In recent months we’ve been fighting a battle to debunk the commonly circulated “myths” that Count Albrecht Goertz designed some of Japan’s most famous sports cars, like the Toyota 2000GT and Nissan Fairlady Z/Datsun 240Z. Our own JNCers have spoken out against other Goertz claims like the CSP311 Silvia. We’ve gotten some flack for our stance, and our recent trip to Japan offered us a rare opportunity to do some research on the ground.
Well, it’s time to issue a correction. We are humbled and embarrased to report that we were wrong. Goertz did indeed design all three cars. Not only that, he also held the pen for numerous other famous nostalgics of the era. During his contract with Nissan, he also designed what would become the 1968 Nissan “hakosuka” Skyline. Toyota was so impressed with his work on the 2000GT that they asked him to style the 1968 KE10 Corolla and 1967’s flagship Century. Mazda, which wasn’t going to sit by while Nissan and Toyota stole all the glory, then commissioned the design of the 1967 Cosmo Sports from Goertz.
We pride ourselves on accuracy, and apologize sincerely that our previous writings misinformed so thoroughly. You will never hear the names Nozaki or Matsuo ever with respect to the 2000GT and S30 Z on JNC again.
Also, April Fools. Thanks to Burabuda for this idea!
Good one! π
Had me going for a minute there…
That was wrong. lol
Haha.. had me for a second. I was like… wtf? Haha.
Wow, you guys are the first ones to get me…… thanks π
cue Alan in 5…4… … wait …. Oh I see what you did there.. π
I don’t know what to believe any more.
damn you! you had me going there for a moment! hahaha.
FTW! ……. wait what?
I knew it was a dupe as soon as I saw the headline, but it made me smile nonetheless. Well played.
You had me going there for a while.
I thought I’d dive into my 50-year collection of R&T (that I started when I was in 8th grade back in ’53) and start looking for articles. I was positive the mentioned cars were Goertz-designed, but never quite got around to digging in the archives…
As an aside, Goertz also designed the absolutely drop-dead gorgeous BMW 507. While out of character considering his “taste” in cars – even Elvis owned one when he served in Germany.
John Surtees is a big proponent of the beautiful 507. And he can actually drive π
As for Goertz, I’m glad you guys didn’t debunk my belief that he styled the Veg-O-Matic! A true classic.
Nice one, guys.
Geeze it’s not even April Fools anymore and you guys still got me lol. In fact you guys were the only ones that got me at all.
you got me!
Jaysus, you guys got me alright. I was thinking but how could it be?
Still a wonderful image of a 2000GT all the same.
Totally got me!!
Wow that was mean…
Wow that was mean… you got me!!!!
awww shizzz. u got me on the tata/prince joke and now this