In 1978, I owned a 1971 510 sedan. Bought it for $600. Put in the swaybar kit and good tires. It was a lot of fun. The engine was real tough. I once had to drive it for 15 miles with a broken water pump. Didn't even phase it. I should have never sold it.
Datsun runs deep in our family. My father worked for the local Datsun dealership in the early 70's. Then in 76 opened a shop specializing in Datsuns and Toyota's. I also had 2 uncle's that had Datsun repair shops. So 3 total in the family. There were lots of 510 in the family. I grew up in the backseat of a sss 510. My first car was a 63 Datsun 1200 and currently have a 68 SRL311. Thanks for posting this video it brings back good memories. Do it in a Datsun...
I will never get tired of Datsuns. I daily drive a 76 280z 2+2 and the L series engine just sings. It's not a lot of horsepower in today's world but the experience of driving a vintage Datsun is special.
Love the sound of those 510's!! Carbs just gave the racing cars of those days a great sound! It would take ITB's to get a car to sound like that today. Also, this race series and this particular season signified the changing of the guard from European to Japanese cars in small car performance in my opinion. Mazda would really drive it home with the RX-7 in the eighties and their multiple back to back IMSA GTU championships.
such a nice 'blast from the past'>i was just a kid during this time and my older folks used to praise these Datsun SSS..they called it 'king of the road'.
The 510 was designed specifically around the concept of the highest power to weight ratio possible. Believing light weight meant poor quality was a common misconception, when in fact, it's what makes this car perform as well as it does. Returning WWII airplane mechanics knew, the lighter it is the faster it goes. The 510 also has 50/50 weight distribution, a very low center of gravity, and semi trailing arm independent rear suspension that keeps the rear tires planted in hard corners. This allowed it to accelerate out of corners much earlier than the Alfa and the BMW. Set up right, once you hit the apex of a corner, you can loosen your grip on the steering wheel, hit the gas, engine mport
Datsun510zen The way you describe the to pick your line and nail the Gas and being launched out of the Apex, is exactly the way my Fiesta ST handles. 197 hp & 202 ft pound of torque at 2700 pounds, with a Close ratio 6 speed. I had a 1972 510 in 1972. I got to see the Riverside raceway race.
We had a 1973 Datsun 610, when I was just beginning to drive, back in the '70's. It was bigger and heavier than the 510 (2500lbs), but had the same great independent suspension as the 510. It handled great! I wasn't aware at the time, but 610's were used for racing, after they quit making the 510. Everyone hated to see the legendary Datsun 510 go, so a few years later, Nissan brought it back, but unfortunately, it was a Datsun 510 in name only. If I remember correctly, it didn't have the independent rear suspension, which was key to a Datsun 510 actually being a Datsun 510!
What a great era John Morton/Peter Brock and BRE/Datsun created. I was too young to drive. Yes, I built the 46/240Z model, of course. I'm not entirely sure how I came to know of the BRE Datsuns. I'm guessing maybe from automotive magazine covers way back then. Such an iconic livery.
Zupprezed dude the factory rally cars that won the east african safari in 70 are 4 door cars. A 2 door rally car is stupid, you can't get to your tools very quickly, and when you need to change a flat in the middle of a stage that is big frickin deal. seconds are miles.
also, a wagon rally car? That is the size of a 240z with none of the handling or power, which if you are going to race a car that big get a z. They have a even better rally history, and they are very stable at high speed but not great on tight stages which is why I want a 4 door 510.
Would love to meet the 8 goobers who gave this amazing video a thumbs down. One would be the idiot who almost got picked off strolling across pit row at Laguna and the other 7 from the Alpha team?
Such an incredible video. Every time I watch it seems to be my first time. That was real drivers and real racing for sure ! Definitely love John Morton's way of thinking, I guess you're my hero haha. I only own an old '84 Golf GTi that makes me happy everytime I drive it but owning a 510/Z432/KPGC10 is an ultimate goal for me. One day...
