I so appreciate Jay including guys and cars like this, great guy and great car. I'm so impressed that a guy like Jay, with his $ millions, so easily relates to and genuinely appreciates a guy like this dude who really represents the vast majority of those in the hobby.
Lavon Watson This was way better than some builder to the Stars with his 200k$ bull crap car. “What if like NASCAR had a top secret program or what if we just make the most ridiculously unrealistic car ever & charge rich people hundreds of thousands of dollars for it?”
@@bfielder9097 Apparently he was known to go to open houses and hide in a closet so after the realtor left he could stay over for a few days and have a place to sleep. He deserves all he's worked for and it pisses me off that clowns like Howard Stern blast him.
May be my favorite episode-this guest is so genuinely enthusiastic and proud of his ride-plus Leno is so cool geeking out with him as only an authentic gearhead would. Well done!
So true! Surrounded by cars worth far, far more and with a more "respected" pedigree yet Jay is 100% into the '70 Datsun project car and its enthusiast owner. And when he says cars like this can be better than a supercar, he has considerable experience to back that up.
The Datsun 510 was such a great car. It was designed to be an economical car for the masses and almost immediately was embraced by the sporting community. It was hugely successful in SCCA racing and was so easy to modify. I had three of them: 1970 and '71 sedans and a '71 station wagon. Datsun really knocked one out of the park with this design just as they did with the 240Z and I'm glad to see them embraced by the younger folks nowadays. The prices have gone through the roof if you can find one it good shape.
I've been binge watching this channel for the last few weeks, Jay puts no adverts (at least as I can see) and just wants to talk shop with people who have a genuine passion. I am game for this
1970 510 4-door, 4 speed was my first car (bought in '77 plastic still on the back seats). Loved it! Drove it from Vancouver to Ottawa. Traded it a couple of years later for a '77 Pontiac Sunbird that rotted out. Wish I had the 510 now.
Wow what a beautiful car sometimes simplicity has more beauty than a car with a million modifications props to this guy for such a quality build Im glad Jay posted this I love his genuine connection with the average car guy
The mirrors are out on the fenders, A: more clearance left, right on narrow Japanese streets. B: You can see them through the windscreen, so you don't have to take your eyes off the road. So they are actually function over aesthetics.
Sounds like you've driven in Kyoto too. So many times I had to push the mirror button so my Sienta could make it past trees and posts That had been there for centuries.
their only downside really is that you have to get outta the car to adjust them, if they had a wire running from them to the interior to do it from the driver's seat, it would be perfect
"The 90's are last Thursday." Jay, you're the best. Love your show. Guess one has to really love this type of car to see the value in it. He did a great job. Other than that, I digress. It's refreshing to see you giving the average Joe a vlog. I'm sure there are legions of fans who love this car. He worked hard and did a A plus job. Nuf said.
This is what I love about this channel. If I saw this car at a car show, I’d probably just walk past it but Jay makes vehicles that wouldn’t otherwise catch my eye interesting.
My mom’s first car... she still talks about how she unexpectedly was given a set of mags from my father as a birthday gift the first year they were together. She still doesn’t fully understand why my father, a lifelong car guy, would do such a thing
A 510 was your moms first car!? That friggin rocks! Oh heck yeah. They are so fun to drive. I pray when you graduated high school they gave it to ya! Cheers!
I think these are legends EVERYWHERE. My dad used to own a wagon. If I could turn back the clock, I would have begged him to keep it around for my first ride. Instead, I got a '79 210 (not a 'B'), which sold in the U.S. with a one-year look, not quite as cool as the 510, but plenty loveable.
Cool, always liked the 510's. Way back in 1974 I was working at the grocery store and a 16 yr old kid there had a 510. It was orange and very cool. One ride was all it took to get a feel of how great those cars were. Thanks Jay.
The bible for interchangeable car parts is the Hollander Interchange Manual. It will tell you, for example, that the timing cover for a 1976 GMC Truck also fits a 1969 Corvette.
snmthecloser ... So the timing cover from a '76 GMC C65 with the 366 will fit a '69 Vette with a 327, eh? I'm being a little bit facetious. Obviously the engines have to be from the same family. Hollander does what it can, but a user HAS to have a modicum of knowledge from experience.
@@barrybend7189 How lucky you guys are.. And here I am trying to buy an O2 sensor for my SAAB and only 1 has the correct connector pattern.... I have to do research to find Part Numbers and then make a list of those to keep track in case I need the same thing twice. And I haven't even cracked open the head or the transmission yet.. Yikes
Yep I tried to get a 510 around the time this guy did but they were 4 5 grand for crap boxs so I bought a cheaper datsun 1200 2 dr sedan it's like slightly smaller version of the 510 or b210, anyway the 1200 is a blast totally feel in love with it. Oh yeah Jay did the truck version of the 1200 with that skyline front end.
I bought a Datsun 510 in 1971 for $1900 . I loved these cars . Thanks for showing this car. Great car. The color is the same as my, but mine was stock.
