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WILL TATNELL
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WILL TATNELL: s3436591

Table of Contents
Page no. 3 - Nissan Fairlady Z 4 - Timeline

7 - Nissan 300zx z32

10 - Design Process

13 - 300zx in Production

14 - 300zx in Society

15 - Personal Response

16 - Conclusion

17- References

WILL TATNELL: s3436591

Nissan Fairlady Z
The Nissan Fairlady Z series consists of a number of different models of sports cars, starting with the 240z in 1970. The multiple designs that Nissan created over the 30-year span has greatly affected the societal impact of the motor enthusiast world. One particular model from this series that plays an important part of car history and the utilitarianism of mechanical vehicles is the Nissan 300zx Z32. This individual model has played a major part; both
1970 Nissan/Datsun 240z, one of the first cult classic vehicles that Nissan produced

in design aspects but also on a more existential level, in how we perceive sports vehicles, and the emotional attachment that one may create with similar superficial objects.

1990 300ZX z32, arguably the most popular model.

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Timeline

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WILL TATNELL: s3436591

In 1970, the Nissan/Datsun 240z was a game changing design that took on the world by storm. It was one of the first affordable sports cars that incorporated many similarities, in both design and performance aspects, to the Ferraris, Maseratis, and perhaps most noteworthy, the 1960-1975 Jaguar E-type (One of the first cars to match the power of the
1960 Jaguar E-type, a game changing design

Italian exotic cars for half the price, sold 38,419 units). This meant that the car was incredibly popular for its time, and over the four-year production span, Nissan sold 168,584 individual vehicles, mainly in North America but with Australia and Japan having strong markets compared to other similar models. Partly because of the large production number, and the cars strong and influential design, the 240z became a highly desired car for the motoring enthusiast, and eventually developed into the z32. The definition of a motoring enthusiast differs from person to person which makes it difficult to explain exactly what it means, but to put it simply, as Patrick George from Jalopnik justifies.

Nissan 260z - Very slight aesthetic differences between the earlier 240z

While some people think an enthusiast

should have some mechanical skills, or should own or have owned a certain car, I think an auto enthusiast can just simply be someone who loves cars.

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Nissan 300zx z32


The Nissan 300zx Z32, produced in Japan from 1989-2000, has one of the largest and most diverse cult followings of almost any vehicle manufacturer to date. In total, only 164,170 Z32s were ever produced, with 64,884 being solely for the Japanese Domestic Market, and the most desirable models only being available there. This meant that many people, particularly those in Australia, were forced to import cars from Japan. This created a huge market for imported parts, which meant that the owners of these cars would have to rely solely on other enthusiasts if any problems were ever to arise, as parts werent always readily available. This created, in a sense, the motoring enthusiast group that surrounds this particular model of the Fairlady Z. Now, this community has such an accepting and knowledgeable identity, solely based on each individuals connection to each other caused by a shared passion for what is seen by society to be a superficial and essentially meaningless object. This ideology is what makes the Nissan 300zx Z32 such an interesting and influential design.
A high quality rendering of a modified 300zx, created by Vincent DeLucas. This gives a comparison between factory car and one associated with the 300zx enthusiast group. 1990 Nissan 300zx. Note the contempory flowing lines that were not present in many cars from that era.

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Since the Z32 was first released in 1989, the car has been on Car and Driver magazines annual Ten Best list for every year of production since, won Motor Trends Import Car of the Year for 1990, and has been the feature of many design and performance awards since. Originally in 1989, the starting price of the Z32 was around $60,000AUD, almost a quarter of the
Lamborghini Diablo. Note the very slight styling similarities between the Diablo and the Z32, both designed in the same era. Price difference when new: Almost $200,000.

price that similar styled performance vehicles would cost. Now, its possible to purchase one in close to new condition for around $10,000. The Z32 has been compared to many other cars of the same era, such as the Lamborghini Diablo (19901998), which still sells in Australia for over $500,000. The Lamborghini Diablo even used the exact same headlights as the Z32, which Lamborghini licensed from Nissan. During the production period, the Z32 was so far ahead of its time in terms of both design and performance that its easy to see as to why the model became regarded as such a motoring enthusiast classic.

2010 Toyota 86. Many similar design features

Nowadays, the design of the Z32 is still comparable to the critically acclaimed Toyota 86/Subaru BRZ, and many other modern day sports cars.

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The 300zx Z32 was in production for many years before its release, as it incorporated a completely redesigned engine, chassis and essentially all the bodywork. This, as opposed to its predecessor, the Z31, which was just a reworked 280zx chassis, meant that the Z32 had to go through an extensive design process, with years of concept and development. The design of the Z32 was backed by Yutaka Katayama (1909-present), who is known by Z enthusiasts around the world as the Father of the Z-car. He was the lead design executive and actually the Nissan CEO during the development of the early 240z in 1970. He backed the idea that Nissans intentions with the Z32 were that it should answer the question of what a sports car should be. Nissan became so obsessed with the idea of creating a perfect sports car, that it is rumoured that their design language of the time stated that all of their cars should be fun to drive.
Plastic z32 model, one of the earlier final concepts Nissan 300zx z31 - Predecessor of the z32

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Design Process
Early concept stages of the Z32 design involving wooden, clay and foam 1:1 models. This allowed the designers to get a better understanding of the final product, working around aerodynamics and styling aspects.
A full-sized clay model. It is not rigged or painted, and is simply parted with drafting tape.

