Datsun 240Z Design Development Process - Exterior -

[FLSHBK1]

MizMag, do you know what became of 240Zs #9, #10, #11 and #12? (We have HLS#6, #8 and #13 here).

[mizmag360]

Gomennasai... I do not have the knowledge about them...orz

By the way, I inform you of it because I obtained the comment concerning the magnesium wheels from Tamura-San.

“The magnesium wheel was designed by Kuwahara-San. When he was doing the design work of the magnesium wheel, I was designing an over-fender and the tail-fin on the clay model. I thought the magnesium wheel to be used only for a race.

Therefore, when it was used by the production model, I was surprised.”

[mizmag360]

“About 4-lug wheels in the video, it has a flat shape. Therefore, I think that it was conscious of the press molding of the iron wheel. And please pay attention to the shape of the rear wheel being different from a front wheel. (They are different in the size of a square hole.)”

[FLSHBK1]

Hai. I think you are correct. My Z first had 4-lug magnesium wheels when I bought it in Hawaii. Thank you for asking Tamura-San. Do you think the photo of the Fairlady Z @03:26 shows 5 lug wheels?

[mizmag360]

You're welcome!  About the wheels of Z432 in the video, I think that it is certainly "4-lug wheels". I posted three photos on the page where chart concerning the design development was shown. Please refer to them! In the first photo, I think that it seem to have "5-lug wheels". In the next photo, I think that the front wheel seems to be "5-lug wheels". However, this yellow Z432 has "4-lug wheels". (The last photo) Therefore, I am convinced that white Z432 in the video is "4-lug wheels"!!

[FLSHBK1]

Miz ~ please post videos of Z cars in Sakura, ne?

[mizmag360]

@FLSHBK1

Oh, Gomennasai...

I love Z, but I do not own Z.

I am poor ...orz

[FLSHBK1]

@mizmag360 Haha! Yes, we are all poor. That is why the wonderful 240Z appeals to us. Even when new, Japan made it not expensive, but out-performing all other sportscars of that day. I own a 1970 240Z, one which I bought many years ago, then sold, then searched for and bought back. I love my Z, and belong to a wonderful Z club. We do not drive our cars in winter here, because winter road salt kills them quickly. We wait for Sakura and bring them back out to play together!

[mizmag360]

@FLSHBK1 Yes, 240Z was a cheap sports car.

However, S30Z that the condition is good is expensive in present Japan...

The story about you and your 240Z is very interesting.

Surely I think your 240Z to have been the existence like your lover.

And I think that 240Z loved by you is very happy.

By the way, I referred to Tamura-San for 4-lug wheel.

It was his answer not to have information about 4-lug wheel.

[mizmag360]

I think that it is natural that Tamura-San does not know 4-lug wheel because the staff of the styling studio does not participate in making of prototype.

I read the caption of pictures of the prototype. The caption was written by Yotsumoto-San.

Because a caption mentions a magnesium - wheel, it may be one of the design ideas of 4-lug wheel.

[mizmag360]

I'm sorry... I made a mistake...

Because a caption mentions a magnesium-wheel, it may be one of the design ideas of "magnesium-wheel".

[FLSHBK1]

Hi, Wakarimaska. This is very interesting! I have viewed your new link and watched the design changes happen. I also notice that most of the models and prototypes have 5-lug wheels, including the final Fairlady shown in the video. There is only one model (in 1968) which shows 4 lug wheels. That is very interesting to me.

[mizmag360]

@FLSHBK1 Thank you for seeing a new link.

Though many clay models were made in a styling studio, the model with the same style did not exist.

For your information, when the engine was changed from 4cyl to 6cyl, dimension of the body was changed.

Therefore, Tamura -San largely revised the design of the clay model to adapt it to changed dimension.

Moreover, modeler started making the clay model from the beginning.

4cyl model is narrow and is tall and 6cyl model is wide and is short.

[mizmag360]

About Wheel, your observing eye is splendid.

If Wheel is seen, who designed the clay model is understood.

Yoshida -San used a wheel of CSP311Silvia willingly.

Therefore, the clay model which he designed has a wheel of CSP311Silvia.

Tamura -San thought that the wheel cover was not necessary for a sportscar.

And he used the wheel of "Nissan President" for a clay model.

The wheel of Nissan President was 5-lug type.

[mizmag360]

Nishikawa- San mimicked Tamura- San and used the wheel of "Nissan President".