I've had two of the 240sx's and two of the hardbody pickups with this engine, and loved them. They're really bullet proof, and rarely give any trouble even with well over 200k miles on them. The power band is a bit lumpy, but that low end torque is great for tooling around town or pulling hills in high gear.
I learned to drive in my Dad's 1970 Datsun 510, pale yellow station wagon. It was a great car, very reliable engine and transmission. In 1980 the police pulled him over and told him he could not ever drive that car again, because rust. It was totally perforated, you could see the road through the floor pans, and all body panels had big rust holes. But it still drove great. One thing people have maybe forgotten is that the 510 was a popular choice as a rally car. It was cheap, rear wheel drive, easily converted to rally conditions. The beige colour of Jonathan's 510 is actually pretty close to the pale yellow that was a standard Datsun colour, so it took me back! Great episode, and nice ride!
I had one of these in the late 80s. Joined the Army, and my mom sold it while I was in basic training. FOR $75!! because it had 2 flat tires. To this day, I still give her hell for it.
Bought my dad's 510 wagon and with an upgraded suspension, even the solid rear axle wagon was fun. Solidly built engine and drivetrain. Never had any issues with it.
This might be my new favorite Jay Leno's Garage episode. The Datsun 510 has always been a car I love to see. The owner seems like an everyday enthusiast, like the rest of us, and Jay is as always, a man of the people. Did anyone else notice the BMW E21 320i at 16:36. It appears to be a Baur (targa/convertible) style conversion!
I talked my mother-in law into one of these in 1970. It was a canary yellow one with chrome wheels and automatic trans that the dealer had "dolled up" for the showroom. I was a big fan of the SCCA Trans Am and drove a '67 BMW 1600 sedan at the time and was amazed when these started beating the BMWs and Alfas in the B production class. The hot ticket to build them in the 80s was to install the 2 liter engine from the Datsun 2000 roadster with it's 5-speed gearbox. Nice feature on this one!
Again, thank you Jay for having JDM builds like this Datsun 510. A lot of the kids that used to drag race imports in the 1990s are adults with jobs now. Times are changing. The JDM craze lives!
They were called a Datsun 1600 in Australia. Great car and years later were modified with hotter and more potent Datsun motors, and often suspension and brake parts from the Datsun 240K and rallied for years. I met a bloke with one that would hit 100mph in about 100 metres on gravel. Top speed was about 130 mph, in rally gearing. Probably would have done 150-160 if geared for it.
It was also the Datsun 1600 here in South Africa. The SSS knocked the much-loved Cortina GT off its perch as the young guy's performance saloon of choice. Technically, it was quite an advance over the Cortina Mk 2. The 1600 SSS was also very nice to drive (although I seem to remember the brakes were a weak point). The Datsun did very well on the race track, too - especially a modified version.
Před 5 lety+1
A lot of guys put the 1800 and 2000 pick up motors in them
Thank you Jay for showing so much love to the 510! I've owned two of these and can attest they are fantastic cars. Everything you said is spot on. Light weight, independent suspension, rear drive, manual trans, disc brakes, cheap parts, great looking.
Bought a 1972 510 in 1979 while in Italy with the Air Force. Handling was so great I put Pirellis on it, which only made it better. Now I have a 1995 King Cab with the KA24E. Coming up on 283,000 miles and the 2nd owner assured me the head has never been off it. Great choice for durability.
I worked at the only Datsun dealer in large Midwest city. Since only 2 other techs worked on Datsun, I was given everything that came in the door for 12 years, with my 76 280Z, 75 510 sedan and wagon. After I bought my 76 620 pickup, my wife said no more. These had independent rear drive with the diff bolted to the frame. Moved and found a 1969 1600 a Roadster and did a frame off restoration. Still have as the others sold while keeping the 620 PU. I have extra diff’s, brakes and other parts & the “Datsun Race” catalog with everything needed for each line of Datsun vehicles. Had a 620 given to me and made a matching tow trailer from it. Stop on a road to “U” turn as me eye caught another beat up 1600 Roadster that had a factory roll bar. Even convertible, Datsun used a welded box frame and the roll bar bolts to the frame. Did everything on these as I took tests my service mgr. offered extra pay per tests I past and got all 8. It was called National Institute for Service Excellence later shorten to ASE. So for me, it was a special time. Love watching but wish it was just stock, I guess. Naah!
This was my first new car, a 1972 two door. I worked at the dealership at the time, and had Fenton mags with Dunlop radials and an AM radio installed. The mags were stolen from my underground parking shortly after, and I replaced them with 610 wheels (half an inch wider) and a good set of Michelins. Should have done that in the first place. The car in this looks very much 1970 except it has 1968 front park/turn signal lights. Hard to tell but it looks like the tail lights have amber turn signals. They wouldn't have been in North America. Also, it would have had side marker lights. Maybe they were eliminated? Not being picky. Just the observations of an old parts guy.