A simply rigged clay model. It is coated with Dinoc film, and the lights are expressed with paper. This type of clay model is sufficient when studying several proposals.

A see-through clay model. The hollowed out interior, the acrylic sheets used for the windows, and the plastic lamps make for an appearance quite close to that of an actual vehicle. This type of clay model is used for verification of the final proposal and for studying details.

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Top: Early concept drawings and development. Bottom: Wooden interior model used mainly for presentations.

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1:1 Clay models in various stages of manufactoring

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300zx in Production
The production model 300ZX incorporated multiple materials to accommodate the sweeping, long lines that the design focuses on. This was achieved using polyurethane (PU) for the front and rear bumpers, as PU has a high stress/flex resistance to avoid cracking with impact, and can be moulded easily. Aluminium was used for most body panels, including the bonnet and hatch. This meant Nissan was able to achieve the strong strength-to-weight ratio that allows maximum performance. The final production of the 300ZX presented the market with multiple contemporary ideas that soon became present with various car manufacturers in the years to come. This included: - Twin Turbocharged v6 Engine (Present in an enormous amount of prestige and luxury cars, hardly seen before 1990). - Affordable car that combines sports/ performance + luxury. - Enormous power output for its time (300 horsepower from factory). - One of the first models to use a 24 valve, overhead cam, v6 design. This went on to become almost an industry standard for similar sized cars. - Nissans hydraulically actuated rear wheel steering (HICAS), which was at a final stage of development at the time of release.
1989 Nissan VG30DETT (z32) engine (top) and 2010 Mercedes M157 engine (bottom). Note the similarities in design, in particular the V-shape design and turbocharger locations.

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15

Personal Response
For me, the 300ZX is a car that I associated myself with at a very young age. When living in Canberra, everyday when riding to school I would see a red 300ZX parked at the end of my street, which I admired endlessly and always dreamed about, but never imagined actually owning one. An enormous sense of excitement would always follow whenever I was to see one, which was greatly enhanced, as the model is not very common in Australia. The smooth flowing lines, the sounds, and the atmosphere that I felt surrounded the car was exhilarating. As soon as getting my license was on the horizon, I spent a large majority researching 300ZXs to get an idea of pricing and drivability, and finally decided that owning one was definitely achievable. Almost as soon as I had saved up enough I drove two hours to look at my first car, a red Australian delivered model, with the prospect of buying. The first time I sat in the car was a moment Im going to always remember. The amount of excitement I felt was overwhelming. Understandably, I bought the car straight away. This particular car wasnt in the best shape, but the large majority of 300ZXs in Australia arent either. It was a 1989 model, meaning it was 24 years old at the time, which was definitely noticeable. The engine was running correctly either, meaning the two-hour drive home was a terrible struggle. Once arriving home, I spent endless hours on end adjusting and fixing things to finally get the car to run properly, while the whole time my emotional bond to this object just became increasingly stronger, to a point I could have never imagined. Over the time I owned the car, I had so many issues with it that meant I knew the car inside and out, which perhaps is not the ideal situation to be in. Finally, after only a few months of ownership, I could see that the future of the car was very short, and I decided to sell. Once the car was passed onto its new owner, I was without a 300ZX for only a matter of days before I realised that I couldnt function properly without surrounding myself with the emotional bonds that had been created. So within a week of realising that I had gone out and bought my second 300ZX, this time a slightly newer and better condition Japanese import. Once again, this object that is nothing more than a superficial form of transport became the centre of my existence. This is something that is relatable by most, comparable to that of having a bond with teddy bear at a young age, but at a much more extreme point of self-realisation.

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Conclusion
Eventually, the 300zx z32 will become much more of a rarity, with very few remaining models left even to this day. The influences that the Nissan Z car series have bought upon the mechanical design world will always be applied, even in miniscule amounts, to future designs and concepts. Even though most cars are seen to have no major societal impact, the Nissan 300zx and its predecessors have had a greater impact to certain individuals personal lives, and have shaped who they are today. This ideology can be applied to any object that embraces an enthusiast group, and has a much greater impact on our society than what appears to be.

My latest 300zx, days before I sold it.

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References
The Z Car Home Page. 240z History, Carl Beck, 20/8/2010. Available at: http://zhome.com/. <Accessed 12 April 2014> What Makes Someone A Car Enthusiast? Patrick George, 30/8/2013 Available at: http://oppositelock.jalopnik. com/tales-of-an-auto-enthusiast-part-i-1225495906/1227234380. <Accessed 12 April 2014> The Nissan 300ZX. Nissan 300ZX History, Author unknown. Available at: http://www.nissan-300zx.info/history/. <Accessed 12 April 2014>

Z32 Wiki - Production. 2014. Z32 Wiki, Author unknown. Available at:http://z32.wikispaces.com/Production. <Accessed 12 April 2014>

Yamada, Y, 1997. Car Styling Extra Issue. 2nd ed. Huntington Beach, California: Osami SUZUKI.

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