Datsun 510
A rear-wheel-drive sedan that defined affordable performance and rally success.
The Datsun 510 was the third generation of the Datsun Bluebird, produced between 1968 and 1973. While sold as the Datsun Bluebird in Japan and some export markets, it carried the "510" name—Nissan’s internal model code—in the United States. In most other regions, it was badged as the Datsun 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, or 1800, depending on the engine, though the Bluebird name sometimes appeared in advertising.
This rear-wheel-drive car drew engineering inspiration from contemporary European sedans, particularly the 1966 BMW 1600-2, featuring an overhead camshaft engine and four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts at the front and semi-trailing arms at the rear. The styling came from in-house designer Teruo Uchino. Nissan USA president Yutaka Katayama pushed for a larger overhead cam engine with more power than earlier models. The design originated with Prince Motor Company, which merged with Nissan in 1966. Previously Datsun’s smallest offering, the Bluebird moved into the mid-size category after the 1966 introduction of the 1-litre Sunny.
The 510-series Bluebird launched in Japan on August 15, 1967. In the United States, the Datsun 510 arrived in October 1967 as a four-door sedan, followed by a two-door sedan (June 1968), a five-door station wagon, and a two-door coupé (November 1968). In Canada, it was sold as the Datsun 1600. The range gained fame for Nissan’s rallying successes outside Japan and helped boost international sales.
Transmission options included a four-speed manual or an optional three-speed automatic. Some markets offered twin Hitachi side-draft carburetors—a smaller version of the British SU design used on Jaguars and MGs—along with enhanced compression and camshaft profiles for more power. SSS models, not sold in North America, featured upgraded instrumentation, interior trim, and exterior badges.
Affordable performance and simple mechanicals kept the Datsun 510 popular among enthusiasts long after production ended. Collectors remain active worldwide, especially in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Many parts were interchangeable: engines, transmissions, and suspension setups could be swapped with minor modifications.
Quick Facts
- Model Code
- 510
- Manufacturer
- Nissan
- Assembly
- Japan: Yokosuka, Kanagawa (Oppama plant) · Australia: Melbourne, Victoria · New Zealand: Thames · Taiwan · Mexico: Civac, Cuernavaca
- Layout
- FR layout
- Production
- August 1967–1973
- Aka
- Datsun 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1800 · Datsun Bluebird · Yue Loong Bluebird 706 (sedan)
- Engine
- 1.3 L J13 OHV I4 · 1.3 L L13 I4 · 1.4 L L14 I4 · 1.5 L J15 OHV I4 · 1.6 L L16 I4 · 1.8 L L18 I4
- Length
- 4145 mm (estate) / 4128 mm (coupé)
- Height
- 1435 mm (estate) / 1410 mm (coupé)
- Wheelbase
- 2420 mm
- Weight
- 940 kg (estate) / 965 kg (coupé)
- Designer
- Teruo Uchino
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Datsun 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. The design originated with Prince Motor Company, which merged with Nissan in 1966. Nissan USA president Yutaka Katayama pushed for offering this generation with a larger overhead cam engine with more power than preceding models. The 510-series Bluebird was released in Japan on August 15, 1967, and launched in the United States in October 1967 as a four-door sedan, followed by a two-door sedan in June 1968, and a five-door station wagon and two-door coupé in November 1968. In Canada it was sold as the Datsun 1600.
Variations differed widely by market. In South America, Asia (excluding Japan), and Africa, the 510 sedan and two-door models traded rear independent suspension for a leaf-sprung solid axle, and used pushrod J-series engines rather than the OHC L-series. Japanese customers initially received a 1.3-liter engine with a three-speed manual gearbox, while North American customers received the larger 1.6-liter with a four-speed all-synchro transmission. SSS models, not offered in North America, featured upgraded instrumentation and interior trim. The 510 continued on sale after the introduction of the larger Bluebird U (610) in September 1971, receiving a minor facelift and the chassis code 510N.
Reader's Guide
The Datsun 510's affordable performance combined with simple mechanicals helped it remain a popular enthusiast's car long after discontinuation. Avid collectors can be found around the world, with significant numbers in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. One advantage of early Datsun cars was the interchangeability of many parts—engines, transmissions, and suspension setups could be swapped with minor modifications, allowing easy upgrades from the 1.6L L16 engine to the 1.8L L18 or 2.0L L20B, and from the four-speed manual to various five-speed transmissions from later Nissan models. Its positive reputation in North America led Nissan to reuse the 510 model name on the unrelated 1978–1981 A10-series Nissan Violet, an effort reviewers considered a failure. Hot Wheels manufactures several versions of the car. In the UK, Nissan imported about 4,000 510 models, but the car never received the marketing or recognition achieved in other countries, as a proper dealer network was established only around the time the 510 was discontinued.
Did You Know?
- In Canada, the 510 was sold as the Datsun 1600 rather than using the internal '510' model code.
- The 1968 two-door sedan was the rarest U.S. 510 year and model, with limited introduction during summer 1968.
- All station wagon models of the 510 were equipped with a solid rear axle, unlike the sedans' independent suspension.
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