Datsun 510 History

The Datsun 510 arrived in the US in October 1967 for the 1968 model year as the third-generation Bluebird, wearing Nissan's internal model code as its US name. Its engineering was inspired by contemporary European sedans, particularly the 1966 BMW 1600-2 — it offered an overhead-cam engine, a fully independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms, and MacPherson struts up front at a price far below its rivals.

The 510 proved a big commercial success: over 300,000 were sold in the US across its production run through 1973, and in 1971 the 510 accounted for more than 40 percent of all Nissan US sales. Peter Brock's Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) 510 took back-to-back SCCA Trans-Am C-Sedan championships in 1971 and 1972 driven by John Morton, cementing its motorsport legend.

Available as a two-door sedan, four-door sedan, two-door coupe, and five-door station wagon, the 510 became one of the most culturally significant Japanese imports of the era and remains a prized collector car and tuner platform.