20k: F20C Powered: 1972 Datsun 510 Sedan
The Datsun 510 (known as the Bluebird outside the US & Canada) was
the Japanese equivalent of the BMW 2002 from parent company Nissan.
Like the 2002, they were built by the boatload, rusted instantly when
exposed to moisture and languished in a price range that put them just
inches from the crusher for decades. However, recently they have seen some price appreciation and even versions with unoriginal power-trains see some love. Find this 1972 Datsun 510 Sedan with F20C engine offered for $21,00 in Irvine, CA via craigslist. Tip from Brian.
The Datsun 510 is a classic by any standards, and while the 4-door sedan version is arguably the least desirable (compared to the 2-door or wagon) this one is decent looking. The 510’s boxy exterior always looks nice in a light paint scheme like this sky blue.
Gone is the miserable boat anchor that originally powered this sedan and in its place is a F20C engine from a Honda S2000. Stock power for the 2.0 liter naturally aspirated 9000 rpm screaming DOHC VTEC masterpiece is 240 horsepower, but more surprisingly more power is available with simple tuning, intake and exhaust changes.
See a cooler swapped 510 for less? tips@dailyturismo.com
I heard once that rally racers at the time preferred the four doors because they were more rigid and handled better.
Looks pretty clean under the hood and body. That much power would be great as well. I have seen this conversion go for a bit less even on the 2-door option. Yeah, rally and road racers initially preferred the 4-door for stiffness as the front door was smaller opening than the 2-door. Later a good cage would take up any slack as in Rally you were not limited to 6 points on the cage design. I had a ton of cross bracing and tie-ins to the suspension points which when needed, really worked. And yes into the trees at 70+, you really want that stiff and cross-braced cage!
4doors makes it an ugly grandma car imo
As a general rule I'll take a 4 door over the two-holer, though if restoring its more parts to fix and make fit.
510 wagon got a buggy spring stick axle instead of IRS.