You've probably seen them. Those boxy, unapologetically sharp lines cutting through a sea of bubbly modern crossovers. The Datsun 510 is a vibe. It's the "poor man's BMW 2002," or at least it used to be before the market went absolutely haywire. If you are currently hunting for a 510 Datsun for sale, you’re stepping into a minefield of nostalgia, bondo, and skyrocketing price tags.
It’s a weird time to buy one. Ten years ago, you could snag a runner for three grand and a handshake. Now? You might see a shell—literally just a rusty frame on jackstands—listed for five digits. It’s wild. But the charm remains. That independent rear suspension and the L-series engine that just won't quit make it a driver's car in the purest sense.
Why Everyone is Hunting for a 510 Datsun for Sale Right Now
The 510 isn't just a car; it's a giant-killer. Back in the early '70s, Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) took these little economy boxes and started embarrassing European luxury brands on the track. Peter Brock and John Morton turned the 510 into a legend. That Trans-Am 2.5 Championship history is exactly why every middle-aged guy with a garage and a dream is scouring Craigslist and Bring a Trailer.
But let’s be real for a second. Most of these cars were treated like disposable commuters for decades. They rusted. They were crashed. They were "modified" by teenagers in the 80s with questionable taste and even worse welding skills. Finding a clean 510 Datsun for sale today requires more than just money; it requires a detective's badge and a very strong magnet to check for body filler.
The market has split into three distinct camps. You have the "Survivor" cars—completely stock, probably owned by a grandmother in Pasadena, and now worth more than a new Honda Civic. Then there are the "Restomod" builds. These usually have a Nissan SR20DET or a KA24DE swapped in. They’re fast, scary, and expensive. Finally, you have the "Projects." These are the ones that keep you up at night. They are usually missing the trim pieces that are nearly impossible to find, and the floors look like Swiss cheese.
The Rust Problem: What the Pictures Don't Show
When you're looking at a listing online, the photos are always flattering. Sunlight hides a lot of sins. If you find a 510 Datsun for sale, the first thing you need to ask for isn't the mileage—it's photos of the rocker panels and the trunk floor.
Datsuns of this era didn't have the best rustproofing. Actually, they basically had none. Water gets trapped in the cowl area, right below the windshield, and eats through the metal from the inside out. If you see bubbling there, walk away. Or, prepare to spend five figures at a metal shop. The rear wheel arches and the floor pans are also notorious. I’ve seen cars that looked mint from ten feet away, but when you put them on a lift, you could see the asphalt through the driver's side floor.
Honestly, the "Datsun tax" is real. Sellers know these cars are iconic. They will try to tell you that "surface rust" is no big deal. In 510-speak, "surface rust" often means "I hope you know how to use a plasma cutter."
The Engine Mystery: L16 vs. The World
The original 1.6-liter L16 engine is a workhorse. It’s basically a Mercedes-design derivative that Nissan licensed and tweaked. It's not fast by modern standards. You’re looking at maybe 96 horsepower on a good day with a tailwind. But it sounds mechanical and raw.
A lot of people looking for a 510 Datsun for sale specifically want the L-series. Why? Because it’s period-correct. You can build them out to 1.8 or 2.0 liters, throw some dual Weber 40s on there, and it will scream. There is something incredibly satisfying about the "glug-glug" sound of side-draft carbs at idle.
On the flip side, the "Nissan-into-Nissan" swaps are incredibly common. If you find a 510 with an SR20 swap, you're getting 200+ horsepower in a car that weighs about 2,000 pounds. That is a terrifying power-to-weight ratio. It turns a cute vintage sedan into a legitimate tire-shredder. Just make sure the previous owner actually upgraded the brakes. Stock 510 drums in the rear are not meant to stop a turbocharged drift engine.
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Where to Actually Look (Beyond the Usual Suspects)
If you only look on Bring a Trailer (BaT), you’re going to pay the "curated auction" premium. It’s great for peace of mind, but bad for your wallet. For a better deal on a 510 Datsun for sale, you have to go deeper.
The Datsun community is tight-knit. Sites like Ratsun.net or the 510 Realm are old-school forums, but that’s where the real enthusiasts hang out. Often, the best cars never hit the public market; they’re sold between forum members. Facebook Groups are also a goldmine, though you have to sift through a lot of "No lowballers, I know what I have" posts.