Great car! Always heard that in their day, these were the "poor man's BMW 1600/2000", and I can see why: light weight, 5 speed, appropriate power, good brakes, rigid body... Too much fun!
My pops used to have a blue 510 Wagon with a rusty roof that leaked in the rain but it got us around. Lovely build Jonathan, hoping you get to go to Japan soon!
I was 12 years old in 1967 and living in a small town in Japan called Hayama Beach. There was a car club that would hang out at the local dance hall about half a mile from my home where I got to know some of the car owners, and more than a few times I snuck out of the house around midnight to get a hair raising ride in one of the nineteen-sixty something Datsun or Toyota hotrods. The streets there were very narrow so although I doubt we were going over 50 mph, it seemed like we surely must have been doing over 100! The cars were very similar to this 510 and to a 12 year old boy they were incredibly exciting to experience. Nice work on your ride sir!
Hi Jay still miss you alot late night . The tonight show is just not the same without you. Thank you for all the times you made me laugh. Love your CZcams channel you got some of the coolest cars.
I had a 72 510 back in the day that little car was the most fun i ever had killing porshes in a car i had spent under 3k on wink mirror fits very nicely and really opens up your field of view
We had a 1971 510. In Mexico it only came four doors. I learned to drive in this car and one of my dreams is to buy and restore one. By the way, we changed the original 1500 engine and four speed gearbox to a 1800 matched with a five speed box. And put some Recaro seats and a Momo steering wheel. Love the video. Thanks for the memoirs!
I've always loved the old Datsun's, but I just recently found out about the 510 and I'm really loving it. Nissan has got to put something like this into production
If they did put a new one into production, it would be very complex with a bucket load full of computers and weigh 3500#. The days of the 510 are past, gone forever. Your only chance is to buy an old one in good shape. It’ll never lose any value.
Some people seek out Pintos and Gremlins, who am I to judge if one fancies a Japanese econobox .... more power to you, but in the world I lived in if you had a newer car or a Mustang or a pickup truck it was 50 times 'better' (to girls, more 'prestigious', etc.), and I knew nobody who wanted a Datsun unless maybe it was a 240z.
My older brother went to college riding an immaculate orange Yamaha motorcycle in the 1970's. He always locked it up with a hardened chain. After school he discovered that someone cut the chain and stole his precious Yamaha. Mom and Dad bought my brother a new 1972 burnt orange Datsun 510. He became a BRE enthusiast. He never rode another motorcycle again.
Jay your passion for the " home garage builder" has always been strong. Thats what is of your. Generation drum and bugle corps, rock and roll and after school/ work. Building a car out in the garage. Jay your from NewEngland so you remember Bruce Springsteen croning "Racing In The Streets " on the radio while wrenching in the garage. Old cars are almost all gone, time for personal space craft modding...its closer than we all know. But thanks Jay for always bringing to your garage the "car builders from home garage's"
Two 510s now. One of if not my favorite car. I probably would have stuck with the L series myself. Unfortunately, 510s are getting as expensive as 32 Fords and 57 Chevys.
I fell in love with the 510 way way back when. Later when I got acquainted with the BMW 2002 I decided it was Datsun's version of that car. They had a lot of power, handled nice, but rusted so easily. The same with the 2002, the suspension mounts in back disappear in rust.
I'm a boomer that loves the 510. That handsome boxy styling, good handling and reliable power made them successful for BRE and Bob Sharpe Racing (Paul Neuman too). The later ones had independent rear suspension. They were and perhaps are such a cult car. Johnathan, I like it just the way it is. I am not sure I would change much. And that includes the paint. I'm with you. Beige paint wouldn't be the color that would be a first choice, but it looks so good on the car with black accents. Good job on a sweet build.
Had a Datsun 200 SX myself in ‘83. What a beautiful driver it was. Full boat options, including a “Tape Voice” option that worked on sensors in the car that told you “ Driver door open”, Fuel level is low”...stuff like that. Had a 2.4/ 4 cylinder, twin spark plug head, DOHC, 12 valve (2 intake, 1 exhaust) 5 speed. Got it to chirp into 2nd! Great car!
Echoing other comments and continue to “toot” JL’s horn - thanks for being such a down to Earth enthusiast and sharing these cars, as well as connecting us with the owners. Love this dude. Dating? No. I want to autocross! 🤣🤣🤣 Priorities!
There were young race fans in the 1970s that are pretty much old men women now. This was a different age, the beginning of Japanese Cars Love Affair. Datsun was the leader in Japanese motorsports in their time of Z cars, GTRs and 510s
Yep, at 70 yrs of age, I/we can remember various iterations of Datsun, Toyota, Mazda, etc., from mid 60's thru 70's, 80's onward to now. 510's? Who knew? 😅
My family had Datsun 510 wagons growing up. They are tanks! I got start learning to drive in the last one we owned before joining the Army in 89. As long as you changed the oil and carried a set of points with you they lasted forever.
They forgot to mention that the 510 was considered the "Poor Man's BMW." Its rear suspension was a copy of the 2002. I had Tokico BMW rear race shocks on my 510.
