The 1986 model year was the last time Nissan cars sold in the U.S. were branded as Datsuns. The corporate identity finally took hold in 1987. But some 15 years earlier, one of their best-selling vehicles in the U.S. was the subcompact Datsun 510. This 1970 station wagon was one of them and is in very good condition. When was the last time you saw one of these, especially not all beat up and worn out? Located in Livermore, California, this one-family holdover is available here on craigslist for an unconfirmed price. The placeholder amount is $11,111, but the seller is unsure of how much it will take for him/her to part with it. Thanks for the heads up, Tony Primo!
When it debuted in Japan in 1968, the car was known as the Bluebird. That little runabout remained in production until 1973. For whatever reasons, the powers-that-be didn’t think the Bluebird moniker would resonate with American buyers, so it became the 510 (though its engine displaced 1.6-liters). The 510 had common engineering for the day, a rear-wheel drive platform with an OHC 4-cylinder engine mounted up front. Four-wheel independent suspension was used along with disc brakes in the front (the latter was just starting to catch on across these shores).
We’re told this Datsun has always lived in California. It does not have three cylinders or FWD as the listing indicates. The mileage is said to be 44,000, indicating that the wagon has been used sparingly over the years. It has an automatic transmission as opposed to the standard 4-speed manual. The body looks solid, wearing a nice repaint from a few years back. It also sports a rare vinyl top which doesn’t seem to have much in the way of luster. The upholstery is said to be new.
Even though the mileage is low, the original 4-banger has been rebuilt and runs great. From all indications, this is a turn-key vehicle that ought to attract a bit of attention at Cars & Coffee from younger tire kickers. Maybe you can get this car for $11,000 (more or less), but the seller needs to make up his/her mind before getting many calls.
A friend of mine actually GAVE me a ’69 510 after he bought a Chevy van for his painting business.
The 510 had been given to him by his neighbor, a medical student who got a nicer car.
I loved that car; it never failed to start, and it ran like a top. Fancy it wasn’t, but for a poor 25-year-old it was decent transportation for the guitars and amps to the gigs. I even drove my ballet dancer girlfriend around in that beat up old Datsun. The 510 is long gone now, but the ballet dancer is still here!
Rex, it sounds like you got the better deal still having the ballet and not the 510 anymore.
Yes, driveinstile, I surely did the better part of the deal! New Year’s Eve, 1986.
Funny, That’s why this one caught my eye. Always looking for the quintessential Gigmobile to haul my Guitars, PA etc. and my little dancer for my only slightly less poor 63 year old self.
A vinyl top? Really?
Yes, Elky, a vinyl top.
Very luxurious, the datsun 510 series.
Wagons had a live axle. Coupes and sedans had a fully independent suspension.
I used to have a 1971 510 sedan many years ago, great little car until Northeast winter salt did a number on it. However the station wagon does not have the sedans’ independent rear suspension. Presumably to accommodate potential heavy loads, a solid axle on leaf springs was used on the 510 wagons.
I remember when the Datsun (Nissan) 510s were a dime a dozen. Time and rust have done them in (It’s nice to see one in this condition).
Vinyl roof is fancy. Easy way to have the only one.
Livermore California . . . I don’t know what I want for it and many mistakes in the listing. Someone who used to work at the Lab who has multiple PhDs :-)
This beats the tar out of yesterday’s ’71 Beetle.
the cars had a subaru diff plus some other bits
I had a 71 521 truck which shared the same engine as the 510. It was easy to work on and durable for a vehicle at that time but I learned auto mechanics from my ownership of it. By the time I was in my first year of college, I had learned how to replace a burned exhaust valve (had an air pump), clutch ( used a stronger Datsun 2000 roadster pressure plate), rebuilt the 4 speed trans ( replaced that a few years later with a 5 speed from a 200 SX), brakes ( should have upgraded the non self adjusting drums to disc), lowered it and installed a header and glass pack. It was fun and cheap to operate. Drove it 22 years. Wish I still had it.
When I was a kid, Mom was looking at the Honey Bee edition of a B210 sedan at the very same dealership-San Jose DATSUN. They were hooking customers to come in with a $2800 price tag brand new. 1976 I think.
That location is now a Dodge dealer while Nissan is up the street.
Where did the time go?
Lovely looking car. My late father had a Datsun PL510 wagon when I was a boy. It wasn’t as nice as this.
Had a 1971 510 wagon back in the day, drove it all over the US with no problems ever, great little car. Fab up a crossmember and bolted in a 5 speed from a 200SX and made a much better freeway flyer.
You think they kept the car because of their 510 phone number?
Yes, Gordo, absolutely! I had a porche 911 targa once. kept it in case of emergency.
Owned same vehicle………had A/C ….ran great…. great engine ……..had to do a head gasket at 81k .Car served me well ……….problem was the body did not hold up RUST . Otherwise I loved this unit!
The listing says the car has three cylinders. I had to look at the spark plug wires I was like what? Or maybe it just runs on three.
These used to be as numerous in Cali as VW bugs. The metal is pretty thin. In fact I would guess that many folks having been spoiled by SUV’s and HUGE trucks would sit in this and they would look down the road and all they could imagine is one of those beasts even nudging this Datsun…in a parking lot, no less:)
I love the Honey Bee, 59Poncho! 🙂
Most don’t remember them Jesse!!!!! They were a little over a dollar a pound lol.