Datsun 510
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The Datsun 510 or P510/PL510 was a series of the Nissan Bluebird sold from 1968 to 1973, and offered outside the U.S. 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 an SOHC engine, MacPherson strut suspension in front and independent, semi-trailing arms in back.[1] The European-influenced sheet metal design is attributed to a young Datsun in-house designer, Teruo Uchino.
The engine was pushed through by Nissan USA president Yutaka Katayama, a design developed through Prince, an acquisition, with some Mercedes Benz influence. [2]
The Datsun 510 released to the U.S. market came originally with the Hitachi downdraft carbureted 1.6 L L-series engine, with an advertised gross power of 96 hp (72 kW), front disc brakes, 4-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 4-speed manual or a 3-speed automatic transmission. 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, and 4-door station wagon variants were available. It achieved 20-30 mpg in factory trim (U.S.). Non-US spec models were also available in a 2-door coupe body style with the "SSS" packages, which included a 1.6 or an uprated 1.8 L L-Series engine and dual Hitachi sidedraft carburetors, which were a copy of the earlier British Skinner's Union (SU) design used on Jaguars and MGs. SSS models also had numerous other small changes like sports instrument cluster, tinted windows, different interior trim and of course 'SSS' emblems on the rear qtr vents and grille.
One triumph of the early Nissan/Datsun cars is that many of the parts are interchangeable — engines, transmissions, suspension setups, etc., were all similar enough to swap with minor modifications. This allowed the Datsun 510 to be easily upgraded from the 1.6 L engine to the 2.0 L (and later the FJ20) L20B engine, and to go from the 4-speed manual transmission to the more versatile 5-speed transmission made available for the later 200SX/HL510 and Nissan Z-cars.
The original 510 achieved such a good reputation that Nissan resurrected the "510" badge on the completely different HL510 automobile line, which was in fact the Japanese Domestic Market version of the Nissan Stanza. The "late model" 510 used a live axle in place of the original 510's independent rear suspension, thus the handling was decidedly inferior to the earlier model.
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[edit] Popularity
Affordable performance combined with simple & reliable mechanicals has helped the Datsun 510 remain a popular automotive enthusiast's car for nearly 40 years. Avid collectors can be found around the world with significant numbers in the US, Australia, & New Zealand.
[edit] Market Differences
The Datsun 510 differed with the markets it reached. In South America, Asia (excluding Japan ) and in Africa, 510 sedan, 2-door & station wagon models traded rear independent suspension for a leaf-sprung solid axle. The engines for these markets also differed. Rather than the OHC 1.6L L-series, they received push-rod inline 4 cylinder engines from the J series with either 1.3L or 1.5L displacement. These variants were also known as Datsun 1500 ( J15 engine ) and Datsun 1300 (J13 engine). In these markets, the IRS Datsun with the L series engine was the Datsun Violet, aka 160JSSS. In the US, the Datsun 710 was the non IRS version of the Datsun 160JSSS. It appears the Datsun 510 was favored by Nissan in North America, while the Datsun 160JSSS was the choice outside of North America.
[edit] References
- ^ George Damon Levy. "Pete Brock's "Screaming Yellow Zonker."" AutoWeek. 20 January 1986. Retrieved 6 October 2007 from The Dime, Quarterly.
- ^ The Bluebird Takes Wing.... Retrieved on 2007-10-06.
[edit] External links
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