5k: Poor Man’s 2002: 1972 Datsun 510 2-Door
The Datsun 510 has for years been considered the “poor man’s” BMW 2002, but the 510 prices have risen recently, particularly the sporty looking two-door version. Today’s example is not a original-condition low-mile survivor and has does have some rust, but the price is good and recent work done almost exceeds the asking price. Find this 1972 Datsun 510 Bluebird 2-Door offered for $5,000 in San Jose, CA via craigslist. Tip from Kaibeezy.
If this is your first visit to Daily Turismo, allow me to introduce you to the DT motto: Nihil est melius expensa pecunia domino priori vehiculo. Translated into the modern English vernacular, this reads There is no better money spent on a carriage than the previous owner’s.
The Datsun 510 is as a lightweight sedan running a longitudinally mounted L16 inline-4 (1.6 liters if you couldn’t tell from the name) that is rated at 92 horsepower. This particular car uses a 5-speed manual gearbox out of a 280Z and a few custom interior pieces. It is a work in progress, but appears to be drivable as-is while you sort the problems.
See a better classic JDM style 2-door for less? tips@dailyturismo.com
Awesome bungee cord battery hold down….
Why you would ever put in gauges/dash from a 620 Datsun is beyond me. Those front seat also make me think the seller ate a lot of lead paint as a youngster. My first car was a 2door 72' 510. Slotted the rear cross member, running on BRE suspension, burly sway bars, paddy hopkirk seats, roll bar, harness, 32/36 DGV (looks like what this car has), roadster clutch, headers, and 195/55/13 P7s on centerlines. Certainly not the fastest car in a straight line, but get into the twisty sections, keep your foot buried to the floor and keep steering.
Well it's gone from Craigslist now, so he either had second thoughts or someone made him an offer. Too bad, I wanted to see the (better) pics.