I so appreciate Jay including guys and cars like this, great guy and great car. I'm so impressed that a guy like Jay, with his $ millions, so easily relates to and genuinely appreciates a guy like this dude who really represents the vast majority of those in the hobby.
Lavon Watson This was way better than some builder to the Stars with his 200k$ bull crap car. “What if like NASCAR had a top secret program or what if we just make the most ridiculously unrealistic car ever & charge rich people hundreds of thousands of dollars for it?”
Lavon Watson 🤙. So true
People love to rag on Jay, but he's a pretty cool dude.
Jay wasn't always rich. Dude lived in his car for a while.
@@bfielder9097 Apparently he was known to go to open houses and hide in a closet so after the realtor left he could stay over for a few days and have a place to sleep. He deserves all he's worked for and it pisses me off that clowns like Howard Stern blast him.
May be my favorite episode-this guest is so genuinely enthusiastic and proud of his ride-plus Leno is so cool geeking out with him as only an authentic gearhead would. Well done!
true
So true! Surrounded by cars worth far, far more and with a more "respected" pedigree yet Jay is 100% into the '70 Datsun project car and its enthusiast owner. And when he says cars like this can be better than a supercar, he has considerable experience to back that up.
The owners enthusiasm is terrific. And yes, for some of us the 90's do seem like they were just "last Thursday!"
The Datsun 510 was such a great car. It was designed to be an economical car for the masses and almost immediately was embraced by the sporting community. It was hugely successful in SCCA racing and was so easy to modify. I had three of them: 1970 and '71 sedans and a '71 station wagon. Datsun really knocked one out of the park with this design just as they did with the 240Z and I'm glad to see them embraced by the younger folks nowadays. The prices have gone through the roof if you can find one it good shape.
Those wheels and tires look great. So tired of old cars with low-pro tires. Cars like this need sidewall
Real talk👍
👍 It be nice if the modern stuff got sidewalls every once in a while
I typically don’t go over 17’s on my early 90’s cars. I like to be at 275-45r17 on the rear
Yep. I love the phat tires on black wheels look. It just looks right on a small car like this.
No they don't. They need whatever the owner feels like putting on their own car.
This is exactly what I want. Damn the internet and driving up the cost of Datsuns.
I had many of these 510's, I have so many spare whole car parts. If you ever wanted to build one? I could have parts for it.
This car, the Nissan Skyline, and the Mazda 1973 RX3 are the coolest cars. Great episode
I've been binge watching this channel for the last few weeks, Jay puts no adverts (at least as I can see) and just wants to talk shop with people who have a genuine passion. I am game for this
Probably one of my favourite episodes - after the grey RX3 ...
These were the cars I was totally into in high school 👍
I am 51 and we loved them in the late 80's - i had a wagon 71 - so much fun!
Jay, you’re out of your uniform
Right. Who's this guy in the black jacket?
Love the cool jacket though.
Denim Dan..
that's how he gets these cool cars he saves all his money because he doesn't buy clothes. one Dependable blue denim shirt
That's his second uniform. AKA Sunday Best!
1970 510 4-door, 4 speed was my first car (bought in '77 plastic still on the back seats). Loved it! Drove it from Vancouver to Ottawa. Traded it a couple of years later for a '77 Pontiac Sunbird that rotted out. Wish I had the 510 now.
Wow what a beautiful car sometimes simplicity has more beauty than a car with a million modifications props to this guy for such a quality build Im glad Jay posted this I love his genuine connection with the average car guy
The mirrors are out on the fenders, A: more clearance left, right on narrow Japanese streets. B: You can see them through the windscreen, so you don't have to take your eyes off the road.
So they are actually function over aesthetics.
They work well. I believe the reason is that they are not so pedestrian safe
No blind spots either! Always loved the old fender mounted side mirrors
Sounds like you've driven in Kyoto too. So many times I had to push the mirror button so my Sienta could make it past trees and posts That had been there for centuries.
their only downside really is that you have to get outta the car to adjust them, if they had a wire running from them to the interior to do it from the driver's seat, it would be perfect
@@Z-Twinturbo or like the mirrors on those Nissan S-Cargos, they had no tension at all so if you go over 50kmph the wind would push them down lol
I love that he used that engine when everyone else throws them away. Keep it its a great engine!
which engine is it?
@@kennedymureithi8247 Ka24
"The 90's are last Thursday." Jay, you're the best. Love your show. Guess one has to really love this type of car to see the value in it. He did a great job. Other than that, I digress. It's refreshing to see you giving the average Joe a vlog. I'm sure there are legions of fans who love this car. He worked hard and did a A plus job. Nuf said.
This is what I love about this channel. If I saw this car at a car show, I’d probably just walk past it but Jay makes vehicles that wouldn’t otherwise catch my eye interesting.