I've been hoping someone would post this film--known of it, but never saw it before. Many thanks! Love the Mini and Anglia and Escort and Saab running as backmarkers, LOL.
It's now 2023 and I just watched this for the first time. Absolutely fantastic film. Enjoyed every minute of it. I had to laugh when the Italian manufacturer (Alfa) was found to be cheating! Really, Italian manufacturer cheating in motor racing, no.......that never happens!🤣😂🤣😂
Such an iconic brand . So sad that its now struggling under Renault management. They made some of their best cars in the nineties and its ironic that they went bankrupt by 1999 resulting in the Renault takeover . I would take a 90s nissan over any japanese rival.
Tomorrow I will finally receive my recently passed out dad's old Datsun Bluebird '68, shame it is the older chassis but it is in top shape and should run smoothly, just need to do an brake operarion and then take it for the spin. Bluebirds, what an great cars, keep up the good work at racing tracks o/
Fantastic video!! Datsun 510s are so underrated. I'm looking for one in that I can enter in antique races. It's hard to believe that the 510s where even beating Ford Escorts in the video!!
When they mentioned the Alfa team cheating with a larger fuel tank.....it brought back memories. In the mid 90s I remember reading about this race in Sport Compact Car magazine. That was when I had my '81 510(wished it was a '68-'73).
I wish tv was still like this. Very inspirational... And some day i want to buy and build a 240 or 510 i just need to decide what to get and i need to get older im only 18
I first saw this as a 16mm film about 1981 when our 510 club borrowed it from Nissan. During the 80s, I got permission from Nissan to make VHS copies for 510 owners.
what model of alpha where they talking about here ? the volvo they used was it a 240DL and the Fiat was it a 500 ? The BmW was it a early m series hell in no car guy Im guessing here any help from real mechanics out there? Pls advise?
Competed with a 1970 510 from 1975 to 1978 on a 1.6 mile circuit track at AMP near Halifax NS Canada. Tight track with eleven corners .Great experience 1600 Bottom end , flat tops & Twin 45 doc Webbers. 1800 top end shaved 55 000 .Cam that gave power between four & eight thousand .4/11 locked ear end . Ran 10.5 inch slicks from a formula Atlantic .Comp front struts & lowered rear suspension Cross member was .5" off ground with 10.5 slicks .Ran twin brake cylinders with proportional valve for brake bias control Wow it was fun
my father had 1 of these during the gas shortage of the 1970's I think not sure but i remeber it well it was a 1968 510 and it was a ugly little car and it need a paint job my Father bought 1 case of rust kill spray paint from Ace Hardware Store and painted it flat black I learned to drive stick shift with this car itr was a 4 cylinder with a 4 speed cool little car back in 1981 my Father sold it real cheap to a Nieghbor Lady who desparetly needed a car it was a play thing for us but to her it saved her and her family !
What? I'm not butthurt? Just simply said I enjoy the 510's looks more then the 2002. Race records show that 15 out of 21 races were won by the 510 over the 2002. Also, just because he was inspired by the 2002 doesn't make it an imitation. This coming from a 2002 fan as well. I enjoy both cars, but saying the 510 is an imitation is asinine.
Nissan is reviving the datsun brand.The decision to change the name Datsun to Nissan in the U.S. was announced in the fall of 1981.I can still remember when they made the transition some cars had datsun and nissan name plates on them.Lol I knew my comment would get some reaction.Sorry No offense dude.
Literally the EXACT response I would expect from a 510 fan. I don't see what's so controversial about it. Yutaka Katayama (Datsun's President during the time) admitted that the 510 was "inspired" by the 1966-67 2002's and the 1602's. Granted, I was pissed off by a 510 Fanboy some time ago because he kept posting shit on 2002 vids. So, I was merely returning the favor. Apologies for any butthurt I may have caused. Have a pleasant day.
