12-01-2008 02:04 AM

In a ceremony last month, Yutaka Katayama has finally been inducted to the Japan Automotive Hall of Fame at the age of 99. Known as Mr. K to his fans, he presided over Nissan USA during its formative years in the 60s and 70s, largely responsible for making it the car company that it is today. Katayama is also called the father of the Z-car for his involvement in developing a sports car for the US market that became the Datsun 240Z. He is also helped build Nissan’s storied reputation in motorsports, having pushed for racing programs that he knew would be key to building a strong following for the marque. It’s great to see such an influential figure finally get the recognition he deserves in his home country. Mr. K was inducted into the US Automotive Hall of Fame in 1998.

He is shown above with Luis Carriles, Z Car Club of San Antonio (left) and Yoshihiko Matsuo, lead designer on the 240Z project (right).

[Photo credit: Luis Carriles, via Datsun Heritage Museum]

More...

It is Yukata, unless I have had it wrong all of these years. That is very cool... I cannot wait to install my like new dashboard with my Mr. K autographed glovebox door!

It is Yukata, unless I have had it wrong all of these years. That is very cool... I cannot wait to install my like new dashboard with my Mr. K autographed glovebox door!

You have been wrong.... It is Yutaka Katayama.....

Thats great, but I wonder why it took so long. Afterall, he was inducted in to the American Auto Hall of Fame 10 years ago.

The Automotive Hall of Fame in Deaborn was actually established to honor on a world wide basis significant careers and lifetime achievements of people associated with the automotive industry. Since 1939 induction into the Automobile Hall of Fame was considered the highest honor anyone associated with industry could be granted. People from around the world have been inducted over the years.

Japan established their own Automotive Hall of Fame in 2000.

FWIW,

Carl B.

Darn! I bought a "Mr K." book at ZCON, and so now it's incomplete because of this new and significant hostorical fact.

I suppose we could get a printed pamphlet and stick it inside the back cover...

thxZ