Datsun 510 considered pro touring??

[aussiebj]

I am picking up a 71 datsun 510 2 dr, would it be considered a pro touring machine????
of course my plans would not be to leave it alone..i have some interesting ideas on this one but i will wait to see what the masses say.....

[Derek Miller]

I hate to say it but I think it could be a cool project. With the right performance parts, wheels, tires and stance I believe pretty much any car could be a pro touring car. I had no idea what a Datsun 510 was so I did a little search on google and came up with the attached images. Good luck with your project and look forward to seeing what you come up with for a concept.

[qship510]

510's were Pro Touring before Pro Touring existed. Since they were almost new, there have been modified cars roaming the countryside and urbania that could accelerate, corner and stop better than the commercially available products from Detroit, Stuttgart or Tokyo. A relatively mild 510 outcornered the 911's of the day in the early 70's, and several iconic racers spent time in 510's (Paul Newman, Bobby Allison, John Morton).

I have two (cause I know you wanted to know); an early '70 2 door receiving a SR20DET transplant, cage and R Compounds, and a '72 wagon getting the sleeper treatment with a non-turbo SR20DE, factory option mags, and every period option I can acquire. The 2 door will be the fun/track car, and the wagon replaces a Suburban as a secondary kid hauler.

Greatest thing about building a 510 these days is that you have to really want a 510 to build one. Little to no aftermarket support (in the US anyway) means that every 510 is different. I am a "look what I built" kind of guy (read: broke-ish) so just about everything on my cars was literally made in my garage. The reason I lurk Lateral G Forums is because these are the guys who are really innovating in the automotive world. Steilow, Schwartz, and so on CREATE, not copy. I learn stuff all the time that I apply to my cars. Funny thing is, most 510 guys don't get Pro Touring, and most Pro Touring guys don't get 510's. No worries, I never cared for clubs anyway

Love, peace, and axle grease...

[COYBILT]

510's and 1200 waogon's are bad ass little rides and lets not forget the 521 pick up. I consider them pro touring due to the fact they were the road going go kart of choice for most in the day. My buddy has owned 4 of them, with 180hp and a good suspension setup your ready to tear it up. I think they look like mini muscle cars for them most part.

[Fluid Power]

yes...

[coolwelder62]

510's are cool. There is a ton of stuff out there on the net about them.I want a bluebird w/ LS2 & T56 someday.

[ironworks]

I want to do one some day. An LS2 with T56 might be bit over kill. I was thinking Ecotech with 6 speed.

[ccracin]

Originally Posted by ironworks

An LS2 with T56 might be bit over kill.

Please take that back. That phrase should never be uttered on this site. I had more hope for you!

The 510 would be sweet. Please start a build thread.

[ironworks]

Originally Posted by ccracin

Please take that back. That phrase should never be uttered on this site. I had more hope for you!

The 510 would be sweet. Please start a build thread.

Sorry I was just thinking an LS engine with 400 hp would just be a sit and spin in a little ass car like that. With all that weight on the nose. It would be super loose any way. But 400 hp four cylinder that is half the weigh of a V8 would be pretty well balanced.

Believe me I have thought about this idea a few times. Turbo EcoTech hooked to a 6 speed transaxle with custom IRS would be slick. Believe me I support Overkill, Shoot I endorse it.

[tones2SS]

Those cars are awesome. Love the 510's!!!