Old School

Almost everyday on my drive from or to home, I’d look for it. In the garage down the street a few blocks down, the original baby blue, original hub capped, original owner, Datsun 510 Bluebird. This particular one harkens back from 1969, only a couple years younger than me! I laugh when the kids nowadays call my ’85 Corolla old school, now THIS is true Nippon old school. I had always toyed with the idea of stopping by and talking to the old guy about it and if he’d thought of selling it, but I know he’s been pestered by other people already. He does take it to the 76 station right around the corner for servicing, and I’ve talked to the head man there about it. I take my vehicles for safety check there. I’d noticed it has been at the station for the past weeks, longer than usual. And then this past Saturday when I saw it out front with for sale signs on it, I had to pull a quick U-ey to make sure. Oh man, he’s finally parting with it!

This is  a cool car. It was often called the poor man’s BMW, comparing it to the BMW 2002. A similar size, shape and also having independant rear suspension, something you didn’t see on many cars of that vintage. Heck, my racer boy 1985 Corolla doesn’t have that. The 510 was actually quite successful in the autosport arena, and still is. Just a few years back there was a race prepped Datsun 510 at the SCCA auto-crosses that posted blazing times.

So now I’m in a quandry. I’d always look at this car when I drove by, thinking it’d be cool to have. And now the chance has come up. On close inspection, it is in rough shape. It’s got rust that its famous for along the base. The front floorpans are toast, the passenger side is mostly air. But there is no evidence of accidents. The head mech states that it runs well, he’s been working on it since ’85. He had to pull the head and replace valve this past time, the wonderful corn juice ethanol “enriched” gas had gummed up the works and caused a sticking valve. He cleaned out the tank and replaced lines and reported the tank was in good shape. What do I do? I know this chance will never come again. But this is a pretty serious project car. It’s not dirt cheap, but it’s not that expensive either.