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Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 21 Oct 2013 18:59
by RWD_NissanMan
So I'm now wandering around the streets of Guadalajara looking for 510's. Looked at a few today and getting some ideas on how I might be able to get "Grasshopper 2" roaming around in the sunny south. Latin America never got our beloved 510 with the L16 and IRS. Instead, they got a variant that looks like a 510 but it is actually a "Bluebird" with a pushrod engine (A15?) at 67HP and a solid rear axle and leaf springs. They only got the 4 door sedan and wagon variants, no 2 doors. You can buy a relatively decent one here for around $50,000 MX (about $4,500) or a junker for less - and some of them are VERY rough. So far I have not found a way to "legally" import one into Mexico from either the US or Canada - but working on it.

There is actually a Datsun Club in Guadalajara and I have met one of the members so far. As my Spanish improves, it will get easier to meet new people and get down to the business of educating the kid's about 510s!!!

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 21 Oct 2013 19:07
by bertvorgon
That's cool, good to hear from you, keep us posted with pictures.

take care!

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 21 Oct 2013 20:36
by Byron510
Geez Bob, it's good to know you are still alive. It's been some time.

I have a brother and a sister in-law who live in the Cancun area. While visiting them I have seen three very nice 510's - after my third visit I found out all three belong to the same guy. Buy at any rate, one of them was an IRS car, so I assume it's an American car with an L series engine and it had Mexican plates - so there must be a way.

Are you permanently in Mexico now? There are soem very active motorsport clubs all over the country, but I admit you'll need to speak the language before it will be come enjoyable - I'm not there either.

Great to hear from you, and please update us some more on all things Datsun in Mexico.

Byron

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 22 Oct 2013 05:43
by RWD_NissanMan
Yes, I am here permanently now. Really enjoying the weather and the relaxed lifestyle. There are a lot of retirees from BC and Ontario here and in the Puerto Vallarta area (about 5 hrs. west of here on the coast) but sadly, most of them are old farts and not auto enthusiasts.

The Guadalajara Datsun Club does not appear to be very active but there seems to be a fairly active group in the Guanajuato area (Cities of Leon/Silao/Guanajuato/Irapuato) which is about a 4 hr. drive east of here. This is also the area where the annual WRC Rally is held. One of my sons and I took in the event last March - truly an amazing event!!

Just found out about a reasonably priced decent 1970 Bluebird over there so may take a day trip to look at it. There are also a lot of 160J's around as well as the older pickup trucks are quite common. Nissan, Ford and Volkswagen are the dominant players here with a strong manufacturing presence.

There are some Mexican plated US cars here however one has to be very careful about the titles on them if considering purchasing one. A term used often to identify these cars are "chocolates". They are cars that were driven in on temporary visas or illegally (some even stolen cars) and are quite common in rural areas. A few years ago, the Federal Government tried to get it under control and had an "amnesty" program to try and legalize them. It was marginally successful but has still not stemmed the flow of illegal cars here. They then tightened up the importation laws so now you can only import and legalize a NAFTA built car/truck and it can be no newer than a 2008. The auto dealers associations have a strong lobby here to try and control it so as a result, used cars are more expensive here than NOB (North Of the Border) equivalent cars. I just bought a legal (original Mexican Invoice) 2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer with the 4.6 ltr. V8 3V 4x2 and it was around $12K all in. It only has around 90,000 km. on it and no rust so hopefully it will last me for the rest of my days.

Only about 55% of Mexican drivers actually have proper "driver's licenses" and around only 40% have valid auto insurance. This is a HUGE problem. If you are involved in an accident with any of these clowns you are likely going to go to jail until somebody pays the other off for damages. If the other party has no money, your basically screwed unless you have a good insurance policy.

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 22 Oct 2013 06:09
by RWD_NissanMan
Here is a pic taken from the deck of the casa (house) I am currently renting. Nice to wake up to every morning - truly paradise in the flesh. The Lake Chapala area of Mexico is near the top of the list as having the best weather of anywhere in the world. We have over 300 days of sunshine a year and very moderate temperatures because of the altitude (5,200') and the mountain ranges all around the lake. It is also only 35 km. from a major airport (Guadalajara International - GDL) so is very accessible. Come on down for a visit!!!

