Randy Rodriguez freely admits he lives a charmed life: After owning 10 Nissans/Datsuns, including a beloved 1980 Datsun 280Z, the young Surrey, B.C., native's sketches were chosen as the basis for the design of the all-new 2009 370Z.

The 32-year-old designer at Nissan's California design studio was at the Canadian International Auto Show to discuss his long-time passion for the firm's Z cars. "Even with a newer Z now, I still drive an old Z — it's the first car I drove, all my high-school years were in a Z, and I just missed the sounds, the smells and the feel of it."

Born just outside Vancouver to Filipino parents, the production version of Rodriguez's initial shark-themed design for the 2009 370Z production car goes on sale this month. "I wanted to bring more of the smaller, 240Z feel to it, which is quite a risk, because most cars get larger and heavier," said Rodriguez. "Like the shark nose, I was trying to make it more ferocious, give it more passion."

Although he's happy living in California now with his wife and daughter, with a place on the beach, room to park his motorcycle by his desk, and available beach volleyball and tennis courts at the office, he still says he enjoys the international aspects of his work, and would welcome a move to Europe or Japan one day.

"I'd like to work on the next one (Z)," he says hopefully.

"The last one lasted six to seven years, this one may have a longer life span as well," Rodriguez said.

 

Californian or Canadian.

 

no wonder!!, its f@#$%!!! ugly!....just kidding!

 

balakbayang!!






damn wtf did I just say?

 

^^
im filipino but what is that?lol

 

pu tung !!

 

that would explain the new headlights....

 

balakbayan is a term used for a filipino that went abroad (overseas to work normally)... hence the balakbayan box.

^that's talagang crazy!

 

I dunno guys, a stock 370z is something you can definitely live with....

but check out this rendering of a possible widebody and tell me you didn't drool out your mouth a little.... it blows away any 350z I've ever seen

 

^i have to admit... that looks badass.

 

oh you mean "BALIKABAYAN".......now i get it

 

Hah I only know a few tagalog words...

"Balikbayan!" <~~~ my favorite i dunno why.
"Pan De Sal!"
"Oh tot!"
"Ta Ba!"
"Ai Naco!"
"Eggot!"

"Billybanthalasbeeeeeegaaaas!!" I don't think it means anything but i heard someone say it...roughly translates to "Let's go to Vegas!!!" ???

 

wow that is amazing looking!

Represent!1

 

MABUHAY ANG PINOY!

so 350z was by the indian dude, anjay panchal
370Z is by a filipino dude.

next gen, will be designed by who from which country? hmmm... im guessing chinese?

 

Ukinam! hataw ang pinoy!

 

Nice, Pinoy pride.

 

drooled a lil? I just skeeted on my pants.

 

interview with rodriguez

he sounds pretty nervous lolz
http://www.auto123.com/en/multimedia/videos/876837

 

^^ only if he would of finished a complete thought i would of continued to listen to him.

 

Hopefully he doesn't design the next Z. I'd like to ask him what he was thinking when he gave the 370Z a buttplug and those hideous lights.