Carmudgeon's Choice: 1971 Datsun 510

I know that I'm going to sound like some old cranky curmudgeon when I say this...but I remember a time when Datsun 510s were appreciated for being a cheap way to drive something that looked like a sedan but handled like a sports car.  Time was not friendly to 510 -- its thin sheet metal reduced weight, but turned to mush in the presence of moisture, and more than a few 510s were stuffed under the tire wall at your nearest race track...so the pool of 510s got smaller, but the cool factor skyrocketed and suddenly people want money like they are a sports car instead of a sedan that drives like a sports car.  Anyway, lemme land this plane...prices for the 510 are high these days, but this next one has a certain combination of speed and flair that even a curmudgeon can appreciate. Find this 1971 Datsun 510 offered for $14888 CAD ($11k USD) in Vancouver, BC via craigslist. Tip from Erik202. 

KA24DE Swapped: 1970 Datsun 510

This next car comes as a tip from Erik202 who writes: I know good 510s are more common in the southern states but here in Canada they are pretty rare. This is probably one of the nicer ones I’ve ever seen listed locally.  Find this 1970 Datsun 510 offered for $16,500 CAD ($12,643 USD) via Kijiji.ca in Red Deer, Alberta, Canada.

Blown GM V6: 1971 Datsun 510

The Datsun 510 is one of those classics that needs little introduction -- it combines simple Japanese styling with a rugged chassis and rock-solid Nissan 4-cylinder power...but it could use a few more cubes hood. This next one has been given some more cubes with a GM V6 swap and some more ZOOM-ZOOM with a supercharged.  Find this 1971 Datsun 510 offered for $10,000 in Oak Harbor, WA via craigslist. Tip from JB1025.

Mucus, Bile & Pus: Three Datsun 510 Wagons

The tips inbox was inundated with great tips this past week (like always!) and tipper FuelTruck delivered a fabulous load of Datsun 510 Wagons -- time to pick your favorite one.  The three examples come in three different colors...mucus, pus, and bile.

The Original Eyesore: 1971 Datsun 510

If you are at all a fan of the 24 Hours of LeMons, you must be familiar with the name Eyesore racing -- this is the (only) team to win the trip to LeMans (in France) after winning the LeMons (the $500 junker race series).  If you are a DT Radio fan, you might have heard legendary Sport Compact Car Editor Dave Coleman talk about the origins of the Eyesore name...and here is your chance to buy the original Eyesore in the rusty flesh.  Find this 1971 Datsun 510 here on eBay bidding for $2,700 with 7 days to go, located in Long Beach, CA.

Holy Guacamole: 1972 Datsun 510 Sedan

The Datsun 510 was released in 1968 as a replacement/upgrade to the older Datsun 411 chassis.  The 510 wasn't considered much of a BMW competitor when new, but time has been kind to the perky little sedan and they are surprisingly valuable today.  Find this 1972 Datsun 510 Sedan here on eBay bidding for $15,400 with a few hours to go, located in Kelowna, BC, Canada.  

Aqua 2-Door: 1969 Datsun 510

If you are in the market for an inexpensive compact 2-door sedan that drives like a modern car, but looks like a classic, the Datsun 510 isn't a bad choice.  Prices have shot up in the past few years, but they are still within reach of the average used car buyer.  Find this 1969 Datsun 510 offered for $13,000 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

Avocado Survivor: 1970 Datsun 510

With the price of vintage junk going through the roof these days (thanks hipsters!!) it might seem a tall order to find a classic car that's everyday driveable, looks cool, and doesn't cost an arm/leg.  However, you might have to deal with steel wheels (with granny caps) and light green paint.  Find this 1970 Datsun 510 offered for $8,500 in Goldendale, WA via craigslist.

13B Rotary Swapped: 1972 Datsun 510

The original Datsun 510 Bluebird was sold in the US market from 1968 through 1973 on a well engineered compact unibody platform that used MacPherson strut suspension up from and semi-trailing arms out back.  Power came from a SOHC 4-banger that was basically Nissan's 240Z engine with two cylinders lopped off, but today's 510 is powered by one of those spinning cam-less/piston-less freaks of nature from Mazda.  Find this 1972 Datsun 510 with Mazda 13B offered for $12,000 in Los Angeles, CA via craigslist.

