There are a few things that get enthusiasts excited: first, free car. It doesn’t happen often but when it does, it rarely matters how bad it is. The second is original owner. If you can find a car in the hands of the first buyer/caretaker, that’s a special day. Third – and it’s a tie – is California-owned and for some us, a wagon. This minty little 1970 Datsun 510 checks almost all of those boxes with the exception of being free, as it’s listed here on eBay with bids to $10,000 and the reserve unmet. It’s a California car with just one owner in the paperwork, and it looks like it was loved from Day 1.
The Datsun 510 is already an icon in enthusiast circles. A Japanese competitor to the BMW 2002, the 510 was an immediate success in SCCA racing. In fact, today is a sad day as the iconic Bob Sharp passed away, and Bob was instrumental in putting Datsun (and later Nissan) on the radar of anyone who went racing on the weekends. The plucky 510 was a fierce competitor and it responded well to upgrades; on top of that, it proved quite durable. The only real enemy it had was rust, which took a fair number of them off the roads. This long-roof version wasn’t suited for racing, but it clearly was driven far more carefully than your average sedan.
A 1.6L engine good for just under 100 horsepower was nothing to write home about, but in a light-weight chassis with some choice upgrades, it was more than enough (it wasn’t like the 2002 was all that much more powerful.) The seller’s car is bone-stock, and it seems likely that someone bought this car new in middle age and simply kept it around until their daily driving needs continued to decrease. In fact, there’s just 44K claimed miles on the clock, and the seller confirms this wonderful wagon hasn’t left the San Jose area since it was purchased new from the dealer.
I’m not surprised at all this is an automatic; disappointed, sure, but lightning can only strike the same spot so many times. The interior is in incredible condition showing virtually no signs of use or abuse. It has lovely red vinyl seats with black piping, which had to be some sort of a deluxe option. The seller notes it comes with California blue plates, and while black plates would be nice, there’s only so many wins one car can present. While it is far from a muscle car, this is an honest survivor that will still get plenty of thumbs up.
Wow, you don’t see these every day….or do you?
I think we saw this one about 5 days ago! The previous craigslist posting has been deleted and now it’s on ebay. I guess the seller is hoping for a bidding war – unless it sold and is being flipped already.
Agreed.It’s a 510,but that’s a lot of money for one.
When we got married,my Wife had a 510 wagon.I
hated that car,& it hated me.The last straw was when
I got passed by an older Subaru wagon,while driving
up a steep hill on Highway 299 in Northern California.
We then bought a one-owner ’73 Capri 2000 from
a co-worker for $500.Much better car.
Beautiful time capsule but that Toyomatic kills if for me. A lot of scratch to pay and then have to put in a 5 speed…
True, but the conversion is dead easy. I did it (a four speed) in about a day when I was 16, back in 1981, under Dad’s carport. Such fun!
best
bt
Bought one of these used (but a 4 speed) while stationed in Germany. Great little car, could hold it’s own but the rubber bands were wound tight. Only problem was that Datsun’s weren’t sold in Germany. Had to go the Bern, Switzerland to get parts (8 hr drive). Head gasket’s were a problem, 2 in 3 years. Would probably have brought it back but the auto pilot failed me one late nite. Last I saw of it was on a rollback with a piece of handrail pipe sticking out from the crumpled front, kinda like a unicorn. This one has too many zero’s to make it interesting.
True, but the conversion is dead easy. I did it (a four speed) in about a day when I was 16, back in 1981, under Dad’s carport. Such fun!
best
bt
Carpeting on the dash=severely cracked vinyl. Cool little car but kind of steep price.