Look at any vintage racing photos, and you''ll undoubtedly see at least one Datsun 510 just like this in the thick of the pack. Two things happened as a result of their awesome performance on the track: one, the car remains insanely popular with club racers, and two, there are virtually no clean, stock ones like this left. The car''s simple, handsome lines are instantly recognizable, and they have aged well over the past four decades. No doubt inspired by European sport sedans, the Datsun''s upright, boxy shape is surely part of why it is so endearing-nothing so square should be so quick. This one''s strikingly straight bodywork is completely unmolested. There are no fender rubs from a close call, no signs of rust from a wet climate, and everything fits together with the quality that made these cars so durable. Of course, the ultra-cool 1970s shade of mustard yellow only helps, and looks exactly right on the car''s sharply creased sheetmetal. There''s a soft shine, not the bright glare of modern urethane, but a more period-correct look that makes it look like an extra in a Steve McQueen movie. All the original emblems and trim are intact, too, including the slender bumpers and Datsun script on the front fenders and decklid. Simplicity was the name of the game for Japanese cars in the late 1960s, and it was how they made such inroads in the US. Not stripped, but certainly basic, the 510 delivers bucket seats and a surprisingly spacious rear bench, and even six-footers can get comfortable. The gauges are nestled into a hard plastic dash which won''t be mistaken for upscale, but the condition is astounding-these cars simply didn''t survive like this one has. The 4-speed shifter falls easily to hand and has a light action, and it''s kind of cool to see a stick shift in a 4-door sedan like this. The original radio remains in the dash, but has been supplanted by an AM/FM/cassette unit cleverly stashed in the glove box. In back, the trunk offers plenty of space with no signs of rust or accident damage. The real reason these cars were so popular is because of the gutsy 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, which makes 96 horsepower in street tune and is good for 100 MPH. The other part of the equation, of course, is rear wheel drive with an agile all-independent suspension that is comfortable on the road and unshakable when it gets twisty. Combined with the car''s light weight and rigid construction, it''s no surprise that they were slick little racers. This one appears completely stock, without even a tuned exhaust header or hi-performance carburetor. Again, that simply speaks to how rare it truly is to find one this original. The only notable modification is the period-perfect Rota wheels which wear 195/50/15 rubber that look huge on the little car. Vintage racing fans, this is your ticket to big fun in a small package. Call today!
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