Mr. Matsuo on MotoMan..

[Carl Beck]

The MotoMan interview with Mr. Matsuo and Randy Rodriguez can now be seen at

You can also find at:

Apple iTunes

http://www.CraveOnline.com

Boxee

DivX TV

Roku

Samsung HD

TiVo

Verizon FiOS OnDemand

Vizio VIA

I think everyone will enjoy this...

FWIW,

Carl B.

Edited December 2, 2010 by Carl Beck
add additional sites for viewing

[78zcar_blue]

Thank you for posting this video, I enjoyed it very much!!!

[zKars]

Oh sure, now I can really concentrate on work after watching that. Thanks a lot.....

[spitz17]

Excellent video, thanks for posting this Carl.

[26th-Z]

I wondered if you had posted the link, Carl. Great video isn't it? This should be posted in the thread from last week about the design of the S30.

[Daishi_GD]

Great video. Thanks for sharing that.

[HS30-H]

Carl,

Thanks for posting this, but I'm sorry to say that I found it slightly uncomfortable to watch.....

It's good to see people like Matsuo san engaging with the English-speaking media, but in this instance I really feel it would have worked better with a skilled translator and some more thoroughly prepared scripting of the questions. Matsuo san's English is fine for one-to-one conversation, and if a pen and paper is on the table then all the better, but I fear it's not really up to the level needed in a 'live' video exchange. More than once I found myself feeling embarrassed for both sides as meaning and nuance whizzed over heads.

Presenting Matsuo san as "the" Designer - as though there was only one - is a mistake. Matsuo san was the 'Chief Designer' on the project, a chief among designers and engineers, tasked with coordinating the work of all the different individuals, all the different departments and all the different suppliers. Yes, he takes the credit for certain details of the overall design ( the hatch hinges and gas ram to name two seen in the video ) but seeing him credited as though he almost single-handedly conceived, designed and produced the first Z is only one stage removed from that old Goertz problem.

Matsuo san might also be advised to use the word 'we' instead of 'I' where more appropriate. It's no wonder that the other members of the team feel as though they have been crowded out of the story. When we talk about the styling of the car, we should give Yoshida - the man who really should be given credit for the overall styling of the car - and Tamura - the man who picked up where Yoshida left off - the credit that they deserve. To see Matsuo san being called an 'Engineer', and then a 'Test Driver' ( even in half jest ) no doubt makes the true Engineers on the project - Uemura, Benitani, Kamahara et al - wince. The design / styling of the dashboard - commented on in the driving scenes - was the responsibility of Chiba san, not Matsuo.

I won't comment on Mr Randy Rodriguez ( he came across very well, and very modest ), except to point out - perhaps stating the obvious - that no one individual will have 'designed' the Z34. Nissan might want to attribute the styling theme to him - as they did to Ajay Panchal with the Z33 - but it's a little bit more involved than such credit can convey. Much like it was with the S30, indeed. And how come Goertz is still getting the credit for the Toyota 2000GT in shows like this?

Sorry to rock the feelgood boat.

Alan T.

[spitz17]

I have a great amount of respect for the guy, but I can agree with Alan on this one. Wonderful video, but it seemed like Mr. Matsuo was taking a bit too much credit. They made him sound as if he was the "sole creator" of the Z car, which in actually as Alan said, a lot more people were involved. At the same time, it probably would be too much to ask to gather all the individuals to include in the video. Secondly, I feel that Matsuo did not fully understand some of the questions the interviewer was asking, which often ended up in an awkward smile and nod. It was quite odd... from my experience at least, Japanese men are often known to be a bit more modest. I may be overexaggerating though, as his English skill may have had an effect on what he really wanted to convey. He probably did not mean to come off arrogant sounding.

Edited December 2, 2010 by spitz17

[Rif]

Thanks for he vid Carl. I enjoyed it very much.I felt privileleged to meet these guys in person and get their autographs at the Z car convention this year. I think " chief designer " says it all. There may may have been other people involved, but the chief will always be the chief. He's the man. If there was no Matsuo we would not have the same 240 we all fell in love with.

[Mike B]

Even though it has flaws it was an interesting video. I agree with Alan's points though. It would have been much better if they had a translator to assist with the interview. I'm sure that contributed to some of the misstatements and omissions. I wonder why they kept splicing driving scenes and side conversations into the interview with Mr. Matsuo?

I'm surprised no one has commented on the "factory" restored program Z they showed. I see it (HLS30-15189) is listed in Carl's program car registry, but it is listed as 918 orange and it definitely looks to be 920 gold instead. The owner didn't look too thrilled to hear Mr. Matsuo had "improved it" with a piece of tape. I can't blame him for that.

-Mike

[motorman7]

Nice video...thanks for sharing Carl. It was also nice to meet Matsuo when he was out here at the DHM. He is a very impressive individual, very innovative.

Funny, at the start of the video I thought the car was mine. Nissan did a photo shoot with my car and the 40th anniversary Z that included some driving shots. Looked like the exact same set-up, except I forgot they requested the Panasports for the shoot. I much prefer the hubcaps on it now.

Also, I am pretty sure I met Omar at the 2009 JCCS show. He thought my car was also from the restoration program. If I am not mistaken, he lives up near the Orange County area in CA.

[Carl Beck]

Hi Guys:

I hear you.

I'm sure that Alan will tell you as well; having attempted to help one automotive writer or another along the way - no matter how hard you try - no matter how clearly you communicate certain facts - automotive journalists still get things twisted at times in the reporting/repeating. I too cringed when any mention of Goertz and the Toyota 2000GT were made.... ugh....

On the positive side - with only a short video - only a couple main thoughts can be presented in very simple terms - with the hope of anyone retaining them. While I understand what some of you are saying - I think we have to keep in mind that this video was more about the 40th Anniversary of the Z bracketed by the two men most responsible for first and latest. I too would love to do a History Channel Documentary with a more singular focus.... but maybe later. ;-)

Of course my main goal was to get Mr. Matsuo as widely recognized publicly - as the designer most responsible for the original Z Car. In that regard, MotoMan helped a great deal and his video will be viewed by perhaps more people on the Internet today, than all the previous books published {containing the Goertz myth}. It is also good that so many people will actually get to see Mr. Matsuo - to put a name with a face.

George {aka MotoMan} spent about four hours with Mr. Matsuo, Dr. Youchi Matsumoto and his son Jordi interviewing Mr. Matsuo and covering Mr. Matsuo's background, education and as many specific design details as possible - before the video was shot. {Youchi's Grandfather was the President of Nissan Motor Co. Ltd after WW-II}. Yoichi was born and raised in Japan, then came to America where he went to College - though to his Ph.d in Mechanical Engineering. Even so... only certain themes could work their way into such a brief video.

FWIW,

Carl B.