Wow, everyone got pissed since the last time I was on here! I even got called a cunt! Very creative insult, almost as creative as the 510... When you think about it, the odds were actually pretty well stacked in the 510's favor, far more so than the Alfa had with the bigger tank. The 510s had straight sixes under the hood while the 02s and alfas had their stock configuration 4's. The 510 weighed less because the sheet metal was so thin and flimsy, a rusty beer can had more structural integrity. Not to mention they had full factory backing. Maybe some things I said last year were unnecessary, but that being said, I drive my 02 every day. I have never seen a 510 on the road, only in the junkyard. I just wanted to throw in my final 2 cents. Don't bother wearing out your keyboard either, I have no interest in this video anymore. To me, and to many other gear heads, the 2002 will always be the best of the sports sedans. Enjoy your 510's.
510's didn't come with a straight six. BRE never ran one with a straight six I believe. I drive my 510 28 miles a day, every day, up and down a twisty hill to and from work. I am enjoying my 510 thank you.
haha 510s had a straight six?? Try a 1.6 liter 4 cylinder. You dont even know what your talking about, no wonder everyone laughed at you last time you replied, but thanks for coming back and continuing to embarrass yourself for all of our amusement.
+NITROUSINJECTEDFISHY One word to describe this little fish, troll, but a successful troll cuz he managed to hook you guys. Everyone knows the 510 is the undisputed OG Japanese tuner car, even him. Guy's probably a Chevy fanboy mullet head driving a 93 Camaro. Of course he's a hater.
I will always remember when I was 16yrs old driving my 510 around Long Beach and always these nerdy looking old guys would try to get me to sell it to them. I never did and it was my only car for the next 16 years untill it was crashed by a girl. Don't let women drive Datsun's!
I'd prefer a BMW 2002TI, Ford Lotus Cortina, Ford Escort RS1600, or an Alfa Romeo GTV over a 510. I'm not really sure why. I think it's mainly because the 510 is an imitation of a BMW 1602.
In 1978, I owned a 1971 510 sedan. Bought it for $600. Put in the swaybar kit and good tires. It was a lot of fun. The engine was real tough. I once had to drive it for 15 miles with a broken water pump. Didn't even phase it. I should have never sold it.
Datsun runs deep in our family. My father worked for the local Datsun dealership in the early 70's. Then in 76 opened a shop specializing in Datsuns and Toyota's. I also had 2 uncle's that had Datsun repair shops. So 3 total in the family. There were lots of 510 in the family. I grew up in the backseat of a sss 510. My first car was a 63 Datsun 1200 and currently have a 68 SRL311. Thanks for posting this video it brings back good memories. Do it in a Datsun...
Your story sounds familiar....
Good for you - those are extremely cool cars.
I will never get tired of Datsuns. I daily drive a 76 280z 2+2 and the L series engine just sings. It's not a lot of horsepower in today's world but the experience of driving a vintage Datsun is special.
One of the greatest Datsun ever!
Love the sound of those 510's!! Carbs just gave the racing cars of those days a great sound! It would take ITB's to get a car to sound like that today. Also, this race series and this particular season signified the changing of the guard from European to Japanese cars in small car performance in my opinion. Mazda would really drive it home with the RX-7 in the eighties and their multiple back to back IMSA GTU championships.
The 510 was no imitation of BMW.It was design after the Datsun 410/411.
such a nice 'blast from the past'>i was just a kid during this time and my older folks used to praise these Datsun SSS..they called it 'king of the road'.
The 510 was designed specifically around the concept of the highest power to weight ratio possible. Believing light weight meant poor quality was a common misconception, when in fact, it's what makes this car perform as well as it does. Returning WWII airplane mechanics knew, the lighter it is the faster it goes.
