| With the clock ticking ahead of the return of the much-loved Datsun brand, CEO Carlos Ghosn stopped by the company's Zama heritage warehouse, home to almost 80 years of automotive history. Just a few weeks after Nissan announced the upcoming return of the much-loved Datsun brand, CEO Carlos Ghosn stopped by the company's heritage warehouse for an unrivaled slice of automotive history. Home to 400 Datsun and Nissan vehicles, ranging from the 1933 Datsun 12 to electric prototypes used during LEAF development, the giant garage in Zama is a treasure trove of car nostalgia. In a timely reminder of how the company built its name around the world, the CEO went for an indoor spin in a 1938 Datsun 17 Phaeton, still rolling almost 75 years after its maiden voyage. The Zama facility relies on a network of former Nissan staff and volunteers to keep about 70% of the former production models drivable. Golden oldies such as the 1967 Datsun Sunny 1000 Sports Deluxe bring back happy memories, says former Nissan Executive Vice President Nobuo Okubo, a onetime chassis engineer on the car. "When I joined Nissan in 1964, almost half a century ago, this car was the first car that I dealt with," said Okubo. "About 80% of my memories are about this car." The CEO's cruise in the Datsun 17 took him past many of the stars of Nissan's history, including the 2007 GT-R he used to own, rally cars, and a collection of classic Zs including a former Kanagawa prefecture police car. With Zama currently ... |
