what does the "Z" mean ??????

NISSNISS370Z · 03-09-2010, 11:03 AM

Does the "Z" stand for somethng or is there a story behind why the "Z" was chosen to be placed on these cars for all these years?

mick · 03-09-2010, 11:49 AM

i think someone at datsun/nissan copied the idea from omega watch company.

omega is the last letter in the greek aphabet and stands for the best.

z is the last letter in the roman aphabet and could be the best

Matt · 03-09-2010, 12:50 PM

Fairlady Z - about that name..
Full Article

Excerpt pertaining to the above comment, which is partially correct:

Quote:

When the new HLS30 Sports/GT was designed and built for the US Market - Mr. Katayama suggested that it not be badged as the "Fairlady' in the US. Mr. K. thought that the car should be named something more aggressive, like "Tiger" or "Shark" in keeping with US cultural traditions and values. That idea having been turned down in Japan, he was willing to accept "Datsun 240-Z". The 240 was a shortened version of the 2400cc engine displacement, and the "Z", which had been the new car's product file designation within Nissan's Design Department.

Mr. Teiichi Hara, General Manager of the Design Department, had given the original sports car plans the file designation "Type Z", as most all of the other characters in the roman alphabet had been previously used.

WICKED_GRIN · 03-09-2010, 12:58 PM

^^ google

NISSNISS370Z · 03-09-2010, 01:48 PM

Z best....

370Zsteve · 03-09-2010, 02:07 PM

Type Z?

I smell my vanity plate.

Chan Chee Hoe · 03-09-2010, 06:42 PM

Zagato.?

PrObLy · 03-09-2010, 06:57 PM

I was under the impression that it was short for "Zebra Cakes" .... man, I love those things.

Thanks for the info, Matt and mick.

kenchan · 03-09-2010, 08:14 PM

it's not really z. it's pronunced "zehtto."

it was Mr. Zehtto Wasabi that originally came up with the design concept.

PapoZalsa · 03-09-2010, 08:50 PM

^^ Could not find anything searching that support your "theory"^^

frost · 03-09-2010, 10:33 PM

The original Z was black and white, and the original name was "the zebra." However, Mr. Nissan was told about how cars here were named after tougher animals (cobra, mustang) and he just shortened it to Z.

StLRedrider · 03-09-2010, 10:38 PM

you know, i read that in an car and driver about a month ago. wtf!!!!!!!

03-09-2010, 10:39 PM

Dont let all these people fool you. Z really means "a whales vagina"

frost · 03-09-2010, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frost

The original Z was black and white, and the original name was "the zebra." However, Mr. Nissan was told about how cars here were named after tougher animals (cobra, mustang) and he just shortened it to Z.

Quote:

Originally Posted by StLRedrider

you know, i read that in an car and driver about a month ago. wtf!!!!!!!

Yep, they did a story on the original zebra for the 40th anniversary

StLRedrider · 03-09-2010, 10:41 PM

what, a Zagina?

03-09-2010, 11:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
NISSNISS370Z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: orange county Posts: 87 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 15	what does the "Z" mean ?????? Does the "Z" stand for somethng or is there a story behind why the "Z" was chosen to be placed on these cars for all these years?

03-09-2010, 02:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
370Zsteve A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Gold Coast CT Posts: 10,599 Drives: 2019 Corvette G.S. Rep Power: 43	Type Z? I smell my vanity plate. __________________ SOLD MY Z MARCH 2018 - another Core OG moves on - new ride 2019 Z Corvette Grand Sport - no mods necessary but already have eyes on HFC and intakes LOL IT NEVER ENDS.

03-09-2010, 08:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
PapoZalsa A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Not in Sunny Florida Posts: 6,358 Drives: 16 Nismo w/Tech Pack Rep Power: 4500	^^ Could not find anything searching that support your "theory"^^ __________________ 2009 370Z MB Base w/Sport Package 6MT Modshack's Custom Air Intakes /3M Clear Bra/ Illuminated Kick Plates / F. I CBE w/12" resonators / EVO-R Front Lip / Rear Hatch Wing / Tein S-Tech Springs /Ilegal Tint in the Rep. of VA/4x20mm Z1 Spacers/ Vinyl Roof/Liquid Carbon Designs

03-09-2010, 10:38 PM	#12 (permalink)
StLRedrider A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St.louis,Mo Posts: 17,755 Drives: O9Sprt/Touring,p-51 Rep Power: 60	you know, i read that in an car and driver about a month ago. wtf!!!!!!! __________________ Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today J.Dean

03-09-2010, 10:41 PM	#15 (permalink)
StLRedrider A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: St.louis,Mo Posts: 17,755 Drives: O9Sprt/Touring,p-51 Rep Power: 60	what, a Zagina? __________________ Dream as if you'll live forever, live as if you'll die today J.Dean

03-09-2010, 11:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
mick Track Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: California Posts: 903 Drives: Used to drive a 370z Rep Power: 16	i think someone at datsun/nissan copied the idea from omega watch company. omega is the last letter in the greek aphabet and stands for the best. z is the last letter in the roman aphabet and could be the best

03-09-2010, 12:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
WICKED_GRIN Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: New England Posts: 466 Drives: 370Z Roadster Black Rep Power: 15	^^ google

03-09-2010, 01:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
NISSNISS370Z Base Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: orange county Posts: 87 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 15	Z best....

03-09-2010, 06:42 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chan Chee Hoe Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Singapore Posts: 861 Drives: 370z,Yellow,7sp A Rep Power: 17	Zagato.?

03-09-2010, 06:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
PrObLy Base Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orland Park Posts: 19 Drives: 09 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 16	I was under the impression that it was short for "Zebra Cakes" .... man, I love those things. Thanks for the info, Matt and mick.

03-09-2010, 08:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
kenchan A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: N/A Posts: 76,801 Drives: N/A Rep Power: 141521	it's not really z. it's pronunced "zehtto." it was Mr. Zehtto Wasabi that originally came up with the design concept.

03-09-2010, 10:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
frost Retired admin Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Winterfell Posts: 106,613 Drives: Your Wife Crazy Rep Power: 0	The original Z was black and white, and the original name was "the zebra." However, Mr. Nissan was told about how cars here were named after tougher animals (cobra, mustang) and he just shortened it to Z.

03-09-2010, 10:39 PM	#13 (permalink)
blue660r01 Guest Posts: n/a	Dont let all these people fool you. Z really means "a whales vagina"

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
"Warning" Carbon Fiber Z emblems "DO NOT FIT"	NXTAZEE	Exterior & Interior	2	12-20-2009 04:49 AM
Clear Bra: Is "Portection One" the same as "Ventureshield?"	matt2112	Exterior & Interior	9	07-26-2009 11:22 PM
Break in - drive it "hard" or "be gentle"?	kannibul	Engine & Drivetrain	3	06-06-2009 02:51 AM
Bicycles that make you go "wow" or "eww"	frost	The Lounge (Off Topic)	6	04-29-2009 09:49 PM