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| Datsun 510 | |
|---|---|
 Datsun Bluebird SSS 4-door (510) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Also called |
|
| Production | August 1967–1973 |
| Assembly |
|
| Designer | Teruo Uchino |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2/4-door sedan 2-door coupé 5-door station wagon |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 95.3 in (2,420 mm) |
| Length | 163.2 in (4,145 mm) (estate) 163 in (4,128 mm) (coupé) |
| Width | 61.4 in (1,560 mm) |
| Height | 56.5 in (1,435 mm) (estate) 56 in (1,410 mm) (coupé) |
| Curb weight | 2,072.3 lb (940 kg) (estate) 2,127 lb (965 kg) (coupé) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Datsun 610 |
The Datsun 510 was a series of the Datsun Bluebird sold from 1968 to 1973. Outside the US it was sold as either the Datsun Bluebird or as the Datsun 1300/1400/1500/1600/1800 (depending on engine variant).
The rear-wheel drive 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 by means of MacPherson struts in front, and semi-trailing arms on the rear wheels.[3] The styling is attributed to Datsun in-house designer, Teruo Uchino.[citation needed]
Nissan USA president Yutaka Katayama pushed for offering this generation of the Bluebird with a larger overhead cam engine with more power than the preceding models. The design originated with Prince Motor Company, which merged with Nissan in 1966.[4] The Bluebird series had been Datsun's smaller offering, but the 1966 introduction of the 1-litre Sunny allowed Nissan to move the Bluebird up into the mid-size category.[5]
The 510-series Bluebird was released in the domestic Japanese market on August 15, 1967.[6] In the United States, the Datsun 510 was launched in October 1967 as a four-door sedan, followed by a two-door sedan (June 1968), five-door station wagon, and two-door coupé (November 1968). In Canada it was sold as the Datsun 1600.
The range became famous for Nissan's rallying successes outside Japan and paved the way for greater Nissan sales internationally.
The series was available with either a four-speed manual transmission or optional three-speed automatic. 510s, in some markets, offered twin Hitachi side-draft carburetors, which were a smaller version of the British SU design used on Jaguars and MGs.[citation needed] These engines also used enhanced compression and camshaft profiles to produce more power. SSS models (not offered in North America) offered upgraded instrumentation and interior trim, as well as appropriate exterior badges.
- ^ Davis, Pedr; Davis, Tony (1990). Volvo downunder: A Swedish success story. Blakehurst, NSW: Marque. p. 76. ISBN 0-947079-14-9.
- ^ 1968 Datsun Bluebird 510 at earlydatsun.com Archived 4 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved on 17 July 2012
- ^ Levy, George Damon (20 January 1986). "Pete Brock's 'Screaming Yellow Zonker.'". Autoweek. Archived from the original on 29 June 2007 – via The Dime, Quarterly..
- ^ Blackwell, Merlin. "The Bluebird Takes Wing..." The 510 Realm. Archived from the original on 28 September 2007.
- ^ "フルオリジナル&ワンオーナーのSSS" [Fully original and one owner SSS]. Nostalgic Hero (in Japanese). Vol. 37, no. 6 (#226, December 2024). Tokyo: Geibunsha Publishing. 1 January 2025. p. 32. 07311-06.
- ^ Numata, Toru (6 September 2007). 新聞広告でたどる60〜70年代の日本車 [Memories of Japanese cars of the 60s & 70s via newspaper advertising]. Tankobon. p. 7. ISBN 978-4-89522-500-7.