Remembering Yoshihiko Matsuo: designer of iconic Datsun 240Z

A moment’s silence for legendary car designer, Yoshihiko Matsuo, who passed away on July 11 2020 at the ripe age of 86. When it comes to cars and design, the Jury’s usually split on looks and capability. But when it comes to Matsuo’s Datsun 240Z, there’s no denying the unanimity that rises to greet this iconic piece of machinery.

Matsuo was a genius who strived for perfection, and Mikaniki are honouring him today.

Hard at work

It was the 60s and Europe dominated the sports car market. Lamborghini Miura, Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona, that was hot stuff. It got the boys at Nissan thinking: we need an affordable sports car that can challenge these European titans. But who can pull this off?

Their answer was in a 30-something-year-old master craftsman, who had a massive hand in redesigning the Bluebird 410 sedan. The lad was gifted, and it was a no brainer. Nissan appointed the young and ambitious Yoshihiko Matsuo as lead designer for the original 240Z, and the rest was history.

Taking up the challenge

The challenge for Matsuo and his team was to design something with production in mind. Not a blank canvas as such, but that wasn’t going to hold him back.

He made “countless individual decisions” to build a sleek front-engined speedster bit by bit around a 2.4L inline-six. And boy did it pay off. At a modest $3500 ($23,000 today), you got a gorgeous two-door coupe, packed with 150 ponies. Mission accomplished.

A new favourite

It was an instant hit, selling around 150,000 units in the United States through 1973. Heck, Nissan Z enthusiasts still gather for an annual ZCCA International Z Car Convention, to honour the 240Z and its more powerful successors, the 260Z and the 280Z.

Matsuo put Nissan on the automotive map, and gave “Made in Japan” a whole new meaning.

Beautiful and durable

This stunner has taken its place in the hearts of petrolheads, and has proved to be a lush driving experience for anybody who’s ever had the pleasure of owning one.

And it’s not your flimsy, keep-it-out-of-the-rain sports car either. It’s  been driven in the East Africa Safari Rally (no Miura can take it that rough) and at the hands of Shekhar Mehta in 1973, the 240Z even ended up winning the 21st East African WRC.

Let’s all thank Yoshihiko Matsuo for bringing us this thoughtful, timeless classic that won over fans and critics alike.

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