Datsun 510

Datsun 510
Datsun Bluebird SSS 4-Door (510)
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan
Also called	Datsun 1300, 1500, 1600 Datsun Bluebird Yue Loong Bluebird 706 (sedan) Datsun Sedán Datsun Guayin (spanish for station wagon)
Production	1968–1973
Assembly	Oppama, Japan Melbourne, Australia Thames, New Zealand Taiwan Civac, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Designer	Teruo Uchino
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door sedan 4-door sedan 2-door coupé 5-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	1.3L L13 I4 1.3L J13 I4 1.4L L14 I4 1.5L J15 I4 1.6L L16 I4 1.8L L18 I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	95.3 in (2,420 mm)
Length	163.2 in (4,145 mm) (Estate) 163 in (4,128 mm) (Coupe)
Width	61.4 in (1,560 mm)
Height	56.5 in (1,435 mm) (Estate) 56 in (1,410 mm) (Coupe)
Curb weight	2,072.3 lb (940 kg) (Estate) 2,127 lb (965 kg) (Coupe)
Chronology
Successor	Datsun 610

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. According to AutoWeek's G.D. Levy, the 510 has often been called the "poor man's BMW." The 510's engineering was inspired by contemporary European sedans, particularly the 1966 BMW 1600-2, incorporating a SOHC engine, MacPherson strut suspension in front and independent, semi-trailing arms in the back. The European-influenced sheet metal design is attributed to Datsun in-house designer, Teruo Uchino.

The engine was pushed through by Nissan USA president Yutaka Katayama, a design developed through Prince, an acquisition.

Launched in October 1967, it was one of the most comprehensive Bluebird ranges in body styles: a two-door sedan (added in June 1968), a four-door sedan, a five-door station wagon, and a two-door coupé (added in November 1968).

This 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 U.S. market came originally with the 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 strut front and semi trailing arm rear- wagons had a solid rear live axle and leaf springs in back), rear-wheel drive, and either a four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission. 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 in 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. These engines also used enhanced compression and camshaft profiles to produce more power. SSS models (not available for the U.S. 510) offered upgraded instrumentation and interior trim, as well as appropriate exterior badges. All U.S. model 510s received anti-sun glass from 1970 on.