"Life without endeavor is like entering a jewel-mine and coming out with empty hands."

 

- Japanese Proverb

 

Thank you Mr. K for a wonderful life, and bestowings us all with the jewels of your inspiration.

 

Blessing of love, respect and peace to you and your family.

 

 

 

Designing great cars...

 

Can we just get a few things straight before we go any further with this?

 

Yutaka Katayama did not design any cars. He wasn't a 'designer', a 'stylist', an engineer or any kind of technician. He was a businessman, a business builder, a salesman with a background in marketing and advertising. 

 

So whilst he was a major figure in Nissan's history, an historically important figure in Japan's 'Showa' era and a great man, he didn't conceive, design or engineer any of Nissan's products.

We all know Goertz did the designing Alan.   RIP MR K

He was also a great Rotte Race Team Manager.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20150221/OEM02/150229967/mr-k-datsun-pioneer-and-father-of-the-z-car-dies-a

I'm not sure if the link I just sent works - my apologies if it does not.

Proof that most anything Japanese last much longer than American. 105 years old, wow.

He did what he loved to do, I think that's the most important thing in life   ..

 

I'm sure he's driving a 240Z in heaven now..

http://www.autonews.com/article/20150221/OEM02/150229967/mr-k-datsun-pioneer-and-father-of-the-z-car-dies-a

http://www.autonews.com/article/20150221/OEM02/150229967/mr-k-datsun-pioneer-and-father-of-the-z-car-dies-at-105

This should work.

18 great-grand children.  Wow!  The man is a legend.

I like the style of the Jalopnik story. http://jalopnik.com/nissans-father-of-the-z-and-rogue-exec-katayama-yutaka-1687214072

I met him at the Classic Datsun Show at Doheny State Beach

I don't think he ever got east of the Mississippi, as far as I know, except for some Skype calls that one of our members, Yoichi Matsumoto, set up for the 2008 ZCON, and a few regional meets. He was a very pleasant man, with a very pleasant sense of humor (very much unlike the stereotype Japanese 'Boss' you see on TV) and I would have liked meeting with him for tea.