Article Series
- A Breakdown of the 1967 Datsun 2000 model Roadster1323
- How to lower a Nissan/Datsun pickup truck1562
- SkidMarks - My First Time in a Datsun 6101635
- 1973 Datsun 240z - NICOclub Ride of the Month October 20081767
- 1967.5 Datsun 1600 Roadster - AZhitman - NICOclub Ride of the Month September 20081771
- 1985 Datsun 720 Pickup - PEZi720 - NICOclub Ride of the Month for September 20091772
- Datsun Roadster Brake Upgrade - Volvo Calipers5181
- 1968 Datsun 510 added to the collection5204
- A Dime Makes Nine - Part II5213
- A Dime Makes Nine - Part III5215
- Classic Datsun Motorsports - Like Disneyland for Datsun Enthusiasts (part 1)5325
- Classic Datsun Motorsports - Like Disneyland for Datsun Enthusiasts (part 2)5329
- Classic Datsun Motorsports - Like Disneyland for Datsun Enthusiasts (part 3)5336
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration - Part 15999
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 2)6038
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 3)6057
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 4)6085
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 5)6103
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 6)6126
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 7)6147
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 8)6157
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 9)6168
- 1967 Datsun WRL411 Rescue and Restoration (Part 10)6183
- 1972 Datsun 240Z RB25DET swap and restoration series9757
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 29876
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 39920
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 410153
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 510169
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 610199
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 710218
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 810227
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 910254
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 1010302
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 1110340
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 1210389
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 1310442
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 1410569
- Datsun 240Z restoration and modification - Part 1410585
- Back in Time: 1980 Nissan/Datsun 200SX IMSA Turbo GTU10630
- Back in Time: 1980 Nissan/Datsun 200SX IMSA Turbo GTU Part 210657
- Back in Time: 1980 Nissan/Datsun 200SX IMSA Turbo GTU Part 310699
- Back in Time: 1980 Nissan/Datsun 200SX IMSA Turbo GTU Part 410718
- Back in Time: 1980 Nissan/Datsun 200SX IMSA Turbo GTU Part 510747
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Meet "Betty"13424
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Front Suspension13440
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Rear Suspension13546
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Differential and Rear Brakes13681
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Wiring with a universal harness13877
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Engine install, door hinges and bumpers!13909
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Weatherstrip and window squeegies13943
- Driving Aunt Mayme - Another Datsun 411 Wagon Story14257
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Part 8 - Seats and Wiring14317
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Part 9 - Lighting14339
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Part 10 - Radiator and cooling system14371
- Datsun Roadster Wiring Diagrams - DatsunForum.com14654
- Datsun / Nissan Sentra Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forum14671
- Datsun / Nissan Maxima Wiring Diagrams - 1982 Maxima14674
- Datsun 200SX Wiring Diagrams - 1977 to 198214678
- Datsun 1200 Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forum14691
- Datsun 210 / B210 / B310 Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forums14695
- Datsun 240Z / 260Z / 280Z / 280ZX Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forum14701
- Datsun 310 / Pulsar Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forum14705
- Datsun Pickup Wiring Diagrams for 320 / 520 / 521 / 620 / 72014710
- Datsun 410 / 411 Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forums14713
- Datsun 510 Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forum14717
- Datsun 610 Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forums14721
- Datsun 710 Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forum14725
- Datsun 810 Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forums14729
- Datsun F10 Wiring Diagrams - Datsun Forums14733
- Datsun Advertising - Magazine and Newspaper Ads15090
- Datsun 240Z / 260Z / 280Z Electric Power Steering Install and Review15762
- Datsun Z Advertising - 240Z / 260Z / 280Z / 280ZX15792
- Datsun Competition Parts Catalog 1978 - NICOclub16447
- Datsun Emissions and Warranty Information Documents - NICOclub16534
- Datsun Advertising - 510 and Bluebird - NICOclub16580
- Datsun Advertising - Pickup Trucks - NICOclub16583
- Datsun Advertising - Roadster and Fairlady Sports - NICOclub16587
- Ultimate Road Trip: Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 51016891
- Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 510 - Part 216960
- Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 510 - Part 317065
- Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 510 - Part 5 - NICOclub17295
- Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 510 - Part 617326
- Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 510 - Part 7 - NICOclub17353
- Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 510 Part 8 - NICOclub17453
- Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 510 - Part 9 - NICOclub17480
- Coast-to-Coast in a Datsun 510 - Finale18074
- Datsun Advertising - 310 / 312 and 410 / 41119016
- Remembering Arthur Hughes and his Datsun 510 - datsunforum19045
- Restoring a 1968 Datsun 510 Sedan - Part 17 - NICOclub19126
- Remembering a true Datsun professional - Chuck Jezulin20102
- Datsun Magazine and Print Advertising20404
- Gift Ideas for the Nissan / Infiniti / Datsun Owner!25202
DAY 3
After work, Greg and Jason headed out to CA to pick up the car. Greg had called the manager of the station that morning and he assured him that the car was fine and he wasn’t gonna have it towed. Later that evening, she was finally home with her new family, safe and sound, at NICO headquarters.
Here’s her status: She’s a fairly rare Datsun, considering there weren’t many 68’s. She’s easily got the straightest body on any 510 we’ve ever seen… probably straighter and better aligned than she was when she was built. Her perfect body is coated in PPG Satin Black (not primer), and she’s wearing another piece of automotive history:
Carroll Shelby produced an 8-spoke alloy wheel for Saab in the mid 1980s. They were available in gold (Goldvane), hammered silver (Silvervane) finish, and a black hammered finish. These wheels were available only through Saab dealers and could be fitted to Saab 99 and Saab 900 models manufactured through 1987. They are a sought after accessory for Saab enthusiasts today. Somehow, somewhere along the way, she wound up wearing a set. Get this: They’re a 4 x 114.52 mm bolt pattern, or 0.22mm (or 8 one-thousandths of an inch) off from the Datsun fitment, so they fit fine.
Her interior is nicely restored… not completely original, but close – She’ll get some minor refreshing, some reassembly, and the interior will be complete.
Her wiring harness is beyond repair. It looks like someone unwrapped it, threw it in a blender, and tossed it back under the hood and dash – How it got that bad is beyond comprehension, but it gives us a chance to do two things: To learn all about rewiring a Datsun (something Greg and I have always avoided), AND to show you guys how it’s done!
And, of course, the tired L16 won’t be sticking around – The L20b that’s being built will have a little “extra” done to it, and it’ll be a nice healthy powerplant to zip around the Valley… The engine bay will get refurbished before that sexy motor shows up, so it’ll be “good-bye” to all of this:
Greg and I have decided that she will be the last addition to our family for a long time. We have a year’s worth of projects in the garage to keep us busy. We want to get all of them running and restored so we can drive them to the car shows and share them with everyone. Hopefully we can organize a meet out here soon so everyone can come see the collection.
For the record, here’s the fleet (by year):
1- 1963 NL320
2- 1967 WRL411
3- 1967.5 Roadster
4- 1968 510
5- 1972 240Z
6- 1993 240sx
7- 2003 G35
8- 2005 Nissan Frontier
9- 2009 Cube
Hope you enjoyed the story, and I hope you guys will all consider taking a crack at rescuing and restoring an old Datsun – Their value can only go up, and they’re getting harder and harder to come by. Good luck, and thanks for coming along for the ride!
By the way, if you want to follow along with the restoration of this 1968 Datsun 510, here’s the article series!
– Bex
Becky (nissangirl74) is the Business Manager for NICOclub and an avid Datsun fanatic.