The biggest single influence on the original Nissan 370Z was undoubtedly Yutaka Katayama, referred to as the father of the ‘Z’.
Katayama fell in love with the Jaguar XKE and viewed it as ‘perfection’ and an epitome of the sports car at the time.
This inspiration fuelled his passion to put the first Z car into production.
Following the acquisition of the Prince Motor Company in 1966, Nissan launched the first Z in October 1969.
This small GT gained a huge following for both its design and performance, not to mention its special orange paint finish that proved rather controversial at the time.
The Z quickly gained cult status in Europe, the United States and Japan. In its year of launch, this two-seater sports car would revolutionise the automotive world at the time. It had European styling, American muscle, Japanese quality and, above all, global desirability.
The original 240Z showcased all the passion that Katayama had for this project and put Nissan on the map in this particular segment, a reputation that evolved over the years. The dream of Katayama was to have an affordable sports car that would rival the best in its field and conquer the hearts of many car enthusiasts. This he did with success.
It is a rare occurrence when a single model is a window into the soul of an entire car company, as is the case throughout the history of the Nissan Z. It is rarer still when that passion involves a full-line automaker with offerings in all of the major market segments.
The Z exists in that special place, in the hearts and souls of over one million Z owners around the world, past and present.
Today, the Z has evolved into a very sophisticated vehicle showcasing the best that Nissan has to offer in a very competitive yet passionate segment. Purchasing one signifies a sense of achievement, a statement... a kind of declaration.
Why the 370Z, some would ask? And rightly so, as most would think that given that there are so many cars in this segment – with some coming from stables which have a very credible thoroughbred – the choice may have been very different.
Personally speaking, as an owner of a Nissan 370Z, it has always been about the passion, the satisfaction and the inner glow that I feel when I see, touch and drive such a machine. This is, after all, one beast of a car. It is extremely fast and very powerful. It has an acceleration that makes your heart pump twice as fast, filling your veins with adrenalin and excitement. It is very hard to truly explain such a feeling.
The latest Z marks over 45 years since the first model was launched, from the simple origins of the 240Z to the evolution and development that has now been put into the Nissan 370Z.
Remembering the original 240Z in the then controversial bright orange paintwork would provide anyone my age with a flashback to their younger years, a time when we dreamt of owning something similar and having the opportunity to drive such a vehicle.
The latest model has managed to keep its design in line with the original car. The rear quarter windows are evidence of this, as is the flowing lines of the car’s body. The design is a shorter, more taut and lighter car. Together with its aggressive rear fenders, the car has a leaner and more athletic body. This gives the 370Z a stronger impression when on the road; a sharp, well defined muscular and strong presence.
Obviously, one has to appreciate that when sitting in such a car, the interior is going to fit like a glove, but this is a comfortable glove offering its two occupants ample space not only in the cabin but also in the boot which can easily accommodate a weekend’s luggage.
The design focuses on functional beauty, both inside and out, giving the car the exact proportions that it deserves. But I do not think that anyone looking at a car in this segment is only looking for creature comforts. It’s about starting up and listening to the sound and roar of its engine, and the agility with which the car manages to take off.
Living with this car has proven to be an easy task both from the functional standpoint and also from a running point of view. The Z lives on with its legend, one that was created many years ago but that lives on to tell another tale.
The cult status of the Z car has no doubt reached Maltese shores too and we can today see many models on the road, both coupés and roadsters, old and new, garnered over the years and enjoyed by all today.