FrankenSleeper: 1972 Datsun 510 w SR20 Power

The Datsun 510 Bluebird is often lauded as the Japanese BMW 2002, but it might be better than the car that started BMW's dominance of sport luxury.  Frankly the 510 coupe just has better lines and where the 2002's green house looks a bit large, the 510 is spot on aesthetically...however, like any classic car driven by a sub 2 liter pushrod 4-banger, a stock 510 isn't exactly going to seem fast in today's speedy traffic.  Find this 1972 Datsun 510 with SR20 power here on eBay bidding for $1,009 reserve-not-met with a buy-it-now of $7,500 located in Houston, TX.

KA24E Swapped: 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan

The Datsun 510 was produced from 1968-1973  as Nissan's compact sedan offering for worldwide consumption.  But it was more than just another cheap economy car to rust in junk yards a few years later -- it was engineered to be an enthusiasts car, had European inspired sheet metal designed by Nissan's Teruo Uchino, and featured rugged overhead cam L-series power.  Find this 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan with KA24E swap offered for $6,000 in Hayward, CA via craigslist.

Five, Dime, KA24: 1969 Datsun 510 Wagon

DT friend, tipper, and terminal Volvophile Luke sent in a great link to a cheap Datsun 620 pickup with an SR20 swap a few days back, but sadly that craigslist ad expired before we could feature the truck. So I started hunting around for alternative peppy J-tin; lo and behold, I hit the jackpot with a sweet wagon. It needs some work but seems like a steal of a deal for what's included. Find this 1969 Datsun 510 wagon w/ KA24 swap project car for sale in Tracy, CA for $3,200 OBO via craigslist.

SHIFT_classic: 1971 Datsun 510 Wagon

Back when Honda and Toyota were trying to figure out what they should offer for the North American market there was a little company called Nissan that was heavy into the SCCA racing scene with their Datsun brand and sold a decent number of sporty coupes, sedans, and wagons.  Find this 1971 Datsun 510 Wagon offered for $6,000 in Bakersfield, CA via craigslist.  Tip from FuelTruck.

Half Way Done: 1972 Datsun 510

Back when Honda was just starting to export its N600 to the US Market and Toyota was futzing around with its Crown/Corona lineup there was a company named Nissan who was selling a fantastic lineup stateside under the Datsun brand.  In 1968 Nissan slaughtered its Japanese competition in the USA with the B10 Sunny, 510, Sports 1600, 520 Pickup, and Patrol SUV -- it was an all star lineup that makes today's Nissan offerings seem laughable by comparison.  I can't imagine that someone will want (or be able to find parts to maintain) a 2015 Nissan Maxima in 2058, but you will probably still see 510s on the road.  Like this 1972 Datsun 510 offered for $4,250 in Bellflower, CA via craigslist.

5k: Bentecono Box: 1972 Datsun 510 4 Door

The Datsun 510 (known as the Bluebird outside the US & Canada) was a compact Japanese sedan with econobox roots, but a surprisingly sporty attitude.  The combination of low curb weight, decent engine, stiff chassis (relatively speaking), and rear wheel drive was an instant recipe for fun.  Find this 1972 Datsun 510 4 Door offered for $8,500 in Fremont, CA via craigslist. Tip from Gianni. 

10k: KA24DE Power: 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan

The Datsun 510/Bluebird was a small sedan (2-door, 4-door, or wagon) built in Japan and sold from 1968 through 1973.  Their boxy good looks have stood the test of time better than most other Datsuns from the same time period, and if you like the 510 sedan's style you'll dig this next feature.  Find this 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan with KA24DE power offered for $8,500 in Palm Springs, CA via craigslist. 

5k: Hold Me Closer, Tinny Datsun: 1969 Datsun 510

At 2,200 pounds and 160 inches long (15 inches shorter than a 2015 Versa), the original 510 was not a substantial car. But it had a substantial impact. Simply constructed, with a stout four-cylinder powering the rear wheels, it offered budget-BMW 2002 fun while maintaining daily usability. Thanks to rust, most have dissolved away like Alka Seltzer in warm water. Surviving examples go under the gavel at high prices, or under the knife for high horsepower. So it's nice to see a healthy version (with the later L20B engine) for cheap. Find this 1969 Datsun 510 coupe two-door sedan for sale in Eugene, OR for $5,400 via craigslist.