Datsun Styling Press Release - April 1969

[doradox]

It is an interesting document. Who was the intended audience? I don't mean where was it released. Would North Americans care whether it was a purely Japanese design? Or would the JDM be more interested in these statements from US educated designers working for Datsun. They are a proud people and might the home market suffer if there were the taint of too much, or any at all, North American influence in the design? Or any other country besides the USA. Thinking they are being sold a car designed for the USA might be offensive. I'm not saying that it was designed for the US. I see those that put forth the world car view hold this up as proof. Could it just as easily be evidence of the opposite? A press release can be intended to produce results which can't necessarily be gleaned by taking the document at face value.

Just some questions.

Steve

Edited August 15, 2009 by doradox

[Mike B]

Who was the intended audience?

The US general public via the media. Companies frequently issue these types of releases in an attempt to get media coverage for something they would like to publicize. Datsun was working hard to grow market share in the US in the late 60's. Their ad campaign at the time was "try a Datsun and then decide".

Would North Americans care whether it was a purely Japanese design? Or would the JDM be more interested in these statements from US educated designers working for Datsun. They are a proud people and might the home market suffer if there were the taint of too much, or any at all, North American influence in the design? Or any other country besides the USA. Thinking they are being sold a car designed for the USA might be offensive.

I think the purpose was to highlight the fact that Nissan had its own design center and designers, some of whom were trained at the prestigious Art Center School where Peter Brock and other top US designers also attended. I don't think there was any attempt to protect the Japanese people from some type of dishonor. As the release indicates, the designers considered the entire overseas market and designed vehicles for the world market.

I'm not saying that it was designed for the US. I see those that put forth the world car view hold this up as proof. Could it just as easily be evidence of the opposite? A press release can be intended to produce results which can't necessarily be gleaned by taking the document at face value.

So you think this may have been a disinformation campaign by Nissan to make their designers look more competent than they really were? That seems a bit of a conspiracy theory to me.

-Mike

[1 Bravo 6]

The September issue of Australian Classic Cars features a 1973 240Z.

I have never before seen in print that there was doubt as to Goertz's involvement in the design of the Z. There has been many comments in the past on the subject on this site but, at the risk of starting it all over again, I thought it appropriate to add to this thread.

I quote;

Count Albrecht von Goertz, a flagrant self publicist, often claimed credit for the 240z's styling.

While he was in charge of a Datsun design team between 1963 and 1964, and was responsible for the pretty (if highly impractical) Nissan Sylvia coupe, there is considerable debate about his input into the 240Z. Well after von Goertz had moved on, chief designer of Nissan's sports car section, Yoshihiko Matsuo and his team developed five different clay mockups before settling on a final design.

End quote.

Rick.

[kats]

Hi Mike,

Thank you very much,very interesting stuff!! And sorry kept you waiting for a clock.

Chris,Alan, keep going,I am not here always like before but I enjoy reading this thread.

I think I need to meet Mr.Yoshida about origin of S30 styling,Alan do you plan or did you already talk with Mr.Yoshida?

I can not go to the 2009 convention,too bad.

kats

[doradox]

The US general public via the media. Companies frequently issue these types of releases in an attempt to get media coverage for something they would like to publicize. Datsun was working hard to grow market share in the US in the late 60's. Their ad campaign at the time was "try a Datsun and then decide".

I think the purpose was to highlight the fact that Nissan had its own design center and designers, some of whom were trained at the prestigious Art Center School where Peter Brock and other top US designers also attended. I don't think there was any attempt to protect the Japanese people from some type of dishonor. As the release indicates, the designers considered the entire overseas market and designed vehicles for the world market.

So you think this may have been a disinformation campaign by Nissan to make their designers look more competent than they really were? That seems a bit of a conspiracy theory to me.

-Mike

Just asking some questions.

I've had the opportunity to work with our marketing dept on the products I have developed. Sometimes the message is designed to please more than one audience.

Steve

Edited September 10, 2009 by doradox
Too many Steve's

[Mike B]

Here is photo of the "Nissan Styling Center" from another brochure I have dated 8/71.

-Mike

[26th-Z]

Hi Mike,

I can not go to the 2009 convention,too bad.

We will miss you, kats.