1971 Datsun 510 Sedan

1971 Datsun 510 Sedan

The Datsun 510 was a series of the Datsun Bluebird sold from 1968 to 1973, and offered outside the U.S. and Canada as the Datsun 1600.

The 510's engineering was inspired by contemporary European sedans, particularly the 1966 BMW 1600-2 — incorporating an overhead camshaft engine and four-wheel independent suspension by means of MacPherson struts in front, and semi-trailing arms on the rear wheels.[3] The styling is attributed to Datsun in-house designer, Teruo Uchino.[citation needed]

The engine was promoted by Nissan USA president Yutaka Katayama, a design developed through Prince, an acquisition.[4]

Launched in October 1967, body styles included the original four-door sedan, a two-door sedan (June 1968), five-door station wagon, and two-door coupé (November 1968).

The 510 range became famous for Nissan's rallying successes outside Japan and paved the way for greater Nissan sales internationally.

The Datsun 510 released to the North American market had a Hitachi downdraft-carbureted 1.6L L-series I4 engine, with an advertised gross power of 96 hp (72 kW), a claimed top speed of 100 mph, front disc brakes, four-wheel independent suspension (MacPherson struts in front and semi-trailing arms in rear), except the wagons, which had a solid live axle with leaf springs in back.

The series was rear-wheel drive, with either a four-speed manual transmission or a three-speed automatic. Two-door sedan, four-door sedan, and four-door station wagon variants were available. It achieved 20 to 30 mpg in factory trim (U.S.). Japanese-domestic-market (JDM) models were also available in a two-door coupe body style with either a 1.6L or a 1.8L (1973) L-Series engine. 510s, in some markets, offered twin Hitachi side-draft carburetors, which were a smaller version of the British SU (Skinner's Union) design used on Jaguars and MGs.[citation needed] These engines also used enhanced compression and camshaft profiles to produce more power. SSS models (not offered in North America) offered upgraded instrumentation and interior trim, as well as appropriate exterior badges. All North American model 510s received anti-sun glass from 1970 on.
(From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

This is a 1:24 scale die-cast metal with plastic parts of the 1971 Datsun 510 Sedan. Just for a moment, consider for just the last 100 years, the number of manufactures with all their types of vehicles and types of models, just how important it is to attempt some order in which to showcase these various makes and models, to show just how far we have come in each different category. While not the most highly detailed model around, this model is an important model in that the museum has now expanded it Japanese Automotive selection of makes and models available in the 70's. It is in these early eras, that the Japanese car manufactures started to small more better quality built vehicles for which they started to command a bigger slice of the Automotive section.

And while there are many models that do have a higher quality build, this model is an good example just how diverse a range of these vehicles that have and will continue to add to the collection. Build quality is very good, and the paintwork, as taken from exiting paint colours available at that time is good.

the interior demonstrate the Japanese mindset in that while compared to todays standard, still provided for its day reasonable feature built to an affordable price. The engine again is not the best quality, but still in its basic form, shows the general scope of the engine.

Its a good model in that it demonstrates part of the history of the Datsun which in a few years would see the end of that name, but will evolve into the Nissan brand. Overall a 3.5/5.0. Robin Finlay 09/09/2022.

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