What is the price range on a decent early 70's 510?

Discussion forum for the venerable 510, and its non-US counterparts, the Datsun 1600 and Bluebird.
Andy_In_SD
Posts: 64
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 7:21 pm
Car: 1970 - 2000 5spd Roadster, 1966 SPL311-1600 Roadster

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My daughter has been watching me rebuild and work on my roadster and wants to learn how to turn a wrench and fix a car. At the same time, she's inspired to take a plain Jane car and turn it into a completed work of wonder (similar to the excellent work I see people doing here on their 510's, Z's etc..).

Thus I thought an early 70's 510 (2 door preferred of course), with the stock L-Series. Nothing done out as a racer, but rather a stock runner which has not been abused. Looking on Craigslist, wow how times have changed! I used to run around with 510's in the early 80's and loved them, and they were cheap. It seems they are not so cheap anymore!

What I am thinking of is original (or close to it) paint (say someone macco'd it in the 80's is fine), not a bondo monstrosity, a few small dents are ok. Rust/Rot in the usual suspect spots is ok (teach the kid to weld), L-Series drive train (stock). Ignored, not dilapidated interior. Runs (rough is fine). All parts are there. A basic fixer upper, not a life long project!

On Craigslist or otherwise what price for say a 72-510 (2 door? 4 door?), definitely a pre 1975 would make you pull the trigger and head over to check it out as a serious buy?

Thanks in advance for any input.

Andy


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AZhitman
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Joined: Mon Apr 29, 2002 2:04 am
Car: 58 L210, 63 Bluebird RHD, 64 NL320, 65 SPL310, 66 411 RHD, 67 WRL411, 68 510 SR20, 75 280Z RB25, 77 620 SR20, 79 B310, 90 S13, 92 SE-R, 92 Silvia Qs, 98 S14.
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68-72 are the commonly-sought-after 510 models, and they're commanding higher prices each year. Realistically, a safe, running, non-abused 4-door Dime will be in the $4k+ range. Add a grand or more for a 2-door.

There's no sane reason to buy a Datsun with rust. All you'll teach her is that rust never sleeps and that patching 40-year-old metal is pure misery. Plus, you're talking about compromised structural integrity - not what you want your daughter relying on in the event of a fender-bender.

However, there are other cool models that keep flying under the radar and can be bought a lot cheaper - I'd consider a 79-81 Datsun 210 (not a B210) or maybe one of the 610/701/810 models. A 210 is a great first car, reliable and bulletproof, and parts are readily available (and cheaper).

Andy_In_SD
Posts: 64
Joined: Sun May 31, 2015 7:21 pm
Car: 1970 - 2000 5spd Roadster, 1966 SPL311-1600 Roadster

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Thanks. Good to open up the options too.

Thanks,

Andy


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