Datsun 510

[Morris Minor]

http://youtu.be/YwhwwrkYMpc

Saw one of these parked in Charleston, SC  a couple of years ago. Love 'em.

[Rupert]

Jay sure doesn't like it when anyone else is talking, does he?

[Madman]

It always seemed to me the Datsun 510 was a blatant rip-off of the Fiat 124.

[Rupert]

But better than the 124.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

My grand dad had one of these when I was a lil kid. Actually thats the first car I ever drove! I used to sit on his lap and drive to Kindergarden while he shifted!

[hotrodalex]

 

[Morris Minor]

Here's the one I spotted in Charleston, nestled in the backstreets of the expensive historic district. Crying out for somebody to to love it.

[Cookie Monster]

Considering the excellent condition it's in, it appears someone already loves it.

[GoCougs]

Jay sure doesn't like it when anyone else is talking, does he?

He sure likes his denim though.

[cawimmer430]

It always seemed to me the Datsun 510 was a blatant rip-off of the Fiat 124.

More like the Fiat 130 Sedan. But so many cars from that era had a similar design.

[Madman]

The 130 was a bigger car.  However, the 124 and 510 were about the same size.

Conceptually, the 510 was almost a carbon copy of the 124.

[cawimmer430]

The 130 was a bigger car.  However, the 124 and 510 were about the same size.

Conceptually, the 510 was almost a carbon copy of the 124.

Bigger yes, but in terms of styling they looked very similar. But as I said, a lot of cars from that era had the same design.

[Colin]

Fiat 124 launched in 1966, the Datsun in 1968. Unlike some other Datsun around this time, this one was an in-house design, and they did a good job, before the American influenced styling excesses of the 1970s. I am sure that inspiration for an ohc engine and Macpherson strut suspension came from Europe, and the result was a car that won many hearts when new and is still popular, esp in Australia.

There were only ever very few of these in UK, as Datsun sales only started in 1969, but did not really get into the swing on things under the charismatic Octav Botnar as the importer with the 100A Cherry in 1971 and then the 120Y Sunny in 1973. 

[Morris Minor]

I think Leno's guy has done a great job. I like the painted bumpers, the color, & especially the wheels. Purely personal opinion but I think it would better if he were to lift it an inch; I don't think it would lose its stance.

[JWC]

When I lived in California I worked with a couple of guys that owned 510's.  I loved their cars, but never got around to getting my own.  I haven't see one in person since leaving the West coast.