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Yutaka Katayama, shown in 1998, with a vintage 1971 Datsun 240Z sports car in Dearborn, Mich. Katayama was the first president of Nissan Motor Corp. USA and is widely known as the “father of the Z-car.
Peter Nunn, Autocar’s Japanese correspondent recently had a conversation with Yutaka Katayama, the creator of the original Nissan Z-car, the Datsun 240Z.
Nunn took Katayama out in the Nissan 370Z Roadster to see what the 100-year-old thought. Katayama has a 350z as a daily driver and wasn't overly impressed with the current 370Z, calling it over complicated.
Katayama, who recently renewed his driving license for another three years, also bemoaned the price of the new model. Nunn describes what Katayama’s ideal modern Z-car would be: “To Mr K, the Z-car should be simpler – styled like a thoroughbred, but with a price accessible to young people,” says Nunn. “It should offer the same kind of character and involvement that you can get from a Mazda MX-5, or even a Caterham.”
“Two hundred years ago we were riding horses, but we’ve lost that feeling of uncomplicated freedom nowadays,” said Katayama. “A horse has no tachometer or whatever, but man can still control the speed and enjoy riding the horse. Keep it simple – that’s the way it should be.”
What interests Katayama in the motoring world nowadays? He likes the idea of an electric hybrid Z, but is concerned about the weight of the batteries. What about the Tesla? “No interest!” said Katayama. Without any sound, maybe they will have to use a bell.”
Katayama visited Tokyo Motor Show 2009 and has been impressed with the Toyota FT-86 concept. A lightweight, Subaru-engined, rear-drive coupe “is something like a new Zed should be”, he said.
source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Nissan-370Z/246307/