My mom’s first car... she still talks about how she unexpectedly was given a set of mags from my father as a birthday gift the first year they were together. She still doesn’t fully understand why my father, a lifelong car guy, would do such a thing
A 510 was your moms first car!? That friggin rocks! Oh heck yeah. They are so fun to drive. I pray when you graduated high school they gave it to ya! Cheers!
In Puerto Rico 🇵🇷 this cars are LEGENDS.
A buddy had a 510 POLICE car.It was fast. Came from japan.
I think these are legends EVERYWHERE. My dad used to own a wagon. If I could turn back the clock, I would have begged him to keep it around for my first ride. Instead, I got a '79 210 (not a 'B'), which sold in the U.S. with a one-year look, not quite as cool as the 510, but plenty loveable.
It doesn’t need more engine, 130-140 bhp is perfect 👌🏻
The newer the car , the heavier the body gets
@@janhakola4362 I like yellow
Oh I dunno a turbo engine would be nice. More power! Oh oh oh oh oh. "Say it like Tim the tool man".
@@richardcollis4743 I agree a modern turbo is fun for a daily driver with that low end torque, but NA is fun as well.
Lol wish mines was 130hp
Cool, always liked the 510's. Way back in 1974 I was working at the grocery store and a 16 yr old kid there had a 510. It was orange and very cool. One ride was all it took to get a feel of how great those cars were. Thanks Jay.
The bible for interchangeable car parts is the Hollander Interchange Manual. It will tell you, for example, that the timing cover for a 1976 GMC Truck also fits a 1969 Corvette.
snmthecloser thanks
snmthecloser ... So the timing cover from a '76 GMC C65 with the 366 will fit a '69 Vette with a 327, eh?
I'm being a little bit facetious. Obviously the engines have to be from the same family. Hollander does what it can, but a user HAS to have a modicum of knowledge from experience.
Or you can replace the Chevy Caprice wagon's stock engine with the 82 corvettes engine without mods.
@@barrybend7189 How lucky you guys are.. And here I am trying to buy an O2 sensor for my SAAB and only 1 has the correct connector pattern.... I have to do research to find Part Numbers and then make a list of those to keep track in case I need the same thing twice. And I haven't even cracked open the head or the transmission yet.. Yikes
That's not complicated
Always had a love for old Datsun vehicles! Too bad prices keep going up, I’ll just have to enjoy videos of them
They have character
Yep I tried to get a 510 around the time this guy did but they were 4 5 grand for crap boxs so I bought a cheaper datsun 1200 2 dr sedan it's like slightly smaller version of the 510 or b210, anyway the 1200 is a blast totally feel in love with it. Oh yeah Jay did the truck version of the 1200 with that skyline front end.
Back in the early 70s I had a neighbor who had an orange 510 and bragged that he could fill it up for $5.
the pacific northwest is a good place to hunt for one. That place is like the cuba of the usa.
Loved these since I was a kid,...they were new then!
I bought a Datsun 510 in 1971 for $1900 . I loved these cars . Thanks for showing this car. Great car. The color is the same as my, but mine was stock.
I don't think I ever thought that I would miss the ka24 in my 240 but seeing it here definitely brings back fond memories.
I've had two of the 240sx's and two of the hardbody pickups with this engine, and loved them. They're really bullet proof, and rarely give any trouble even with well over 200k miles on them. The power band is a bit lumpy, but that low end torque is great for tooling around town or pulling hills in high gear.
I LOVE THIS.... REAL, VALID, CLEAN and a great car. Thank you Mr. Leno I enjoyed your show with this owner/builder
I had a 1978 510 hatchback in blue with black louvers over the rear window and chrome wheels. It was so much fun.
The car weight bit just cracked me up. You're a good guy, Jay. LOVE this series. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Jay... love these 510s thanks for posting this for us...
qdood it looks like a Lada
This is one of those bucket list vehicles.
das 1988 I see what you did here...🤔
@@Anth230 it's "kick the bucket".
In 2019. Back in 1990 you would be considered poor if your main car was a Datsun 510 because you could buy a good one for like 500 dollars.
@@johna1160 Yeah I know ......the result of typing fast and not checking what spell checker did...
More like Craigslist!
I learned to drive in my Dad's 1970 Datsun 510, pale yellow station wagon. It was a great car, very reliable engine and transmission. In 1980 the police pulled him over and told him he could not ever drive that car again, because rust. It was totally perforated, you could see the road through the floor pans, and all body panels had big rust holes. But it still drove great. One thing people have maybe forgotten is that the 510 was a popular choice as a rally car. It was cheap, rear wheel drive, easily converted to rally conditions. The beige colour of Jonathan's 510 is actually pretty close to the pale yellow that was a standard Datsun colour, so it took me back! Great episode, and nice ride!
I like how he used a auto power half cage. Simple and it works. Very tastefully done.
15:53
That's a beautiful shot. Looks like it was shot in Japan with the cherry blossom
Indeed! I thought the same when I saw it.
Thats good old burbank California. My home town.