The 510 also has 50/50 weight distribution, a very low center of gravity, and semi trailing arm independent rear suspension that keeps the rear tires planted in hard corners. This allowed it to accelerate out of corners much earlier than the Alfa and the BMW. Set up right, once you hit the apex of a corner, you can loosen your grip on the steering wheel, hit the gas, engine
mport
Datsun510zen The way you describe the to pick your line and nail the Gas and being launched out of the Apex, is exactly the way my Fiesta ST handles. 197 hp & 202 ft pound of torque at 2700 pounds, with a Close ratio 6 speed. I had a 1972 510 in 1972. I got to see the Riverside raceway race.
We had a 1973 Datsun 610, when I was just beginning to drive, back in the '70's. It was bigger and heavier than the 510 (2500lbs), but had the same great independent suspension as the 510. It handled great! I wasn't aware at the time, but 610's were used for racing, after they quit making the 510.
Everyone hated to see the legendary Datsun 510 go, so a few years later, Nissan brought it back, but unfortunately, it was a Datsun 510 in name only. If I remember correctly, it didn't have the independent rear suspension, which was key to a Datsun 510 actually being a Datsun 510!
What a great era John Morton/Peter Brock and BRE/Datsun created. I was too young to drive. Yes, I built the 46/240Z model, of course. I'm not entirely sure how I came to know of the BRE Datsuns. I'm guessing maybe from automotive magazine covers way back then. Such an iconic livery.
And the rest is History!!! The 510 is quite an extraordinary car.
proud 510 owner, mine rips with a l20b engine and of course i wont sell it!
lots of 4 doors around here. when I'm out of the service I'm building a rally car.
your 510 has coupe tail lights while being a sedan. Weird
+Dylan McCallister 4 door sedans, while the BRE was still a sedan... a 2 door sedan. Wagons are best
Zupprezed dude the factory rally cars that won the east african safari in 70 are 4 door cars. A 2 door rally car is stupid, you can't get to your tools very quickly, and when you need to change a flat in the middle of a stage that is big frickin deal. seconds are miles.
also, a wagon rally car? That is the size of a 240z with none of the handling or power, which if you are going to race a car that big get a z. They have a even better rally history, and they are very stable at high speed but not great on tight stages which is why I want a 4 door 510.
Would love to meet the 8 goobers who gave this amazing video a thumbs down. One would be the idiot who almost got picked off strolling across pit row at Laguna and the other 7 from the Alpha team?
im going to say this for again u cant kill a Datsun..........
that was brilliant! when cars were cars, drivers were drivers, racing was racing... and competition was everything
when the race drivers used to work on their cars ♥
so cool. these are the reasons I love datsuns :D
Such an incredible video. Every time I watch it seems to be my first time. That was real drivers and real racing for sure ! Definitely love John Morton's way of thinking, I guess you're my hero haha. I only own an old '84 Golf GTi that makes me happy everytime I drive it but owning a 510/Z432/KPGC10 is an ultimate goal for me. One day...
Cool bit of History.
Watching those cars, that slightly tail-out handling is what makes driving fun!
I've been hoping someone would post this film--known of it, but never saw it before. Many thanks!
Love the Mini and Anglia and Escort and Saab running as backmarkers, LOL.
It's now 2023 and I just watched this for the first time. Absolutely fantastic film. Enjoyed every minute of it. I had to laugh when the Italian manufacturer (Alfa) was found to be cheating! Really, Italian manufacturer cheating in motor racing, no.......that never happens!🤣😂🤣😂
Such an iconic brand . So sad that its now struggling under Renault management. They made some of their best cars in the nineties and its ironic that they went bankrupt by 1999 resulting in the Renault takeover . I would take a 90s nissan over any japanese rival.
Tomorrow I will finally receive my recently passed out dad's old Datsun Bluebird '68, shame it is the older chassis but it is in top shape and should run smoothly, just need to do an brake operarion and then take it for the spin. Bluebirds, what an great cars, keep up the good work at racing tracks o/
Fantastic video!! Datsun 510s are so underrated. I'm looking for one in that I can enter in antique races. It's hard to believe that the 510s where even beating Ford Escorts in the video!!
