There's an interesting story behind the 19-inch sport package wheels
on the 2009 Nissan 370Z
. Randy Rodriguez, the Nissan designer who penned the original sketches for the 370Z (and who showed up to our Z-car party
in his 240Z), owns an MV Agusta F4-750
, you see. He stores it behind his desk at Nissan Design America in San Diego.
"A digital modeler showed me the eBay auction for a stripped MV's frame, engine and suspension," says Rodriguez. "This was in the morning that I first saw the ad, and then I blasted to Sacramento in a truck and by late evening it was parked beside my desk at work.
"Within 3 months I had it mostly complete and running. I got parts for it from all over the world.
"In doing that, I got really familiar with the various parts of the bike, and the 19-inch wheels for the 370Z were inspired by the triple clamp on the MV (and the one on the Ducati 999). I morphed it into the spoke, which became part of the wheel."
The MV isn't just an office sculpture, either. "I totally ride it hard -- when it's safe to do so of course," Rodriguez says.
crowb says:
10:56 AM, 03/31/09
This is the kind of guy you want designing cars, am I right?
desmolicious says:
01:09 PM, 03/31/09
The photo of the close up of the triple clamp is from the Ducati 999. The one next to it is from the MV. The MV's one is solid, while the Ducati's one is machined out. I guess he could claim that the Ducati one inspired him, but unless the Nissan is running on solid wheels I can't see how the MV one could!
The MV is a gorgeous bike. I think that Rodriguez just wants peeps to know he rides an MV and has such a cool job that he gets to park it next to his desk! Very sweet.
redliner says:
07:37 AM, 04/ 1/09
If you stare at the 370z's spokes for a bit, you can see the letter 'z' at the point where the spoke meets the rim.