Are A10's anything cool?

[Wannabewatanabe]

Hi I'm new to these. I had some cash and bought a 79 datsun 510 2 door sedan with an l20b. Just wondering if it's a decent project/street car. If so what are the first things I should do. I know it needs work. I'm finding good parts all over the net for it. I love the way it drives and looks beat up just as it is. Reminds me allot of an ae86 I once had. Just waaaay better running condition. Seems quite reliable thus far. I can already imagine how it would look with a nice paint job, a decent set of wheels/tires, and clean tinted windows. The Car has not a single dent or a spot of rust. Just a badly worn shifter, and an engine that visually seems to have a bad mount coz it kinda bounces a bit more than one would think it should. Don't know the mileage but it's drives well and starts right up. Looking for constructive pointers, criticism, and advice.

[datzenmike]

I love the round eye A10! The 2 door hatchback even had a dogleg 5 speed option.

Your shifter is identical to the original PL510 and is aptly called 'monkey motion' when the rubber bushings are worn. My old 521 had the same transmission and in any gear the shifter could be swung in a circle the size of a basketball.

Engine may be shaking from one or more cylinders low on compression. I would set the valve lash and timing and check the ignition cap, wires and plugs first.

[Byron510]

Let's see a photo of the car. As Mike mentioned above, he ;likes the hatch version. I like the sedan version myself, but would agree that the round headlight my preferred style. But to be honest the quad square lights are not bad, and set the car apart from the 70's Datsun stuff.

A10 datsun_510 Early.jpg (171.77 KiB) Viewed 2686 times

A10 datsun_510 Late 2.jpg (184.57 KiB) Viewed 2686 times

A10 datsun_510 Late.jpg (29.38 KiB) Viewed 2686 times

A long time 510 club member from Chetwynd has a car with this identical factory paint scheme, but I think it was an early version with round headlights.

A10 datsun_510 Late 3.jpg (24.94 KiB) Viewed 2686 times

Let's see a photo of you car.

Byron

[Byron510]

However the A10 also had a formidable rally history, the winning-est Datsun on the world stage of any Datsun/Nissan product ever produced. The PL510 likely enjoyed a longer club level rally history, especially in Australia and North America, but we have had members here on the 510Realm restore 510's to their former rally glory in Portugal and Finland as well.

Here are some A10 Rally shots;

A10 datsun_510 Rally.jpg (30.01 KiB) Viewed 2685 times

A10 datsun_510 Rally 2.jpg (7.37 KiB) Viewed 2685 times

A10 datsun_510 Rally 3.jpg (18.44 KiB) Viewed 2685 times

A10 datsun_510 Rally 4.jpg (81.44 KiB) Viewed 2685 times

A10 datsun_510 Rally 5.jpg (27.45 KiB) Viewed 2685 times

Byron

[datzenmike]

The hatchback was not necessarily my favorite it was the model that had a 5 speed option and also looks closest to the original KP510 coupe. I definitely like the 2 over the 4 door though unless it's a goon.

[Byron510]

The hatchback was not necessarily my favorite it was the model that had a 5 speed option and also looks closest to the original KP510 coupe. I definitely like the 2 over the 4 door though unless it's a goon.

You know Mike, you bring up a point. I like the sedans with the early round lights, but I think the wagons looked better with the square lights. Just a personal thing.

But I do recall, from the way back machine, that someone did install that quad headlight and grill from end on a PL510 2 dr - I know some of you old timers will remember this from Rex Jannets days at UFO. Wonder what happens to crazy projects like that, they just disappear I guess. Ok, I'm rambling...I'll go take my medication now

Byron

[Wannabewatanabe]

I'm loving these replies guys. thank you so much for the info.
Right now I'm dealing with electric issues. lol
it runs great. when theres electrical power to the car lol
its acting like the battery is not being charged by the alternator as im driving, then dies. I've had it for a week and it was running great.
aaand losing clutch fluid quick as hell. ill keep posting gents. thanks for the replies and pics. awesome

[Wannabewatanabe]

It has the round eyes and it looks beautiful just needs a paint job after i get the work done to it.