Here's the thing TCL, those with contacts at Nissan North America can't really say anything because they are, unfortunately, last to know when the news is fresh. The key people at NNA know but those that just work there and have nothing to do directly with the Z, won't know until well after the fact. It's not an insult, it's common sense. Seedy's contact is the guy that runs the garage at Nissan. You know... where they store the cars like the vintage Z's etc. A great job, no question... but definately not in the loop when it comes to what stage the Z is at.

When Seedy posts from his contacts, the news they have is already old news in the Z loop, but not to those in the public because of course, others haven't heard anything major yet. I don't mean to dog on ya Seedy, I'm just stating what I have been told.

I too had two contacts at Nissan North America, that has since grown to three people. I know one works in the Z program directly, the other two I am not sure what their capacity is with the company and to be fair, they could be accountants with zero knowledge. They'd know what is told when a memo goes around. Not really what I'd call a worthy contact. (haha) Although, my NNA contacts have told me a couple interesting nuggets that I am waiting for confirmation on before saying anything. I don't want to irk the powers that be.

My Japanese contact Takahashi (not his real name but the name I am allowed to call him) works at Nissan in Japan and he's been more than legit on pretty much every single thing he has told me. He came through with photos of the car before they were made public, he came through with hard data on the car first and now, he's also given me more stuff that I have posted (such as hp/0-60 times etc) and a few other things.

I had a lengthy talk with Nissan the other night. A great talk actually, and in that talk I told the person I spoke with that I would not break the shroud of silence before the press embargo date. Nissan has asked that all info waits until July 3rd before it's posted so until then, I will no longer post/confirm/deny anything regarding the car unless it's something I have already commented/mentioned and or is already widely known to be "public" (meaning out there already).

Has production started on the car? My Japanese source told me he saw the line in motion, Z's being created and a flurry of people doing things as well. He didn't mention if these cars were left or right hand drive (which would tell us if they were bound for over here or for the Japanese market to some degree, or at least make the guessing of where they are going easier) and he has yet to get back to me.

I have heard from multiple US sources that the line has not started yet, but then again, these US sources are not in Japan. They hear what is told to them and unless they are in the immediate loop, when they hear the info it is already old news to those in the loop. Again, not to dog on anyone, just common sense.

I've heard several reasons why the car is not in production, but when I confront my people about it, they all tell me not to worry about it and that all will be revealed soon. I look at this as a buying time technique and it sort of troubles me but at the same time, they know if they say the wrong thing and it gets out, it could mean their job. NNA knows now that there are leaks in their company and needless to say, they're pissed. I know that the people that are leaking info would be fired if caught.

Thus, I can't see anyone at NNA saying a whole lot of anything. Makes perfect sense to me, maybe I don't get it though. I understand a great deal of stuff goes into the launch of a car and again, I am NOT stating that these cars that are being created right now are for US shores. There are far more 350Z's in the US right now than most know about, and these cars are press mules used for the writing of articles for us, the public. Now ask yourself this... would Nissan give the press a car that had issues or wasn't up to specs knowing full well if the press isn't thrilled, the car gets a bad review and then sales don't quite do what Nissan is hoping?

I don't think so but hey, what do I know? haha... I'm just a web geek.

Jay

 

TCL... I honestly have no idea man. I was told that there were some big surprises, some big news coming. I have a pretty good idea what it is but to say it before July 3rd would be the wrong thing for me, or Seedy, or anyone else to do. Sorry man, I would say if I knew for certain and more importantly, I was allowed to say.

I just re-read my post above and it really seemed like I was ripping on Seedy. I wasn't meaning to and Seedy, if you take it as I am, I'm sorry. That was not meant. For all I know you know the entire Z division at Nissan and you go out for beer and wings every other night with the crew. (haha, although most likely not these days with their work load)

I posted and then left to see a movie with my wife and the entire time, I couldn't help but feel like some spoiled little ***** that was getting pissy because the attention spotlight wasn't on me or something. That's not the case at all here so if I offended you or spoke out against you in a way that was untrue, you have my apologies. Your sources tell you the line hasn't started to move, my NNA sources tell me the same thing so either it hasn't started to move for the North American cars or our sources are both out of the loop.

-j-

 

I do not know if this means your car is coming first, haha, I have no info on when the cars set sail for North America. He told me that that have 30 or so Z's to build for the police forces over there and those might be first.

Hi Jmanz:

I heard a local California TV news broadcast a couple of days ago report that the California Highway Patrol CHP, has ordered and will get delivered shortly, 73 Camaro Z28s. They will use them to catch the fastest speeders and other such vehicles. They said the top speed was 163mph. They might have trouble catching some of the 350z's around the State, if put to the test, not that any 350Z owner would ever exceed the speed limit.
Rocketscientist