Quote:
Originally Posted by 370ZRR
Like the designer of the 350 we both didnt get to follow it in the final production phase so there are things that have been 'modified' where I didnt have any say. Overall I think the car as a whole is a pretty amazing feat by Nissan to make a kick *** car like the 350 and up the game in all aspects with the 370.
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One major element of success associated with the Datsun 240Z was that it made it though the Design to Production hand-off with its Styling in tact. This is a very very rare occurrence - in any field. The Datsun 240Z was a clean slate design and the original designer did get to follow it though at least the Automotive and Manufacturing Design phases. Of course Nissan Motors Ltd. was a much smaller corporation then.
I was at the Detroit Auto Show when the new 350Z was introduced. As you can see by the pictures below - the Styling Concept Drawings show a quite beautiful design.
When I had an opportunity to talk to Mr. Shiro Nakamura, I ask him why the production car was so much thicker/fatter than the concept drawings. His answer surprised me at first... but then it made perfect sense. Mr. Nakamura said "we couldn't get the height of the firewall any shorter". I looked at him with some question still on my face, so he continued...and said "G35".
Oh.. I see!! The 350Z was built on the existing G35 platform - just shortened. That explained it - and I thought almost at once of the AM-X that I had owned so many years ago. A AMC Javelin with the rear seat cut out!.
At that time - Nissan was just recovering from a near bankruptcy and couldn't afford an entirely new platform for the limited production Z Car, as was originally promised by the previous President of Nissn, Mr. Hanawa.
If the 370Z sells well in this depressed economy - perhaps at some point in the future - Nissan will once again be able to afford to develop a new platform strictly for another Z Car. If that happens, you'll see a car that get though the Manufactureing and Production phase with its original styling pretty much in tact.
Nonetheless - the 370Z is a beautiful job.
FWIW,
Carl B.