"The design was hailed as wonderful as it was an affordable alternative to
the E type coupe."
Sid,
I don't think Datsooon was aiming at E buyers but buyers of TR6s and GT6
Spits. A person interested in buying an E would buy a MB SL, Pantera,
Porsche, BMW etc. and their noses would be up in the air catching flies at
the mention of them buying a Z - a friggin' rice burner!!
Remember that Jap cars were not highly regarded by many in the late 60s or
70s. People often referred to my cars as the aformentioned "rice burner"
Mike
----- Original Message -----
From: "sidney raper" <spl310@hotmail.com>
To: <Pre_Z@msn.com>; <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
Sent: Friday, December 21, 2001 9:28 AM
Subject: Re: Design Study
> George,
>
> The Z was not earth shattering in design as I recall. The design was
hailed
> as wonderful as it was an affordable alternative to the E type coupe. If
> you squint on a foggy morning with a Z and an E parked together, you can
see
> the similarities. The E types (even then) were considered to be
"mechanics"
> cars, while Nissan products had already proven that they are reliable.
This
> with the lower price (before the obscene dealer markups which were common)
> resulted in fantastic sales.
>
> On the design of the Roadster, it was considered by some to be derivative.
> (read the old road tests. I see them as off handed attempts to minimize
the
> car - others may disagree) There are parts of the roadster that (in some
> eyes) don't appear to be in harmony with the rest of the car, but overall,
> the design is pleasing. I personally like the chopped off nose look as it
> is more aggressive (in my opinion) than the pointed nose cars. Then
again,
> I like old Ferrari Barchetta's, Cobras and other open mouth cars. I can
see
> the similarities that you mention in your note.
>
> If you look at them carefully, the Fiat 124/1800/2000 have some very
similar
> design queues to the Roadster. Especially if you look at the original
grill
> design (non-production sketch shown in Phil Brook's book) The reason that
I
> believe that the designs have similar queues is that classic designs are
> eternal.
>
> I have been toying with the idea of what a modern roadster would look
like.
> Something along the lines of the new Tbird versus the originals. I think
> that it would be interesting to see one built. My thought on the
taillights
> for this model is that the clear lens lights which are popular with the
> "rice boy" cars now would lend themselves well to a taillight design for
the
> new Roadster. On the new design, I see the nose becoming more rounded in
> the modern style (similar to the S2000). The fins would become more
> integrated and only appear at the back of the body. The plinth (Jaguar
talk
> for the trunk "handle") would probably become more flushly mounted. The
> hood scoop would move back up the hood. The windshield would be laid back
> more, and the vent windows more angled. The bumpers would become
integrated
> with chrome accent strips. If anyone out there can draw, it would be a
fun
> exercise.
>
> Sid
>
>
> >From: "Pre-Zee" <Pre_Z@msn.com>
> >Reply-To: "Pre-Zee" <Pre_Z@msn.com>
> >To: " roadster List" <datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net>
> >Subject: Design Study
> >Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2001 23:02:52 -0800
> >
> >There was some talk about the styling of the rear of the Datsun roadsters
a
> >week or so ago. I don't have much of a problem with the back design
> >myself,
> >but I feel like the nose had a chunk chopped off. I guess I am a child
of
> >1970's sports cars 240Z & such, & expect a more pointed nose on a "sports
> >car".
> >
> >I got to thinking about this & have been studying car designs over on the
> >Ewa model car site (www.ewa1.com). The one thing I am finding is cars I
> >find to be similar in design (take "similar" VERY liberally) all seem to
be
> >from the 1950's. Cars with an 'abrupt' nose like our Datsuns, or the
> >proportions, or a reminiscent line in the body work.
> >
> >I know all those 1960's cars were pretty similar in basic shape, but are
> >they all 'leftovers' from the 1950's?
> >
> >Was the 240Z such a sensation because it was the first fresh idea in 20
> >years?
> >
> >What thoughts are out there? I'm still chewing on this.
> >
> >Here's some I see similarities in. Yes it is a stretch on the first one,
> >but -I- see roadster in it.
> >
> >1950'd Borgward
> >http://ew1.com/md/sem10151.jpg
> >and 1950's Ferrari
> >http://ew1.com/md/art903.jpg
> >
> >George M (Pre-Z)
> >
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> >
>
>
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