I had one of these in the late 80s. Joined the Army, and my mom sold it while I was in basic training. FOR $75!! because it had 2 flat tires. To this day, I still give her hell for it.
I owned a 1969 510 and I loved that little car. Wish I still had it
I learned to drive on my mother's Datsun 510 wagon- a blast to drive
Bought my dad's 510 wagon and with an upgraded suspension, even the solid rear axle wagon was fun. Solidly built engine and drivetrain. Never had any issues with it.
"Will it ever be finished?" "I doubt it" Car guy truism (raises glass)
One of my favorite episodes EVER! Jay in top form. Fantastic build, nice work!
I miss my datsun 510.. it was just like this in 1982
This might be my new favorite Jay Leno's Garage episode. The Datsun 510 has always been a car I love to see. The owner seems like an everyday enthusiast, like the rest of us, and Jay is as always, a man of the people. Did anyone else notice the BMW E21 320i at 16:36. It appears to be a Baur (targa/convertible) style conversion!
Those engines are great. Really reliable and easy to work on. I would port it do some other mods and keep that engine.
The Guy is nice, Jay is nice and the Car is Beautiful!!
Shifter is perfect... Rally heights
greetings from
Switzerland
Gruess us de Schwiiz retour...🙋🏼♂️
I talked my mother-in law into one of these in 1970. It was a canary yellow one with chrome wheels and automatic trans that the dealer had "dolled up" for the showroom. I was a big fan of the SCCA Trans Am and drove a '67 BMW 1600 sedan at the time and was amazed when these started beating the BMWs and Alfas in the B production class. The hot ticket to build them in the 80s was to install the 2 liter engine from the Datsun 2000 roadster with it's 5-speed gearbox. Nice feature on this one!
Again, thank you Jay for having JDM builds like this Datsun 510. A lot of the kids that used to drag race imports in the 1990s are adults with jobs now. Times are changing. The JDM craze lives!
Small, simple, fun. Perfect!
They were called a Datsun 1600 in Australia. Great car and years later were modified with hotter and more potent Datsun motors, and often suspension and brake parts from the Datsun 240K and rallied for years. I met a bloke with one that would hit 100mph in about 100 metres on gravel. Top speed was about 130 mph, in rally gearing. Probably would have done 150-160 if geared for it.
It was also the Datsun 1600 here in South Africa. The SSS knocked the much-loved Cortina GT off its perch as the young guy's performance saloon of choice. Technically, it was quite an advance over the Cortina Mk 2. The 1600 SSS was also very nice to drive (although I seem to remember the brakes were a weak point). The Datsun did very well on the race track, too - especially a modified version.
A lot of guys put the 1800 and 2000 pick up motors in them
Datsun 1600 with IRS was the hobby rally car of choice for years. Great looking car and quick with a 1800 or 2000 engine.
All ours were 4 door
Same in Portugal
Love how excited/ nervous this guy is lol especially when Jay kept saying it's his car now.
Thank you Jay for showing so much love to the 510! I've owned two of these and can attest they are fantastic cars. Everything you said is spot on. Light weight, independent suspension, rear drive, manual trans, disc brakes, cheap parts, great looking.
well done Jonathon, well done. Kudos to your good friend and his garage space!
That's a nice car, but the blue one that the guy who worked on Jay's Tonight show put together was real sweet.
It was for sale about 2 years ago.
Bought a 1972 510 in 1979 while in Italy with the Air Force. Handling was so great I put Pirellis on it, which only made it better. Now I have a 1995 King Cab with the KA24E. Coming up on 283,000 miles and the 2nd owner assured me the head has never been off it. Great choice for durability.
The truck is over 3000# so not so quick, but it will still break the rear tires loose.
I worked at the only Datsun dealer in large Midwest city. Since only 2 other techs worked on Datsun, I was given everything that came in the door for 12 years, with my 76 280Z, 75 510 sedan and wagon. After I bought my 76 620 pickup, my wife said no more. These had independent rear drive with the diff bolted to the frame. Moved and found a 1969 1600 a Roadster and did a frame off restoration. Still have as the others sold while keeping the 620 PU. I have extra diff’s, brakes and other parts & the “Datsun Race” catalog with everything needed for each line of Datsun vehicles. Had a 620 given to me and made a matching tow trailer from it. Stop on a road to “U” turn as me eye caught another beat up 1600 Roadster that had a factory roll bar. Even convertible, Datsun used a welded box frame and the roll bar bolts to the frame. Did everything on these as I took tests my service mgr. offered extra pay per tests I past and got all 8. It was called National Institute for Service Excellence later shorten to ASE. So for me, it was a special time. Love watching but wish it was just stock, I guess. Naah!
Jay out of uniform looks like a Spectre henchman from the 70s period James Bond movies !
GOOD DAY MR BOND
LOL
Sam Neil screen tested for Agent 00seven, looked great
This was my first new car, a 1972 two door. I worked at the dealership at the time, and had Fenton mags with Dunlop radials and an AM radio installed. The mags were stolen from my underground parking shortly after, and I replaced them with 610 wheels (half an inch wider) and a good set of Michelins. Should have done that in the first place.