Because the prototype (FRP model) was made by "Shisaku-Bu", I guess that "Shisaku-Bu" selected 4- lug wheel.

I will inquire this 4- lug wheel of Tamura-San.

[FLSHBK1]

Thank you, Miz! Carl-San is my friend, and I respect him deeply. He knows Matsuo-san and Endo-san and also knows people who knew Herr Goertz. This is a very controversial subject. I am too young to be an authority about this design, so I must rely on my elders for advice. I feel Carl is far smarter than I am, (but I drive better!). The Z is so very popular, everyone claims it is his own! (smile!). "Success has many Fathers, but failure is an Orphan".

Thank you again, and your English is good!

[mizmag360]

@FLSHBK1

I am sorry for my saying something rude to the person whom you respect. However, I know many that Carl-San doesn't know. For instance, the chief designer in the interior is Chiba- San. It is Baba- San to design instrument panel. It is Nakagawa- San to design the seat and the door trim. It is Shimamura- San to design the steering wheel.

It is Morobayashi-San to design emblem/ornament. It is Nishikawa- San to design plan D.

[mizmag360]

The modeler that supports Nishikawa- San is Kurisaki-San and Shitara- San. A lot of Designer and Modeler took part in the design development of 240Z. I hope for their existence and opinion to be esteemed. And, I hope for a lot of opinions of the development member to be known, and to be considered about the history of the design development of 240Z. It is easy to know the truth about the design development of 240Z. It is vital to interview much development members to know the truth.

[mizmag360]

I think that it is foolish to decide everything by the opinion of one person...

I apologize by rudeness to you.

I hope you spend good time with Z!

[FLSHBK1]

@mizmag360 I am honored by the strength of your statements. Thank you for trusting me with this information. I extend my hand to you, Tomodachi Watashino. My 240Z now sleeps for winter!

[mizmag360]

@FLSHBK1 I thank for your friendly comment! Doumo Arigatou!!

I inform you of another important information.

Modeler belonged to a section different from a designer.

The exterior designer belonged to the "Styling Studio", but modeler belonged to a "Model Shop". (For your information, the interior designer belonged to the "Interior Studio". And the chief of the "Model Shop" was Ohta-San. )

Modeler was dispatched to the styling studio from "Model Shop" and did the modeling work.

[mizmag360]

Tamura -San belonged to the styling studio. Therefore, he is not Modeler.

When plan CA obtained the managing director's approval, Matsuo- San gathered the exterior designer and took the souvenir picture.

"Yoshida-San, Nishikawa-San, Matsuo-San, Tamura-San" appear in the souvenir picture.

This is the evidence that Tamura-San was the member of the styling studio.

The souvenir picture is posted on my blog. (The link to the souvenir picture was added to the explanation column of this video. )

[mizmag360]

I hope information of which I informed you helps Carl-San and much Z-Car fans.

And, I wait for spring to come with you and your 240Z!!

[FLSHBK1]

私は理解する。 ありがとう!

[mizmag360]

@FLSHBK1

I read the topic of CTZCC.COM.

Carl Beck is too ignorant.

I think that he should learn the development member's testimonies other than Matsuo.

Tamura is an exterior designer, and not a modeler.

The modeler who supported Tamura was Abe and Urushibara and Yasuda.

They produced the Clay model of plan CA.

The friendship of Tamura and modelers is continuing now.

Please forgive my poor English....

[FLSHBK1]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! This stuff is priceless. I zee some models here which show heavy influence from other successful sportscars ~ and not unlike some cars which became popular decades after these designs were sketched. After viewing each of them, I am grateful that the Z was released looking as it did ~ timeless, classic, graceful, balanced, yet masculine and powerful for its day. STUNNED that I actually got to view HLS30-00004 and 00005 in this Vid! Every Z owner should zee this!

[mizmag360]

Thank you for your comment.This video interviewed much staff (Chiba, Yoshida, Tamura, Nishikawa, Kuwahara, Abe, Urushihara, Yasuda) of the #4 studio and was produced.I believe that this video talks about the truth.I hope for a lot of Z Car fans not to be misled to Mr. Matsuo's testimony. And there is not HLS30-00004 and 00005 to this video.The model of this video is all a mock-up.（But last Z432 is excluded.）

It doesn't run because the prototype is made from FRP. Please do not misunderstand it!