Thanks to you brought us this video, i currently own an E36 M3, my next car will gonna be this giant killer, simple, functional and elegant.
WOW. I now look at my 51o in a whole new light...
Alpha "if you ain't cheating, you ain't trying"
alfa*
When they mentioned the Alfa team cheating with a larger fuel tank.....it brought back memories. In the mid 90s I remember reading about this race in Sport Compact Car magazine. That was when I had my '81 510(wished it was a '68-'73).
I wish tv was still like this. Very inspirational... And some day i want to buy and build a 240 or 510 i just need to decide what to get and i need to get older im only 18
Make no mistake,John was a great driver!
I owned my 71 510 for 16 years , had to sell it to a friend and it was crashed in less than a month. Part of me will always be with that car.
great film, thanks for sharing :)
I first saw this as a 16mm film about 1981 when our 510 club borrowed it from Nissan. During the 80s, I got permission from Nissan to make VHS copies for 510 owners.
El legendario 510.
Read about this on import tuner...I love the Hino Era cars...wish the made more...
Rip riverside international raceway
I was There!
Been looking for this video! Thanks for posting...
I must get some of those flared arches on those Datsuns :)
amazing car man just amazing
I saw John Morton at the Canby Datsun show this year.
Canby? Not Canby California, thats too close to me
@VirtualMayhem Don't forget the Triumph Vitesse, which makes a brief appearance around 2:20.
@VirtualMayhem kept looking for that anglia (my 1st car a 1959) think i saw a cortina maybe
Now I want my 510 back ,thank you nice video
ease up mate, renault are great. I own a datto 510 and a renault 12.
Both in the same era and they're both amazing cars!
Is there anywhere where this is available in HD to buy? Probably not, but that would be AWESOME.
IF it wasnt for Facebook i wouldnt have found this KICK ASSS vidd about 510's
Nice video!
Very Cool
Datsun to start building cars again soon!
the best datsun video
what model of alpha where they talking about here ? the volvo they used was it a 240DL and the Fiat was it a 500 ? The BmW was it a early m series hell in no car guy Im guessing here any help from real mechanics out there? Pls advise?
great..... the best.....
The good old days
Competed with a 1970 510 from 1975 to 1978 on a 1.6 mile circuit track at AMP near Halifax NS Canada. Tight track with eleven corners .Great experience 1600 Bottom end , flat tops & Twin 45 doc Webbers. 1800 top end shaved 55 000 .Cam that gave power between four & eight thousand .4/11 locked ear end . Ran 10.5 inch slicks from a formula Atlantic .Comp front struts & lowered rear suspension Cross member was .5" off ground with 10.5 slicks .Ran twin brake cylinders with proportional valve for brake bias control Wow it was fun
I want to know the set up I want to build my l20 to have 185 hp
Thanks Jeff thats great.
Lady at the start is gorgeous.
love the fact that Nissan made jobs for the natives
my father had 1 of these during the gas shortage of the 1970's I think not sure but i remeber it well it was a 1968 510 and it was a ugly little car and it need a paint job my Father bought 1 case of rust kill spray paint from Ace Hardware Store and painted it flat black I learned to drive stick shift with this car itr was a 4 cylinder with a 4 speed cool little car back in 1981 my Father sold it real cheap to a Nieghbor Lady who desparetly needed a car it was a play thing for us but to her it saved her and her family !
Legendary.
Did I see a Triumph vitesse???.
Is 2018 and I owned a 72 datsun 510.... and of course is not for sale.
Awesome
Datsun 210 Honey Bee took the win !!!!
What? I'm not butthurt? Just simply said I enjoy the 510's looks more then the 2002. Race records show that 15 out of 21 races were won by the 510 over the 2002. Also, just because he was inspired by the 2002 doesn't make it an imitation. This coming from a 2002 fan as well. I enjoy both cars, but saying the 510 is an imitation is asinine.
nice
go go go datsun
amazing!!!!
where did you find this film?
