God Speed Mr. K

Nostril Cheese · 02-21-2015, 11:35 AM

Talk about a full life.

Nissan's 'Father Of The Z,' And Rogue Exec Katayama Yutaka Dies At 105

Racerbvd · Racerbvd's Garage

R.i.p.

Jim Richards · 02-21-2015, 01:54 PM

As a former owner of multiple Z cars, good job, Mr. K! RIP.

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

RIP. The Z cars are real icons.

onewhippedpuppy · 02-21-2015, 02:02 PM

RIP, cool guy and a cool story.

slow&rusty · 02-22-2015, 05:28 AM

Rest in Peace, to the visionary yet humble man that brought us a car that changed and shaped Sports Cars and made the rest of the world stand-up and pay attention to the Japanese.

pavulon · 02-22-2015, 05:59 AM

Talent hits a target no one else can hit.
Genius hits a target no one else can see.

enzo1 · 02-22-2015, 10:11 AM

I had a 240, 260, 300... the 240 was like the one pictured .Beautiful car for its time and a great engine.

Nostril Cheese · 02-22-2015, 10:14 AM

I really enjoyed mine...

zelrik911 · zelrik911's Garage

I love this quote from Katayama - it sums up what I think of my sports cars & what my son thinks of his robot transport. I taught my son how to ride a bike, ski & sail, but I failed on the 'love of sporting cars'. (I have a couple of "nissans" in my stable next to my 911).

" Waxing philosophical, Katayama says the bigger concern is that car companies have strayed from the erstwhile ideal of replicating man's relationship with the horse.

"Man has lived with the horse for 5,000 years. It's in our DNA," he says. "The fun of driving cars is the same as riding a horse. We need a car that is like riding on horseback.

We are making robots. Robots don't like human control."

Jays72T · 02-22-2015, 04:57 PM

My first car was a 240z and had a few after that one, still love those cars.
RIP Mr. K and thanks.

thamlin000 · thamlin000's Garage

Checking in as a former Datsun Z owner. Sad to hear this.

Hope to have another one of Mr K's cars in the future.

lgb240 · 02-25-2015, 03:21 PM

I've been to several Z car conventions over the years ... Mr K. made the trip over from Japan well into his late 80's / early 90's. Was always gracious and humble. A truly inspiring person to hear speak. I was impressed with his energy even in his later years.

Hats off to the father of the Z (and Roadster, 510) ... I've been 'enjoying the ride' for going on 29 years...

Baz · Baz's Garage

From Hagerty

RIP Mr. K - you will be missed!