The definitive Z book

[SpeedRoo]

Having just recently got involved with the 240Z I'm looking for the definitive book on the Nissan Z cars from 1969 to end of production of the 240Z. Seem to be lots of armchair experts on forums but is there a definitive book that covers them in depth. It would have to include the factory race cars and their role in developing the Z. Additionally is their a website or magazine that has covered the history accurately? Any help much appreciated.

The 1969 Z launch, Nissan's homologation special Z on display.

 

[240260280]

 

These are nice:

    

 

 

[SpeedRoo]

Excellent, I will search for them and start reading.

[Namerow]

David Halberstram's book, 'The Reckoning' provides a fascinating comparison of the histories of Nissan Corp. vs. Ford Motor Corp., using them as proxies for the Japanese vs. the US auto industries.

[SpeedRoo]

Uemura booked ordered and on its way. Should make for good holiday reading. Now who's done the definitive book on Nissan factory Z race cars?

[HS30-H]

59 minutes ago, Namerow said:

David Halberstram's book, 'The Reckoning' provides a fascinating comparison of the histories of Nissan Corp. vs. Ford Motor Corp., using them as proxies for the Japanese vs. the US auto industries.

Halberstam's book (note the spelling) is history as schmistory. It's not a reference source. It is tabloid-level entertainment - more National Enquirer than National Geographic. History reduced to soap opera. .

John B. Rae's 'A History Of Nissan Motor Corporation In USA 1960-1980' is a proper reference-level tome and impeccably researched and written, but it's not a 'Z' book.

Brian Long's efforts for Veloce Publishing get a mention in dispatches, but would benefit from major re-writes as new information has thrown light where there was otherwise darkness.

The fact is, there is NO 'definitive' tome on these cars. In my opinion - take that as you want - the most accurate story of these Japanese cars would be best told by Japanese sources and in the Japanese language, but so far most Japanese publications have been written with a somewhat skewed viewpoint and keeping the "Thanks Mr K." status quo rather than being revelatory. Hitoshi Uemura's 2014-published 'Fairlady Z Kaihatsu No Kiroku' ('Fairlady Z Development Record') got "translated" into 'Datsun 240Z Engineering Development - The Journey From Concept To Reality', which gives a clue to the Bowdlerisation involved in an already skewed narrative.

The short answer? There isn't one. I don't think there is a 'definitive' book on the Porsche 911 either, despite what people might claim. Even Karl Ludvigsen got a lot wrong. If you volunteer to write one, you'll soon be disabused of the idea that a 'definitive' tome is even possible. In my view it's only going to be possible to be a specialist in one aspect of such a wide subject, and even then you're on a hiding to nothing.

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Seem to be lots of armchair experts on forums...

   

Welcome to the party. Take a drink from the tray over there. Choose your 'guru'. It won't take long before you - turning up out of the blue as an impetuous arriviste -  are an "armchair expert" too...  Bottoms up!

       

Edited December 9, 2018 by HS30-H

[SpeedRoo]

The internet seems populated by armchair experts, hence my question is there a definitive book. Normally they don't write books but it never hurts to ask, especially when I'm not familiar with the Z world or the characters within it. I find recollections from the people that were there more enlightening hence my interest in the Uemura book. Did any of the other/designer/engineers/managers write anything about the cars. Is there a reference book on the works race cars at all, they interest me greatly....especially the Z432R.

[SpeedRoo]

Just been wading through lots of old posts here. Kats had mentioned Eaglemoss FairladyZ magazines and model, that no longer seem available. 

There looks to be lots of historic photos in the magazine scans he posted, is the information accurate and a good reference?

[NVZEE]

Carl Beck has some suggestions on his site — more generalized reference than definitive tome, but they can help build your library:

http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/Books/references.html

 

 

 

 

[SpeedRoo]

Thanks for that NVZEE, Carl has done a great job on his site. Slowly working my way through it but hadn't found the book section until now.

[HS30-H]

49 minutes ago, SpeedRoo said:

Thanks for that NVZEE, Carl has done a great job on his site.

Would you classify him as one of your "armchair experts", or not?

[SpeedRoo]

I don't know Carl personally but if he sits at a chair that has armrests and writes about Z cars then yes that would make him an "armchair expert". From what I can see reading posts on this forum and his site zhome.com he is very passionate about the cars. He has spent many hours researching them and presenting the information for people to freely read and share. I'm thankful people like Carl are around and freely share their knowledge. I also appreciate people answering my questions here, you are all a lot more knowledgeable about the subject than I am.