7:53 What sound?
Great!
That last race is perhaps the most intense race I've ever witnessed, too bad Alfa Romeo cheated... Then it would of made history.
Morton looks good here,k but he referred to the 510's as the "little shit boxes".
Salut my friend super car super video subscribe subscribe ..
Nissan is reviving the datsun brand.The decision to change the name Datsun to Nissan in the U.S. was announced in the fall of 1981.I can still remember when they made the transition some cars had datsun and nissan name plates on them.Lol I knew my comment would get some reaction.Sorry No offense dude.
If it is on film, then it is possible. Film does not have a "pixel resolution."
they had full factory backing ??? I thought the reason why Peter gave up racing Datsuns was because of is calls for Factory backing went Unanswered.
Forgot to say ,Much better times then !!!.
I'm amazed at the levels of ignorance on the internet! I can't believe THIRTEEN idiots gave this splendid video thumbs down.
Literally the EXACT response I would expect from a 510 fan. I don't see what's so controversial about it. Yutaka Katayama (Datsun's President during the time) admitted that the 510 was "inspired" by the 1966-67 2002's and the 1602's. Granted, I was pissed off by a 510 Fanboy some time ago because he kept posting shit on 2002 vids. So, I was merely returning the favor. Apologies for any butthurt I may have caused. Have a pleasant day.
What year is this video from?
Tell 'em!
I think our Peter Brock was actually killed in a car owned by the US P Brock...this man, I assume.
Old school
240p yumm
How do i get mine to run like that!?
Levi Sanchez spend 20,000 dollars.
what year was this made?
looks like in the early mid 70's
Either 1971 or 1972
Either 1971 or 1972
pre race reefer at 19min46sec
Wow, everyone got pissed since the last time I was on here! I even got called a cunt! Very creative insult, almost as creative as the 510... When you think about it, the odds were actually pretty well stacked in the 510's favor, far more so than the Alfa had with the bigger tank. The 510s had straight sixes under the hood while the 02s and alfas had their stock configuration 4's. The 510 weighed less because the sheet metal was so thin and flimsy, a rusty beer can had more structural integrity. Not to mention they had full factory backing. Maybe some things I said last year were unnecessary, but that being said, I drive my 02 every day. I have never seen a 510 on the road, only in the junkyard. I just wanted to throw in my final 2 cents. Don't bother wearing out your keyboard either, I have no interest in this video anymore. To me, and to many other gear heads, the 2002 will always be the best of the sports sedans. Enjoy your 510's.
510's didn't come with a straight six. BRE never ran one with a straight six I believe. I drive my 510 28 miles a day, every day, up and down a twisty hill to and from work. I am enjoying my 510 thank you.
I also enjoy and respect 2002's. A guy in my neck of the woods has a couple BAD ASS ones.
haha 510s had a straight six?? Try a 1.6 liter 4 cylinder. You dont even know what your talking about, no wonder everyone laughed at you last time you replied, but thanks for coming back and continuing to embarrass yourself for all of our amusement.
I'm split between both of these cars l0l
+NITROUSINJECTEDFISHY
One word to describe this little fish, troll, but a successful troll cuz he managed to hook you guys.
Everyone knows the 510 is the undisputed OG Japanese tuner car, even him. Guy's probably a Chevy fanboy mullet head driving a 93 Camaro. Of course he's a hater.
I have slot car never seen live movie
volvol totoos..
Cheating to win?Forza Alfa!!!!!!
I will always remember when I was 16yrs old driving my 510 around Long Beach and always these nerdy looking old guys would try to get me to sell it to them. I never did and it was my only car for the next 16 years untill it was crashed by a girl. Don't let women drive Datsun's!
I'd prefer a BMW 2002TI, Ford Lotus Cortina, Ford Escort RS1600, or an Alfa Romeo GTV over a 510. I'm not really sure why. I think it's mainly because the 510 is an imitation of a BMW 1602.
Americans used to be great racing drivers