame

Will

[Ron Carter]

Good stuff,

I read this several years ago.

Les Cannaday is a good friend of mine and has recounted this roundtable to me many times. It is good stuff. How I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall.

[MikeW]

Both this and the link that Will posted were take from this magazine:

Sports Car International Aug/Sept 1997

Only the browser window title shows the reference to the magazine.

[jmark]

I heard most of this last year at the Runoffs Nissan party. Peter Brock was the guest speaker.

[jbao]

good stuff

[HS30-H]

"......but I actually created the car."

I've seen this comment from Katayama in other articles, and I have to say that I have always found it breathtakingly gauche and ................... well, disappointing to say the least.

First of all it is rather a long way from the truth, and secondly it amounts to a fairly big smack in the face for the team(s) of people who really can claim to be the 'hands on' people involved in the concept, design, engineering and production of the cars, let alone the company that actually employed them all.

Alan T.