Nissan Shows Off

Each year Nissan shows off it’s cars from the past and present, hoping to make an impact on the Nashville community.

Aziza Jackson, DI Multimedia Scholar

The cars displayed were: the 1970 DATSUN 240ZS, the 1970 DATSUN 240Z Bonneville Salt Flats Car, 1980 DATSUN 280ZX, 1986 NISSAN 300ZX, 1995 NISSAN 300 ZX SMZ Steve Millen Ltd. Edition, and the 2002 NISSAN 35OZ.
A 1974 260Z, owned by Yutaka Katayama, a former top Nissan executive for North America, also is included in the exhibit. Katayama , 98 and living in Tokyo, is known as the “Father of the Z car.”
However, Katayama, was among the naysayers who believed the company was making a big mistake by moving its headquarters from the prestigious Los Angeles, Calif. Market, according to a New York Times article.
The move in 2006 put Nissan’s headquarters closer to its manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tenn.
“I was kind of excited about it [Nissan’s move] because my company helped build their building,” said Tony Easley, a Motor Museum visitor celebrating his 30th anniversary with his wife Patty.
“It also gives more places for people to work, so, of course it’s a good thing,” Patty Easley said.