I found this interesting video that shows some of the many designs that preceded the 240Z

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ue0f0pCptVA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Are there similar videos for the design of the chassis and engine?

Cool video.

It's the same one from another topic, so the Admins may delete the other one.

You always hear that the Jaguar XKE was the primary design influence for the 240Z but I just don't see it. The headlight buckets are similar, but to me the Jag's proportions are off -- the hood is too long and the greenhouse too tall.

I think that the Ferrari 275GTB/4 and Maserati Ghibli of the late 1960s had more to do with it. Their proportions, along with the early 1970s 365GTB/4 are just right.

Maybe Dearborn had something to do with it.

I think that is Mr K in the cowboy hat.

Two seats

Edited October 8, 201311 yr by black gold man

Why would **** lie.

The Jaguar XKE was a primary design influence however you are apparently considering only how the Jaguar looks compared to the 240Z. There is far more to design than just how it looks or is styled. Mr. Katayama talks about the XKE beautiful lines, grace, powerful long hood. The 240Z has all that. If you want to make a direct car-to-car comparison, look at the Alfa Romeo Montreal of 1967 and the Maserati Mistral of 1966 and compare it to Matsuo sans C3 prototype of October 1966. Other cars that influenced the 240Z design include the swing arm rear suspension of the VW.

I don't know what to think about the **** Avery story any more than the stories I have heard from some German Goertz. **** says he saw a 240Z (double take) on a car lot in 1968 and we know that isn't true. He says he met some Japanese guys, a real tall one, but he has no idea if it was Katayama or not. Someone told him its was...ahh hah. Too bad all his drawings are gone because he can't prove anything. Shame.

What we DO have is a resounding collection of drawings, photographs, and films of the S30 design and prototype testing program. It's just too much info to go off and find credibility to some mythical story by someone who apparently has no reason to make any of the stuff up.

Edited October 8, 201311 yr by 26th-Z

I guess, at least my computer, I can't say D I C K

The pictures of the 240Z prototype in field testing and skid pad testing come from a series of Nissan films first posted by Kats some years ago. The Jaguar was used to compare ergonomics. Notice all the shrouding around the Z to hide the project from the paparazzi.

Edited October 8, 201311 yr by 26th-Z

Why would **** lie.

Because he's a ****...?

****'s wife seemed enthralled by the story he told in the video. Think she had heard it before?

Dennis

Looks like more here: IMCDb.org: "Full Throttle, 2004-2005": cars, bikes, trucks and other vehicles