BLOZ UP Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 (edited) We'll miss you. http://startribune.com/world/293146791.html 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. Edited February 21, 2015 by BLOZ UP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
We Bad Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 I met Mr K at the 1995 Z Car Convention in Atlanta. "Thank you for building the Z car", I said. "No, thank you for buying it", was his reply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnosez Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 I had the opportunity and pleasure to meet him at several Z conventions and to be his driver a few times. Doing much more than the speed limit on a local highway at one point he just shook his head and asked if it was possible to go faster, faster, John, he said. I complied and he turned to me with that famous smile and all was right with the world. We owe him big time for what he did.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossman Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 R.I.P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Gadsby Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 I was literally just talking about him yesterday with my wife. Explaining how he would come to the US for our stuff and also put on a thing for a select few over there. Thanks for all you did for our community Sir, may you RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLATA Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 (edited) I have his signature on one of the inspection doors of my Z, the former owner met him at a Z convention years ago , good to have a piece of DATSUN history.Thank you Mr K for the Z and the 510 . RIP. Edited February 22, 2015 by PLATA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted February 22, 2015 Share Posted February 22, 2015 The "Faster Faster" urging was not only on the street. On a drivealong on a track with a well known (though younger) IMSA racer the driver climbed out of the car saying "I was going as fast as I could and he just kept saying "FASTER! FASTER!" I thought he would be like most other car executives and start screaming to SLOW DOWN!" Indeed, Mr. K was decidedly NOT like 'most other car executives'! Godspeed Mr. K. Enjoy driving with your friends in the Togue in the sky! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BLOZ UP Posted February 27, 2015 Author Share Posted February 27, 2015 Blipshift has brought back their Z shirt with a Mr. K quote: http://blipshift.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skerry Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Thanks Bloz, I had to order one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skerry Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Thanks Bloz, I had to order one of those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cyrus Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 I had no idea. I read about the rally racing he did. Pouring gasoline of the clutch all race long as oil was dripping on it. They finished not due to the speed but rather the reliability. I was also amazed that he got sent to LA (Gardina?) to launch the Datsun dist. This was due to him being a "trouble maker" in the company. Never met him. I thought he as dead awhile ago. RIP, cheers, Mr Yutaka Katayama! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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