- The Pacific Northwest: This is 510 heaven. Oregon and Washington have a massive Datsun culture. The cars might have some moss on them, but they tend to be less "crusty" than East Coast cars because they don't salt the roads as aggressively.
- California: The Mecca. Most 510s you see for sale originated here. Expect high prices but drier metal.
- Japan (JDM Imports): You can technically import a Nissan Bluebird (the 510’s Japanese name). It’ll be right-hand drive, which is a cool party trick, but it adds a layer of complexity to registration and parts.
Common Pitfalls for First-Time Buyers
You've found "the one." It’s a 1971 two-door sedan. The paint is a bit faded, but it looks honest. Before you drop the cash, you need to check the VIN.
People swap parts on these cars like Lego bricks. It’s common to see a 1973 front end on a 1969 body. For some, this doesn't matter. But if you’re looking for investment value, "franken-cars" are a headache. Check the dash. 1968 and 1969 models have the "flat dash," while later models have the recessed gauges. A lot of people prefer the early style, which drives the price up.
Also, check the trim. Missing chrome bits, headlight buckets, or the "Datsun" script emblems are surprisingly expensive to replace. There isn't a massive reproduction market like there is for the Chevy Camaro or Ford Mustang. You’ll be scouring eBay for six months just to find a decent grill.
The Two-Door vs. Four-Door Debate
There is a weird hierarchy in the 510 world. The two-door sedan is the king. It’s what BRE raced, and it’s what most collectors want. Consequently, a two-door 510 Datsun for sale will always command a 30-50% premium over a four-door.
But here’s a secret: the four-door is basically the same car. It has the same wheelbase. It handles just as well. If you’re building a "driver" rather than a show car, the four-door is a massive bargain. Plus, it’s way easier to get your friends in the back. Then there’s the wagon. The 510 wagon is cool, but it has a leaf-spring rear suspension instead of the independent rear found in the sedans. It’s a different beast entirely—great for cruising, not as great for carving canyons.
Realistic Pricing in 2026
Let’s talk numbers. Don't shoot the messenger.
A total basket case—a car that needs floors, an engine rebuild, and an interior—is going to run you $5,000 to $8,000. It sounds insane for a project, but that's where we are. A decent, "twenty-footer" (looks good from 20 feet away) that runs and drives will likely set you back $15,000 to $22,000.
If you want a show-quality, BRE-tribute or a high-end SR20 swap, you're looking at $35,000 to $50,000. I’ve even seen pristine, low-mileage survivors touch the $60k mark. It’s a niche market, but the people in it are passionate.
Navigating the Sale
When you finally go to look at a 510 Datsun for sale, bring a flashlight. Poke the frame rails. Check the spare tire well for standing water. Ask the owner about the electrical system. These cars use old-school glass fuses, and the wiring harnesses are often brittle. If the turn signals work, it's a miracle. If they don't, it might be a weekend of tracing wires.
Don't be afraid to negotiate, but be respectful. These owners usually have an emotional attachment to these cars. They’ve probably spent hundreds of hours in the garage skinning their knuckles. If you show up and start trashing the car to lower the price, they’ll probably just tell you to leave.
Actionable Steps for Your Search
If you're serious about putting a 510 in your driveway, stop just "browsing" and start prepping.
- Join the Groups: Join "510 Classifieds" on Facebook and set up Google Alerts for "Datsun 510" in your region. The good deals vanish in hours.
- Verify the Title: Many of these cars have been sitting in barns for 20 years. Ensure the VIN on the firewall matches the paperwork. A "bill of sale only" deal can be a nightmare to register in many states.
- Inspect the "Cowl": Take a gallon of water and pour it down the vents in front of the windshield. If water starts dripping onto the floorboards inside the car, the cowl is rotted out. That is a major repair.
- Budget for the "Hidden" Costs: Whatever you pay for the car, keep an extra $3,000 in the bank. You’ll need it for tires, bushings, and the inevitable "while I'm in there" repairs.
- Check for "Bondo": Bring a small, weak magnet wrapped in a soft cloth. Run it along the lower quarters and the doors. If it doesn't stick, you're looking at plastic filler instead of metal.
Buying a 510 is an exercise in patience. It's about finding that perfect balance between a car that’s too far gone and one that’s too expensive to actually drive. But once you’re behind the wheel, hitting a rev-matched downshift into a tight corner, the headache of the search completely disappears. It’s pure, mechanical bliss.