This 1970 Datsun 521 pickup has been sitting for years, awaiting a Pro Street-style conversion that never materialized. The seller had already begun acquiring the necessary parts for the build, but has instead decided to sell the humble Datsun along – thankfully, leaving what appears to be a highly original example intact. Find it here on eBay with no reserve and bidding just over $1,500.
The seller claims to have no direct knowledge of the Datsun’s mechanical health, just that he has never torn into it like he had planned. Rust is said to be minimal, but no details are offered as to where it’s hiding out. Frankly, given the uptick in interest for vintage Japanese trucks like this, the seller is fortunate he didn’t dive halfway-in and then get bored with the project.
While most of our readers would prefer to see a V8 in here, the smart money is on selling the conversion bits and rebuilding the stock motor. The seller notes he will include a rare set of “…Hooker headers made for a small block Chevy conversion for this truck,” which apparently are no longer made and quite desirable today. Also included is a set of Mickey Thompson Sportsman bias-ply tires.
While I do love the idea of a Pro Street-converted Datsun pickup, the good bones on display here would force me to reconsider. I’d sell the tires and headers, and hopefully recoup a decent part of my investment. See if the engine turns and simply use and enjoy, perhaps finding a full set of matching hubcaps. Would you continue the conversion or restore it back to OEM shape?
I would keep it stock, sell off the rare parts and rebuild the engine and drive the heck out of it. My dad had one in 1970 to 71 he had a chapperal dealership and used the datsun to haul the snowmobiles and motorbikes for delivery and to show them off at events. I remember going with my dad to snowmobile races in the new hampshire area and having the time of my life.
While hot-rods are cool and a great way to give a second life to old cars that might not be restoration candidates, I am not big fan of hot-rodding everything old just because it’s old. There are so few original examples of this generation Datsun truck out there, and this kind of vehicle had such an impact on American car & trucks to come, that it ought to be preserved.
This truck is crying out for someone to
save it! Wish I could be the one, but
lavk of money and space forbid it.
Someone please SAVE THIS TRUCK!
I agree. Restore it to driveable condition. Don’t make a ratrod out of it.
My first four-wheeled vehicle was a 1970 PL521, in Datsun’s Red (more of a Burgundy) color. Owned it for 19 years. It’s been gone (totaled in an accident – the other guy’s fault) for 25 years, and I still miss it. Wish I had the time, space, and money to bring this one back.
You are very accurate in your assessment of the truck. Except, I doubt many would want to see a V8 in this truck.
If it’s restorable, a big if, based on the trucks location and lack of thorough description, anything close to $1,500 is a good deal. Like you said, sell off the parts, the wheels locally and the headers on eBay. Pro street is dead, there are too many show queens burried in garages that it makes no sense to build one from scratch.
Steve R
Seen a recent uptick in interest towards these early 60-75 Japanese trucks, Toyota and Datsuns mainly, and surprisingly a damn lot of them are in better shape than rust bucket used up barn find american pick ups.
They were way overbuilt for their size as to frames and suspensions, and surprisingly there are tons of available rebuild and hop up engine parts available, from headers, cam and kits to carburation.
Yet one can find numerus examples of good running, good shape, non beaters for under two grand.
They have metal you can hammer out, and easy to paint due to simple body lines and replacing interiors with quality materials on the cheap.
With decent paint and newer wheels and tires very presentable.
Am seeing more and more small block swaps being done, some with V6 American with 5 speeds and as we just found out on a 96 Nissan Hardbody 2 wheel drive a complete delivered to door kit for such a swap are available. We did have to shorten driveline and only beefed up yokes added; rear ends can take a lot of HP.
For under 8K investment as fully refreshed he sold for $13,500 USD.
We could of made more profit by using a good running stocker or rebuilding a mildly warmed, 180 HP, motor.
IMO this one is a wee bit high $’s for a non runner, but with right imput could easily and inexpensively come into the 5-7 K realms for a small profit by a do it your selfer.
$750 is pushing it. And pushing it may be the only way it will move–even the owner doesn’t know about the engine and running gear. I drove a new one of these between Medford and Klamath, OR, a distance of a couple hundred miles. It was severely under-powered and very uncomfortable.
Buy the truck and sell off the hot rod bits to help fund its restoration – says the hot rodder!
I remeber my dad driving one of these for his work in the early 70s for his business he had a chapperal dealership in rochester new hampshire i had a great time with my dad hauling snow machies in the bed of the truck and two on a trailer behind it. thanks for bringing back the memories