Found a '71 one owner...

[DonnieDatsun]

So here I am. My wife and I had been set on a 510 as our dream car for the long term and we found it. 16,120 original miles, all factory, garaged, came with the original tires in the trunk, original sales reciept and title, every license plate it ever wore. A living piece of history and much more than I thought I'd find east of the Mississippi.

Anyway, it runs great, only two issues I have are that the temp gauge sits at C and the speedometer flops around -- though the odometer works. Typical little quirks for a car that sat around for the better part of the last 45 years. I'm not sure where I'll take it from here, definitely not straight to project hell. I'll drive it with the current engine as long as it runs. I read the buying a Datsun guide and some other stuff, but anyone got immediate advice for me that I might have missed? High octane fuel?

I have a 79 280zx I spent $2100 on that's not quite as shapely. Can I get $2100 in usable parts for the 510 out of it (brakes, struts, etc) or should i sell it and buy those separate?

This looks like the top 510 forum on the web, so I'm happy to be here.

[RMS]

all I can say is

and can we get more pics of this stunning survivor

[DonnieDatsun]

'Aye, definitely planning to get more pics after I do a little detailing and I'm happy to share them here.

[qwik510]

Congrats. Sweet find. Can't wait to see more

[two_68_510s]

WOW what a car! That is a serious gem! Your approach is impeccable as well, congrats!

[RONSLYCHUK]

I think that it may be your speedometer cable needs replacing. As far as the temp gauge, it could be corrosion on the back contact points.

[66DUCE]

Beautiful car find... so many different ways you could approach this one hmmm.
As far as the speedo cable as already mentioned cable is dry and needs attention sometimes the speedo cable itself can be removed from the speedo head at the back of the dash and you can remove the cable part from the casing and clean/lubricate instead of replacement. Not sure if it is possible with these or not? Someone with more 510 knowledge could chime in here?

[James]

That is a beautiful car. My favorite (and many others on here as well) color. Well Bought for sure.
Try greasing the innards of the speedo cable. If you pull the cluster out - you can clean up the contacts on the back of the gauge - that may solve your temp problem. It does have water in it (no water - no read on gauge…). You would have figured that out quickly enough as the L series don't like to get hot…..

[funwithmonkeys]

Nice score! You may want to check the connection to the sensor in the lower thermostat housing also. Mine went out and the wire had just come off. You should also think about new hoses under the hood. If they are all 45+ years old ad mine were they will burst someday soon as mine did shortly after I got my car.

[McShagger510]

Gorgeous stock car!!!!! Love the low options too. GREAT FIND!

Oh, and welcome to the site....

James

[DonnieDatsun]

Thanks for the suggestions! I ended up replacing the thermostat (it was stuck open) and the temp sending unit and the gauge works fine now. Also replaced the upper radiator hose while I was at it. As for the speedo, I was going to try squirting some grease down the cable from the dash before replacing the whole thing.

Here are some additional pics, as promised -- though more will follow, I still have yet to do any detailing or general cleaning up around the edges (or inside)

[tr6racer21]

WOW, thats a great score. I'm partial to the color as well. Congrats

[defdes]

Is that an East Coast find? Well done, looks better that the one on BAT right now http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1971-datsun-510-2/ .
The bouncing speedo could just be the end of the cable is rounding over. If you unscrew it from the back of the cluster and it is
(rounded) just trim off 1/4" from the end, clean the bur off and you should be good to go (maybe lube it to while it is off).

[DonnieDatsun]

It might be close, though that one looks potentially a tad better at the extremes since it didn't spend its life in a damp climate. Then again, this one hasn't been painted or detailed at all like that one was. Still the original radiator on this end, as well.

Thanks for the speedo suggestion, I'll give that a look.

[Byron510]

Very cool find, it's in great shape. Certainly worth the investment in ti's current condition. And you car is a manual - big plus over the BAT car. yes I know these are easy to exchange - done many myself. But it's not so easy any more to find all of the stock pieces to do it.

And I too have voted this my favorite 510 original colour.

Awesome, glad to have you aboard the 510Realm.

Byron