The car in this looks very much 1970 except it has 1968 front park/turn signal lights. Hard to tell but it looks like the tail lights have amber turn signals. They wouldn't have been in North America. Also, it would have had side marker lights. Maybe they were eliminated?
Not being picky. Just the observations of an old parts guy.
I put Corvair wheels on mine, same bolt pattern.
The owner said he likes the JDM look, which is why he has the bi-color turn signal lenses and the bi-color tail light lenses as well.
@@mexicanspec Ahh. Thanks. Must have missed that.
Did you get the '72 right before the gas crisis? A bet everyone wanted to buy your car off ya when the opec crisis hit.
Great car! Always heard that in their day, these were the "poor man's BMW 1600/2000", and I can see why: light weight, 5 speed, appropriate power, good brakes, rigid body... Too much fun!
Thank you Jay for this video!!! This 510 gets me out to the garage and work on my Datsun 280Z!! I love this 510 !!!
Don't bet against Jay. He knows cars!
the cage adds weight bruh lol
He thought that Plymouth gtx was way heavier than it really is, both he and the owner would have lost that car to me.
They're his scales - he'll always win.
Mike Wasfaret he has money..money buys..go to derelect donuts car show talk to guys almost all paid for work to be done very few motor heads
@@snoopyshultz The bigger engine and bigger wheels also ads weight
I remember growing up with these 510's back in Barbados 😀
My pops used to have a blue 510 Wagon with a rusty roof that leaked in the rain but it got us around. Lovely build Jonathan, hoping you get to go to Japan soon!
I was 12 years old in 1967 and living in a small town in Japan called Hayama Beach. There was a car club that would hang out at the local dance hall about half a mile from my home where I got to know some of the car owners, and more than a few times I snuck out of the house around midnight to get a hair raising ride in one of the nineteen-sixty something Datsun or Toyota hotrods. The streets there were very narrow so although I doubt we were going over 50 mph, it seemed like we surely must have been doing over 100! The cars were very similar to this 510 and to a 12 year old boy they were incredibly exciting to experience. Nice work on your ride sir!
Hi Jay still miss you alot late night . The tonight show is just not the same without you.
Thank you for all the times you made me laugh. Love your CZcams channel you got some of the coolest cars.
Melanie Brantner But he finally made it over the wall into full time car wizardry
The Tonight Show hasn't been the same since Johnny left.
@@OMGWTFLOLSMH Thank you!!!
Nice car, for sure. I like when people build cars and drive them.. I really have no use for trailer queens or museum fixtures! DRIVE THEM!
I had a 72 510 back in the day that little car was the most fun i ever had killing porshes in a car i had spent under 3k on
wink mirror fits very nicely and really opens up your field of view
In Australia we call them a Dato 1600. Very tidy not over done at all. Very cool 👍🏻👍🏻. A real drivers car. 🤤
Wow! Amazing little Japanese car! Thank you so much for the video!
Datsun and cherry Blossoms look SO good together in this shot @ 15:52
We had a 1971 510. In Mexico it only came four doors. I learned to drive in this car and one of my dreams is to buy and restore one. By the way, we changed the original 1500 engine and four speed gearbox to a 1800 matched with a five speed box. And put some Recaro seats and a Momo steering wheel. Love the video. Thanks for the memoirs!
My brother owned one of these, it was light blue and 4 doors. Great car.
I actually remember watching these race at the 24 Hours of Sebring (FL).
Paul Newman #33
Beautiful car. I enjoy these kind of builds, it’s something I can relate to.
I've always loved the old Datsun's, but I just recently found out about the 510 and I'm really loving it. Nissan has got to put something like this into production
If they did put a new one into production, it would be very complex with a bucket load full of computers and weigh 3500#. The days of the 510 are past, gone forever. Your only chance is to buy an old one in good shape. It’ll never lose any value.
So great to see. My first car was a Datsun 1600 (which is what the 510 was called in Australia). Loved it to bits.
My first car was a 1970 510 wagon 4spd manual. Loved that car. I wouldn't mind getting one to restore.
Agreed... but this was his passion? Yikes. This was a beater you drove between high school and it hitting the junkyard.
@@Menstral the same thing used to be said about 60's muscle cars back in the 80's and now look at how much they're fetching.
I was in high school in the 80s and that statement is not true. Muscle cars were highly prized, and the Toyotas and Datsuns were a dime a dozen.
@@Menstral I was finished with high school before the 80's and the Datsun 510 was already a classic and highly sought after in the 80's
Some people seek out Pintos and Gremlins, who am I to judge if one fancies a Japanese econobox .... more power to you, but in the world I lived in if you had a newer car or a Mustang or a pickup truck it was 50 times 'better' (to girls, more 'prestigious', etc.), and I knew nobody who wanted a Datsun unless maybe it was a 240z.
