The Nissan Bluebird was one of the company’s most popular cars. Launched in 1957, it would be part of the Nissan portfolio through 2001. In its earlier years in the U.S. market, the cars were marketed under the Datsun brand and the 510 would be the version sold here. The seller’s 1964 Bluebird 410 is a right-hand-drive model, meaning it wasn’t imported when new. The seller doesn’t elaborate as to its running condition, but you’re not likely to find many of them in any condition. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, this car is available through an auto broker here on eBay. Bidding has only reached $500 and there is a reserve that will have to be met before you can take it home. Another tip from barn finder Larry D!
Nissan gave the Bluebird a facelift for 1964 with boxier styling cooked up by renowned designer Pininfarina. This gave the car something of a European flair in appearance. These first ones were badged as 410s and would run through 1967. Motivation for the redesign was partially inspired by the 1964 Summer Olympic Games which would be held in Japan and Nissan wanted to capitalize on that with a new automobile.
The seller doesn’t provide any information on the history of this small auto, especially how it found its way into the States. It looks to be in good condition overall, but its Japanese roots are clearly evident in the placement of the steering wheel and the outside mirrors being positioned forward on the front fenders. The blue and white paint look okay, but the interior is a bit interesting. The patterns are similar and don’t quite match on the front versus rear bench seats. But the front looks very nice while the rear needs a thorough cleaning at a minimum.
These cars were powered by a 1.2-liter inline 4-cylinder engine. We’re not sure of what transmission is in the car as one portion of the listing says it’s an automatic while the other is a manual. The latter would be peppier with a motor of this displacement. If you were to take this car home and it needs nothing more than detailing, it would garner some looks wherever you took it.
Looks to me like a manual trans –
no indicator (P R N D L).
Also, if you look in the engine compartment, there is a clutch master cylinder.
Having had a herd of 411’s over the years, I can say the 1.3L cars we got on our shores were pretty anemic little motors thanks in part to the 3 main bearing motor and tended to grenade, personal experience. Now the SSS 411’s were a different story, having the 4 main 1.6 commonly found in the Fairlady Roadsters, with dual SU copies and the beefier rear end and disc front breaks made for a fun little sleeper sedan and wagon. This is a pretty cool JDM 410, never seen in the states I’d certainly be curious if thats a 3 speed or a 4 speed on the column???
The 4 main would not have come until 1967-68. My brother had a 67 1/2 Roadster. Which was the 4 main. But with the lower windshield. I had a 69 510 with an 1800 engine from a 610 in it.
I miss both of those cars.
If the taillights are original and not sourced from US parts stock, that would point to it being JDM. Red turn signals were legal there until sometime in the early ’70s, when this was built in 1964 Australia and the UK already required amber rear blinkers.
Beautiful looking car. I’ve always loved old school JDM Japanese cars. I don’t have a favourite among them. As long as they run and drive safely, I’d buy one. Given its condition and rarity, I’d pay around $10,000.
For the sharp-eyed motorcycle fans: What is this bike in the background of one of the photos?
mid-70’s Yamaha Enduro of some cc displacement?
I was thinking the same thing – I had a DT400 that had a repainted tank when I bought it so I never knew the original paint scheme. The rest that I could see looked familiar.
So it is a Blue Bluebird, $6,100 now!! And reserve still not met!!
My Dad always had a beater second car and the “64 Nissan fit the bill, titled as a “65 because it took so long to get to Canada. Lost it in a snow bank for five months because no one wanted to dig it out, but charged the battery and it fired right up. Painfully slow with a three speed column shifted manual tranny that seemed to contain 1st, second, and forth gear…and i learned to drive a manual at 11 years of age.