The 'father of the Z', Yutaka Katayama, died earlier this month at the age of 105.
The former Nissan executive was responsible for the firm's successful entry into the US market in the 1960s as well as championing the now legendary 510 saloon, but perhaps his most lasting legacy was giving life to the Z range of sports cars.
Here we remember not only a great man, but also his greatest achievement – the Datsun 240Z.
Photos courtesy of David Vidal www.davidvidalphotography.com
The Datsun 240Z was a resounding success at home and abroad, but was known as the Fairlady in the Japanese domestic market.
Early cars were fitted with Hitachi single-barrel side-draught carburettors, which offered superior performance to later Webers.