02-18-2009 11:34 PM

Well whaddya know. Randy Rodriguez, one of the key designers of the Nissan 370Z, is an S30 fan at heart, according to this Canadian Press article. He’s owned 10 of them, in fact, and currently drives 1977 280Z that he restored himself. He says that his sketches were heavily influenced by the 240Z and the new GT-R. You might take issue with his statement that the 240Z and 350Z were the best Zs, but it’s good to know there such die-hard Datsun enthusiasts working at Nissan.

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Worked with him at the La Jolla NDA studio for 6 months before I left and he WAS an enthusiast. Not common in the auto design industry oddly enough as most designers like design, and new car trends, but forget or lack interest in the past.

I remember Randy had his 1:12 Tamiya 240Z rally car on his desk. My 510 slept next to his 280Z in the back of the studio over the weekend now and again when I'd visit the folks in SF.

Thanks for the article!

j!

Hi j!

"YawnTee" - - - why, what or who.... the meaning behind....??

Just curious,

Carl B.

He's Jan T. so I guess it comes from that kind of like 'El Lay" (L.A.).

Edited February 20, 200916 yr by sblake01

I'd have a 370Z but not particularly for the looks, more because its going to be a good Z, maybe the best performing Zed for quite a while. Basically the looks are too exaggerated, to be blunt and not wishing to touch national sensitivities, I wish these sorts of cars were not designed in the US, appearance wise anyway.

If RR truly appreciates the S30, and cars like it which have stood the test of time, then we would not be stuck with something which looks more like a fashion statement than a performance car with history.

Edited February 21, 200916 yr by 260DET

How much input do you think he really had on the 370Z design? He's a member of the design team. That doesn't mean he designed the car. No national sensitivity here, I just think the article just might cause people to give him too much credit. He was just 'one of the key designers'.....whatever that means.

I'd have a 370Z but not particularly for the looks, more because its going to be a good Z, maybe the best performing Zed for quite a while. Basically the looks are too exaggerated, to be blunt and not wishing to touch national sensitivities, I wish these sorts of cars were not designed in the US, appearance wise anyway.

Perhaps - - go for the G37S instead. In my opinion it is much better looking. The 370Z wasn't really designed in the US - so much as redesigned/modified or reworked around the G platform. Certainly NOT A CLEAN SLATE DESIGN.

The "G" platform was kind of Nissan's K-Car if you will. A common platform for many different models to save costs coming out of Carlos Turn-Around. The 350Z was kind of Nissan's AM-X.... a less expensive way of turning out an image car...

Our fear at this point - is that with Nissan stock down to around six bucks a share - it will be even more years and years before we get that Clean Slate Design that Mr. Hanawa promised....

FWIW,

Carl B.