Datsun 510: A Tribute to the Beloved Sedan
Hannah DeWitt
· 4 min read
The Datsun 510 doesn’t look like much, but its boxy style and lightweight frame make it a lovable
classic car
. It may not boast thunderous horsepower or sleek design, but the little Datsun does have some impressive get-up-and-go.The Datsun 510’s fun, zippy driving makes them a popular
collector’s item
. According to Hot Cars
, the Datsun 510 is selling at anywhere from around $7,000 to over $20,000 depending on their condition.
Datsun 510 pricing and specs
When it was first released in 1968, the Datsun 510 was priced around $2,000. Today, the average price of a 510 is $12,400, though they have been known to sell much higher and lower. Price doesn’t differ much through models or model years, so the main influence on price is condition.
If you would rather have a well-oiled 510 with no fixes needed, you could be looking at $20,000 at least. If you’re more interested in putting in some elbow grease and finding a fixer-upper, the damage might be closer to $7,000-$9,000.
The Datsun 510 was built for speed, not strength. It was equipped with a 1.6-liter SOHC four-cylinder engine capable of producing just 96 horsepower and 99.8 lb-ft of torque. However,
Hemmings
reports that the 510 could get from zero to 60 mph in 13 seconds, which was impressive for such a car at the time.The 510 also came with a four-speed transmission, fully-independent rear suspension, and two-door and four-door options.
History of the Datsun 510
The Datsun 510 was intended to help
Japanese carmakers
like Nissan infiltrate the U.S. car market. Before the ‘70s, Japanese car brands were seen as reliable but small and weak, leaving Americans with an unpopular opinion of them. The 510 didn’t necessarily distance Datsun from those labels, but the goal was to distinguish itself from the muscle cars crowding American streets, which it did.The car’s body was made of thin metal and meant to be as lightweight as possible without being flimsy. The interior featured some plastics and vinyl seats, which also contributed to the lightness of the car.
The 510 didn’t need lots of horsepower; its low weight allowed it to fly while still being stable enough to take turns well. The 510’s weight also played a part in reducing its price, making it an affordable and reliable choice.
Though Datsun was initially its own company, they were bought by Nissan in the 1930s. After World War II, Nissan decided to use the Datsun name for export models like the 510. Once the 510 began gaining traction in America, it started making a name for itself in the world of racing.
Racers used the model in rallying and regular racing in the early ‘70s. According to the
Globe and Mail
, racecar driver John Morton won two Under 2.5-liter Trans-Am championships with a Datsun 510.What made the Datsun 510 so popular?
Though the Datsun 510 was decommissioned by 1973, it managed to sell over 500,000 units during its run. Its speedy, lightweight design, solid handling, and affordable pricing made it a loveable sedan in its time and continues to make it a favorite classic today.
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