in memoriam

[RubyRed300ZX]

TOKYO — Yutaka Katayama, a former president of Nissan Motor Co.'s U.S. unit who built the Z sports car into a powerful global brand in the 1970s, has died, his son said Saturday. He was 105.

Known as the "father of the Z," Katayama won international respect for the Datsun Z as an affordable sports car at a time when Japan-made products were synonymous with slipshod quality.

Katayama, who retired from Nissan in 1977, died Thursday of heart failure at a Tokyo hospital, his son Mitsuo said.

http://www.startribune.com/world/293146791.html

[300ZXttZMAN]

Yeah its a sad sad day. But Mr. K is in a better place now.

Its so crazy to really think about how much he changed and influenced Nissan.

RIP

[RubyRed300ZX]

As you said in a better place. As the article quoted at the bottom of the page:

"Mitsuo Katayama mused that his father was happily zooming around in the Z in heaven, no longer worried about "gas, police or traffic tickets."

[DCaff300ZX]

Sad news indeed, but 105 years is a REALLY good run and he made the most of it with his accomplishments.
What would we be enjoying if not a Z?

[evildky]

A legend has left us, RIP

[Ace2cool]

Wow, I knew he was up there, but I didn't know 105. That's awesome. RIP, Mr. K. I know you're burning up tires on the big track in the sky.

[aerhead1]

All I can say is "THANK YOU".

[NolimitZ32]

My hat's off, Thank you Katayamasan for what you gave to all of us, and for the legend you created which will surely not go quietly into the night.

[Ace2cool]

It's all over the Nissan newsletter they send out every day.