To all Datsun/Nissan Z Enthusiasts:

Yosihiko Matsuo, the Chief of Design for the 240Z will be in Southern California on Saturday, August 7. He is scheduled to visit the Datsun Heritage Museum at 10 AM. He is also scheduled to visit the San Diego Automotive Museum Exhibit (Datsun/Nissan: The American Story) later in the day.

We welcome you to bring your Z to either location to show your appreciation of Matsuo's efforts over 40 years ago and to show him that the dream lives on!!

41610 Date Street, Murrieta, CA 92562

Note: There is no admission charge to enter the DHM but donations are welcomed and appreciated.

Balboa Park – 2080 Pan American Plaza – San Diego California 92101

Note: There is a nominal admission charge to enter the SD Auto Museum. This a great opportunity to visit the exhibit if you haven't seen it yet.

More details will be provided as they become available (arrival times, parking, etc.).

We hope to Z you!

I'll be there. No way I'm gonna miss that.

Damn! I'd have to leave right away if I was going to be there by 10:00 tomorrow and still get any sleep tonight. And since I'm at work today...

ahh that sucks. im in the same boat as you arne. id had to leave actually this morning if i wanted to get there on time..

Damn! I'd have to leave right away if I was going to be there by 10:00 tomorrow and still get any sleep tonight. And since I'm at work today...

You still have time Arne. I'm sure there are flights leaving tonight or early tomorrow am .

-Mike

You still have time Arne. I'm sure there are flights leaving tonight or early tomorrow am .

-Mike

Flights?!? It wouldn't count if I didn't drive my car...

I am sure the Murrieta event will be better than the San Diego Auto Museum event but Balboa Park is so much closer than Murrieta. Oh well I guess it is SDAM for me. I really like the DHM better I might try to make it up there...got glove boxes and a valve cover to have signed.

Wow, what a great event! Really enjoyed speaking with Mr. Matsuo. He walked around the car with me and shared some of the design challenges on the 240. Just incredible! Was nice to have him sign under the hood. Also got the autographed charcoal. Very nice event, thanks for hosting this DHM.

What did he say?

Yosihiko Matsuo

Polite correction:

Matsuo san's given name is usually spelled "Yoshihiko".

Regards,

Alan T.

What did he say?

He mentioned a number of items: ( I write these as best I understood them)

He spoke about the rear hatch hinges. He was mentioned that some of the earlier designs were not as 'clean' as the final design, which has the hinges essentially hidden.

He said the gas strut for the hatch was innovative. Other ideas were a torsion spring or coil spring to assist the lift. He said he should have pateneted the gas strut. It would have made him very rich .

He mention the front bumber originally was supposed to have a rubber strip in the center section. Apparently this feature was deleted by management.

He said they called the color known as 920 Safari gold, "Sahara Brown" or Safari Brown- not Gold. (it really does look more like a tan than gold).

He spent a lot of time talking with the Japanese Nostalgic guys, at least a 30 min interview. JN also took a lot of pictures of him with my car and the Bondurant Z car. I can't wait to see what JN has to report.

It really was a great event.

He spoke about the rear hatch hinges. He was mentioned that some of the earlier designs were not as 'clean' as the final design, which has the hinges essentially hidden.

At the Zcon this year Eiji relayed a story that Mr. Matsuo had told him about the hatch hinges. This is coming third hand from me, so take it for what its worth. Apparently Nissan Shatai was supposed to design the hatch hinges, and their plan was to make the hinges exposed on the interior of the car. Mr. Matsuo saw the design and told them it wouldn't be acceptable, but Nissan Shatai said it was the only way they could do it. Mr. Matsuo sketched out the design that ended up being used, where the hinges recess into pockets in the roof. When the engineers at Nissan Shatai saw his design they were really impressed.

Eiji also mentioned that Mr. Matsuo preferred the front end treatment that North American market cars received, with the bumper guards and the slat grill (instead of the JDM style mesh grill). He also preferred the look of the stock front end over the g-nose.

Hopefully I got that all correct. If not maybe Eiji will see this and he can jump in. I wish I had more time to talk with Mr. Matsuo with Eiji translating.

-Mike