"Friends don't like to go get friends when they're stuck by the side of the road with no spare wheel" 😂😂😂 14:45
My older brother went to college riding an immaculate orange Yamaha motorcycle in the 1970's.
He always locked it up with a hardened chain.
After school he discovered that someone cut the chain and stole his precious Yamaha.
Mom and Dad bought my brother a new 1972 burnt orange Datsun 510.
He became a BRE enthusiast.
He never rode another motorcycle again.
Jay your passion for the " home garage builder" has always been strong.
Thats what is of your. Generation drum and bugle corps, rock and roll and after school/ work. Building a car out in the garage.
Jay your from NewEngland so you remember Bruce Springsteen croning "Racing In The Streets " on the radio while wrenching in the garage.
Old cars are almost all gone, time for personal space craft modding...its closer than we all know.
But thanks Jay for always bringing to your garage the "car builders from home garage's"
Two 510s now. One of if not my favorite car. I probably would have stuck with the L series myself. Unfortunately, 510s are getting as expensive as 32 Fords and 57 Chevys.
I learned to drive stick on a 510. Light car, and with about 140-150 hp you have a screamer.
I fell in love with the 510 way way back when. Later when I got acquainted with the BMW 2002 I decided it was Datsun's version of that car. They had a lot of power, handled nice, but rusted so easily. The same with the 2002, the suspension mounts in back disappear in rust.
I love how you appreciate all makes and models not just fancy schmancy ones......
Love how jay appreciates everything dude has done
That's a sweet ride! Sounds awesome!
What a lovely machine, the guy just loves that car and its great to see the enthusiasm he has for it.
I had a 1971 model in metallic blue, it was my second car and loved it.
You guys brought so much memories to me.
The heater didn't work in mine.
My first car was a 72 510 4dr with 300k miles puke green original motor my mom bought from my uncle for a dollar in 1984.
What a cool car and owner!!
I'm a boomer that loves the 510. That handsome boxy styling, good handling and reliable power made them successful for BRE and Bob Sharpe Racing (Paul Neuman too). The later ones had independent rear suspension. They were and perhaps are such a cult car. Johnathan, I like it just the way it is. I am not sure I would change much. And that includes the paint. I'm with you. Beige paint wouldn't be the color that would be a first choice, but it looks so good on the car with black accents. Good job on a sweet build.
Yes! They are called Engines, not Motors, tired of people not knowing the difference. Thank you Jay!
@17:46 I was like "Oh crap!! Jay's gonna get a ticket!"
Jay don't get tickets 👻
He is a rolling movie shoot...
One of my favorite cars in the world... Thanks Jay...enjoyed the video
Mine too. I owned a 69 510 when I was a kid but had no money or resources to fix it up. Wish I kept it....
Had a Datsun 200 SX myself in ‘83. What a beautiful driver it was. Full boat options, including a “Tape Voice” option that worked on sensors in the car that told you “ Driver door open”, Fuel level is low”...stuff like that. Had a 2.4/ 4 cylinder, twin spark plug head, DOHC, 12 valve (2 intake, 1 exhaust) 5 speed. Got it to chirp into 2nd! Great car!
Echoing other comments and continue to “toot” JL’s horn - thanks for being such a down to Earth enthusiast and sharing these cars, as well as connecting us with the owners. Love this dude. Dating? No. I want to autocross! 🤣🤣🤣 Priorities!
That 510 is really in good condition
Jay. You gotta stop saying millennials. There's a lot of car culture leading up to millennials. I'm 40 and this car appeals to me.
There were young race fans in the 1970s that are pretty much old men women now. This was a different age, the beginning of Japanese Cars Love Affair. Datsun was the leader in Japanese motorsports in their time of Z cars, GTRs and 510s
Yep, at 70 yrs of age,
I/we can remember various iterations of Datsun, Toyota, Mazda, etc., from mid 60's thru 70's, 80's onward to now.
510's?
Who knew? 😅
My family had Datsun 510 wagons growing up. They are tanks! I got start learning to drive in the last one we owned before joining the Army in 89. As long as you changed the oil and carried a set of points with you they lasted forever.
I learned to drive on a Datsun 510 with a manual 5 speed. Not fast at all but fun to drive.
Thanks for sharing Jay!
They forgot to mention that the 510 was considered the "Poor Man's BMW." Its rear suspension was a copy of the 2002. I had Tokico BMW rear race shocks on my 510.
Jay“It’s an engine, motors are electric” anyone have a story for why bikes are called motorcycles and not enginecycles
Fight the internet you will lose 😆
It's the same reason you drive on a Parkway and park on a Driveway.
It’s difficult to change the minds of those who called them motorcycles back in the 1920s. 😱
Doesn't GM stand for General Motors? AMC, American Motors Corp. Ford Motor Company. Apparently a lot of major car manufactures are confused as well!
we are motorists, not engineists
I'm happy to see regular guys with regular cars on JLG
I absolutely love that car. JDM big time and it’s amazing. I always wanted a 82 Toyota Starlet... but this Datsun may be my new favorite.