When we think of the Datsun 510, it’s easy to picture the 70’s-era model, usually a ’73 or a ’74, tearing up the road course and clad in the familiar BRE Datsun colors. Or, in street form, lowered over some aggressive tires and bouncing off the curves of a mountain road. Less often do we remember the final gasp of the 510, which would become a four-eyed hatchback like this one here on craigslist, listed for $4,000 or best offer.
A far cry from its original incarnation, eh? The hatchback body style was becoming more of a fixture on American roads, particularly among Japanese imports like Datsun and Mitsubishi. Needless to say, I doubt this was the car that convinced Americans to give up their big trunk-loving ways. This 510 is in surprisingly good condition for its age, but there is rust blossoming along the fenders and doors on the driver’s side, as seen here.
This example retains a better-than-expected interior, and thankfully, it is equipped with a manual transmission. The dash is said to be crack free and though there are no tears in the seats, I find it hard to believe this economy car didn’t come with anything other than gray-tweed cloth buckets. Perhaps the vinyl was an aftermarket installation, or maybe the original selling dealer decided to spiff things up a bit on their own.
Here’s the problem: despite being in a minority of 80s-era Japanese economy cars that has survived mostly unscathed, rust repair is still a must if you wish to protect your investment. While the rust seen here is not necessarily terminal, it needs to be addressed sooner than later. With rust near the bottom of the car, I’d want to know just how far it has wrapped underneath. Anyone think the unloved 510 deserves a chance?
Leave a Reply