The Nissan Bluebird was one of the cars that helped the Japanese manufacturer begin to capture market share in the U.S. On these shores, the cars were known as the Datsun 510 and 610 as it wasn’t until the 1980s that Nissan sold cars under that brand. This 1974 610 wagon appears to be a nice survivor and comes with a cargo area full of spare parts. Located in Los Osos, California, this import is available here on craigslist for $8,500.
In Japan, the Bluebird had an incredible run of 47 years (1955-01). The 610 version came out in 1971 and was one of Nissan’s earliest products to adopt a popular styling appearance called “coke bottle.” The 610 got a facelift in 1974, which would be reflected in the seller’s wagon with the bigger bumpers of the day. The 610 was a larger, better-trimmed automobile than its predecessor, the 510. Early versions of the car were said to be noisy by American standards, so the 1974s had a new engine and more sound-deadening materials. Until the 1977 introduction of the six-cylinder 810, the 610 was Datsun’s largest car sold in North America.
This 610 wagon is said to be a one-owner vehicle with 75,000 miles. Said owner was a mechanic so the car was well-maintained over its life. The paint is original and looks to be tidy and the body straight. No known rust is there which was a common problem for these cars. The seller rates the interior an 8 out of 10 but only provides a photo of the back seat, so we guess the other 2 points get deducted upfront. The photos provided show two different sets of plastic wheel covers.
We’re told it starts and runs great, ready for a trip. While no under-hood photo is provided either, we’re guessing the powerplant is a 2.0-liter inline-4 that was rated at 94 hp with all the devices added on to reduce mileage and make for less drivable cars in the mid-1970s. The seller says the transmission is an automatic. When was the last time you saw one of these cars and it wasn’t a rust bucket?
These look much better with the smaller bumpers.
I always liked the lines of the 610’s especially the wagons.
I worked for a large Datsun dealership when this was new. The sales staff kept hearing negative comments about those light color bumpers [Looks like primer!]. So management decided to paint them a very dark gray, and added a “Sport gray” package to the dealer accessory sticker.
They had the company that printed their little dealer ID sticker for the back of the car, make some stickers that said “Sport Gray”, & put one on each side of the car. This allowed them to justify increasing the price by about $250, because in our upscale area the cars were selling quickly.
Funny thing is, this Datsun has a face very similar to the Aussie Chrysler Valiant from yesterday – or is it the other way around…?
Not realy apples to apples, but I would take this over the M-B 200D just posted. Maybe look for an expensive escort with my savings.
Awesome looking car. Although I was way too young at the time to drive a car, I remember cars like this. It’s nice to see an original survivor. I hope whoever buys it takes care of and does nothing to it to ruin it. Given its condition and rarity, I’d pay between $5,000 and $10,000 for it.
hey! just wanted you guys to know we purchased this little beauty and the interior looks great and the motor works great! stops on a dime and the original owner even had an inventory list of tuneups and repairs he’s made with dates and mileage listed. amazing find!!!
Awesome! Although not my favourite year for the Datsun 610 (my favourite year for the 610 is 1973), this is still a nice find. I’d buy a 610 wagon if I didn’t already have a car.
Living in the Northeast, I haven’t see one of these since they were less than 10 years old – every one of them rusted into nothing.
So, the price seems reasonable to me.
That tends to happen unfortunately with certain Japanese cars of the time.
Too much body side molding was applied on this car. Otherwise, a nice survivor. I doubt any of them survived around the Chicago area where cars like this turned to iron oxide in 5 years or less.
These were a 180B in Australia and we didn’t have the low impact collision bumpers, the best variant was the two door SSS with a slightly hot motor with twin carbies and IRS rear end a great rally car, although they mucked it up with the 200B a very pedestrian motor car
be surprised if a survivor (that paint, Cali sun?). The coup/sedan pepped up and hot rodded round here. I’d rather the waggy here. Great lines yet utility included. A bit small tho (look how big the subbie went w/their wagons in ’90s/00)~
If only more photos were taken of the car. I’ve always felt that the more photos the better. I like to see as much of the car as possible.
Sorry to say, these are a totally gutless wonder with the two speed auto that they had. You had to plan passing and flog it to get up the next hill. Much, much better with a standard.
To be fair, they were three-speed automatic, but no rocket
All of the ones I remember had chrome bumpers with black rubber end caps. At least on the East coast.
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