SSS Bluebird Project: 1970 Datsun 510
Back in June, I covered this very sharp 1971 Datsun 510 Bluebird and it was a rare SSS performance-themed model. While familiar with the 510, the Bluebird edition was a new one for me. Well, today, we have a 1970 version of the same car but it is certainly a horse of a different color – it needs some obvious help. MisterLou found this disheveled Datsun cooling its heels, on a trailer, in Eureka California. It’s available, here on craigslist for $18,000.
So, this is a right-hand drive model, imported from Japan and it does come with a California title – that’s a good start. We’re told that it is 90% complete, as well as, “some minor rust in the floors, rear passenger quarter panel and looks like some spots around the windshield“. It’s mentioned that a previous owner started some body work and skimmed the panels with Bondo. My thought is I wonder what’s under all of that Bondo and how thickly it has been applied. The bumpers are obviously missing as is some of the trim though the still attached Japanese spec mirrors are a welcome discovery. Those front wheels look familiar though I can’t recall from where. I find that I usually remember an obscure item, specifically, for the right, or the wrong reason…
June’s 1971 discovery was powered by an 1800 CC, in-line four-cylinder engine, but this ’70 variant, in SSS trim, possesses the more commonly encountered 99 HP, 1600 CC, in-line four-cylinder powerplant. This example is a non-runner and it looks like the motor is missing a bunch of parts. My guess is that this prime mover, with unknown mileage, has been silent for many moons. It would be nice to know if the engine is stuck, but at this point, maybe it doesn’t really matter. A four-speed manual gearbox puts the power when running, to the rear wheels.
The interior is pretty rough. Besides the obvious ripped seating upholstery and rusty floors, it appears that the ignition switch and door cards are missing, and there is a tangle of wire hanging below the dash. The headliner is fair at best and the rear upholstery panels show as being beyond use. I can’t get a good look at the instrument panel but I would assume that there’s some trouble there and the dashpad is split. The entire environment is going to need a redo.
So, what to do here? The price seems out of line considering this car’s condition – it’s a big lift to get it back to both presentable and usable condition. The $70K ask for the ’71 model seems to have been mostly panned but I don’t have a good grip on this car’s upside market potential. The seller suggests, “Solid car coming from Japan and a great start to a full restoration“. What says you, do you agree?
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Comments
18? 70K$ no, just no. Blue bird or not (@ least in my book anyway).
18K? … dollars? …. well, as PT Barnum said “there’s a sucker born every minute”.
Optional duct tape interior 😂
Ok, I like cars and am lucky enough to have, too many, but cars like this “to me” are just overpriced junk. I am not up on these. I had a rusty one years back and NO one wanted it and whatever sought after parts were garbage according to the knowledgeable guys that looked at it. Nice cars that are desirable are worth whatever the traffic will bare. Being devil’s advocate cars like this are ok if they are reasonable and none of this junk is reasonable, for the simple fact that in today’s world you can murder someone, hire a high profile attorney to beat the charge and still spend less that this would cost to restore. Overpriced junk, plain and simple. Don’t get caught up in all the TV hype.
Spent a lot of time with a 1600 Datsun 510 race car. Fun to drive, faster than you might think. I also think the seller inhaled too much Bondo vapors with that unrealistic price.
That price would be ok if all the work had already been done.
Well, their “% of complete” differs from mine, whether I cared for the car or not, which I did not, it was a very influential car for the Asians, helped turn the tide. I had heard of Bluebirds before, the dual fender mirrors, a standard in Japan, is a giveaway it’s from over yonder, RHD, no thanks. As bobhess says, they cleaned up on almost everything at the track.Due, in part, to its IRS. Many called it the “po’ mans BMW”,,,which,,no way, but the motor was high revver and with the lightness and IRS, not much could catch it. Some subtle differences here, the tail lights and trim, but it’s a 510, and my experience with one, as a road car, was not the best.
This is one of those things where you have to think about, where will I find another?, if this is your cup of tea. It is not a 510 as we know of, but the JDM only coupe version, so very rare over here. Sort a holy grail car in Datsun world, so the price cannot be compared well with normal 510s. 18k can find you a pretty nice 510 still, although prices on these have escalated along with the 240Z craze. The primary factor with this is probably having all of the hard to get JDM only parts. The cost of restoring this vs. a regular 510 is probably going to be about the same, but it is probably worth at least 2x or more afterwards.
It’ll take 3X’s the money to get it to being worth 2X value!
SSS motor would have come with dual carbs, no? I could be wrong about this, am no expert, but I thought that was the case….
bt
Yes, the coupes all came with dual SU carbs
No, 1969 – 1970 & 1971 Deluxe coupe versions had only the normal standard 2 barrel down draft Nikki carburetor as did the 1970 Sports coupe. Only the SSS coupes had twin Hitachi carbs.
Apparently I don’t know anything about these because I would guess $1,800 not $18,000. Right hand drive is kinda cool but wow does this car need work. The only reason you’d buy this is to keep because by the time it was done you’d probably get half of what you’re invested. Good luck with this one. “REALLY”
I thought 510s were called Bluebirds in all the rest of the world. They were good cheap rally cars 40-50 years ago. I called em sh*t boxes then and still do. I said that to someone vintage racing one a couple of years ago and he lit up and said “That’s what John Morton called them!”.
The C pillar on this made me think of some of the roofs that showed up for NASCAR racing when they raced stock cars.
Looks like it’s actually in San Jose,not Eureka.
I find that interesting – when I lived in Eureka,you’d
have a really hard time getting anyone local to pay
a lot for cars like this.
Posted to soon before re-reading the ad.I got
sidetracked by the location map.
Now I remember that this one’s been for sale
at least once in the past,with no takers.
From the listing: Car is located near Eureka CA.
JO
i have a real car for sale 3 time national champion ep race prepared1971 2dr rx2 way to much too list highly modified hot blue 3 sets rims and tires 12 a brigeport needs work but soild new engine just got overheated when cooing system devolped a air lock have colo title most org. parts including steering wheel owners man.ive had 29 yrs but someone else needs to have the fun i had call 970 6185942 usa very rare can answer any ?s leave message ill call you back