Datsun 510's are cool! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

240Demon · #1 10-28-2003, 08:59 PM

I just had to say that the Datsun PL510 is a cool car!!!!!!!!

Botnst · #2 10-28-2003, 10:29 PM

One of the best cars I've owned was a '74 710 wagon. Wish I still had it--that was the last car I understood.

Glen · #3 10-28-2003, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 240Demon
I just had to say that the Datsun PL510 is a cool car!!!!!!!!

I couldn't agree more!

Here's a picture (circa 1989) of my '69 2-door:

william rogers · #4 10-29-2003, 12:36 AM

There are a lot of them that have been restored or modified in Eugene OR . I think that they were one of the first Japanese cars along with the 240 Z that started our long love affair with their cars.Sure must have put the worry on the BMW big wigs.I had two 810's and a 71 240 D very nice tough cars...........
William Rogers.....

wbain5280 · #5 10-29-2003, 02:06 AM

Yea, they were great cars with IRS and tough engines.

RG5384 · #6 10-29-2003, 03:16 AM

that car looks awesome, i'd love to own one of those someday. Looks kinda like a 2002, which is another car i dream to own one day. How much do they normally go for?
Ryan

axlechassis · #7 10-29-2003, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Botnst
One of the best cars I've owned was a '74 710 wagon. Wish I still had it--that was the last car I understood.

Was'nt that the wagon with the Z car engine or was it the 810?

#8 10-29-2003, 09:38 AM

i see several at historic or vintage races.

its really exciting to see a group of 510s, 2002s, minis, 914s and other similar vintage iron on the track together.

i highly recommend catching an event featuring vintage autos.

ive seen cobras, GTPs, and many other very exciting and rare cars on the track at these events, and nothing compares.

check out 510again.com or yahoo "datsun 510"

Glen · #9 10-29-2003, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by RG5384
that car looks awesome, i'd love to own one of those someday. Looks kinda like a 2002, which is another car i dream to own one day. How much do they normally go for?
Ryan

The 510 was affectionately known as the "poor man's 2002"

A properly modified 510 will out handle just about anything! There are tons of engine mods available and plenty of parts-bin interchangability options.

Just keep in mind that the 510 was designed in the '60s to be an inexpensive, entry-level people hauler. It's not particularly good in stock form from a performance standpoint. It's chassis is not very stiff and like most cars from that era is prone to rust in several places. There is a HUGE following though...almost cult-like...so there's plenty of support from fellow "dimer's"

rickg · #10 10-29-2003, 10:49 AM

Both my brother and I had 510's. Good little cars. Liked to blow head gaskets tho'. Aluminum head on a cast iron block. Yank the head off, get it resurfaced, slam it back on, and run the snot out of it some more. For best performance, you want to find an engine out of the same era pickup. They had the L20 engine(2.0 liter). The cars only came with the L16 & L18 far as I know. Swap the oil pan and oil pump pick-up tube, and it's a bolt-in swap. Oh yes, there were two different styles of exhaust manifolds too. Different heads for each. Round exhaust port, and square-ish ports. There used to be lots of aftermarket carb and manifold setups for these cars. I suppose there still is.
A friend of mine out ran a police in one once. He knew how to take corners in the thing!

Judge · #11 10-29-2003, 02:56 PM

I had three 510's. Four if you count one I never got on the road. It was a fun car, but I think its time has passed. These cars were made from about 69 -73, and lots and lots were sold for about $2,000 new. Years later there were lots of parts available, but now I see very few of the 510's in the junk yard. Therefore, I think the time has passed for dimes.

In a 510 you could get a lot of car for a cheap price, and also have a good choice as a hobbist to work on ones own cars. In some ways I see my 300D in the same light of lot of car for cheap and nice to work on, except that there is no way to build a 300D into a performance car.

Botnst · #12 10-29-2003, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by axlechassis
Was'nt that the wagon with the Z car engine or was it the 810?

Mine was 4-cyl and I think, 1600 cc. Wasn't the orig. Z a 6?

Mark V · #13 10-29-2003, 05:14 PM

I've owned many '02s just a ton of fun basic, no frills car that you just drive like hell. I've always wanted a 510 though, I could count on one hand the number I've seen around here in the last 20 years. I have kept an eye out for them for that long. The bodies on those things did not stand up to a Canadian winter or more specifically the salt they insist on throwing everywhere. Looks unlikly I'll ever own one. As for a poor man's '02, I don't think the two were that far apart in list price, but yeah they sure are kindred spirits.

rickg · #14 10-29-2003, 05:16 PM

Yeah, the 'Z' always had a 6. But I too remember one of the sedans used the same engine. Was supposed to be a real sleeper. Maybe it was the 810.

Greg in Oz · #15 10-29-2003, 07:09 PM

In Oz they were badged and known as the Datsun 1600. We got the 4 door sedans and a few wagons but I have never seen that 2 door. They were popular here and well used examples were often snapped up for club motor sport and rallies. Whilst I never owned one, I helped mates work on and modify theirs for competition. They had strong engines (much of it copied from MB) but bodies rusted. The independent rear suspension (MB inspired) gave them good handling, especially for rallies. Performance was good, especially if fitted with the 1800 with a pair of twin barrel, side draft Webers, extractors, a five speed box and a shorter diff. With suitable strengthening of the suspension and body they were unbreakable in rallies and I navigated in many rallies in several. On the track those same modified cars were good competition for my '72 Mini Clubman GT (think Austin/Morris Mini Cooper S with different nose). I believe the 510 to be the best car Nissan/Datsun ever produced for its time. All good memories...