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 22 Oct 2013 08:12
by two_68_510s
Man, that is a huge lake! Or is it laguna..

Beautiful spot.

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 22 Oct 2013 08:23
by RWD_NissanMan
Lake Chapala is Mexico's largest natural lake. It is around 100km. long and about 35km. wide and sits at a bit over 5,000 ft. above seal level. It is used as a reservoir from which the city of Guadalajara (approx. 6 million people) gets it's water supply. In this picture, the lake is at only about 40% of capacity. The island you see is called "Isla Mezcala". It is of significant importance to the Mexican people since it is the only area of the country that the Spanish invaders were unable to conquer. The ruins of an old fort are there along with a particularly gruesome prison dating back to the 1800's. Today it is a tourist attraction and is slowly being restored.

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 22 Oct 2013 08:58
by jason
Now that is life, sunny, lazy days with lots to explore! You are one lucky man!

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 24 Oct 2013 19:56
by Robb
Mexico ? I wouldnt give a cent of my money to that violent drug infested country.
They can all go to hell !

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 24 Oct 2013 21:21
by Byron510
Robb wrote:Mexico ? I wouldnt give a cent of my money to that violent drug infested country.
They can all go to hell !
Well Robb, I disagree. If you speak this harshly, you must have good reason.
With a brother in law and a sister in law both living in the Yucatan, and extended family in the state of Tabasco, I would have to say it is a very nice country with more history than we Canadians could fathom. I'm not saying Mexico is not without its problems, with rampant corruption and all of the issues that go with it. The drug types make up a very small part of the population, no more so than the bike gangs and grower do here. I might say the same for the Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian and Hells Angels gangs shooting the hell out of one another here in metro Vancouver. But on the other hand, the real people of Mexico never forgot how to live life, something we could learn from. This isn't the right place for this discussion, but honestly there's a heck of a lot more to the picture than what we see in the news.

Byron

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 25 Oct 2013 03:35
by RWD_NissanMan
Very well said Byron. This is not the place for this discussion but you are right on with your take on the situation. With a population of about 3 times that of Canada, there are undoubtedly some very bad dudes here, as everywhere. As a foreigner in this country, I am constantly learning more about the people, customs and wonderful places that this beautiful country has to offer. I have travelled extensively throughout every corner of Canada and the US in my lifetime and am just getting to know Mexico a little better. It is a bountiful place with a growing youthful population, extensive natural resources, fantastic weather and many problems. The key to unlocking the potential of this country, just like with many other emerging countries, lies with educating the youth in order to reduce the gap between the fabulously wealthy and the extremely poor. I feel that I am extremely fortunate to have been able to move and live here in my retirement years and looking forward to this new adventure.

Now back to finding some more Datsuns!!

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 25 Oct 2013 07:09
by Dave Patten
RWD_NissanMan,
How about a little education on Mexican Bluebirds. Maybe some pictures while you are on your search.

I believe the engine is a J15. If so it should have a cast iron head. The A series engines used an aluminum head.

I keep seeing tail light lenses for sale on eBay from Mexico. They are with the back-up light center of the lens like the GL JDM lights. Are these typical for Mexican Bluebirds?

What about side markers, what did they use if anything? Plate lights? Grills?

As to importing a car into the US I believe the process is not that involved as these cars are considered antiques or collector cars. It may be more difficult entering thru CA with the emission restrictions they put in place long before the rest of the country. I'd bet a boarder crossing to import a car in any other state than CA would be less stressful.

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 25 Oct 2013 07:26
by okayfine
Importing a Mexican 510 into California shouldn't be an issue. It should fall under the 25-year federal exemption, just like my car. Not to say paperwork isn't going to be involved, but there are no emissions issues to deal with. And, in fact, because the car falls into the 25-year FMVSS exemption, you could swap it with anything and no one could say "boo" to you.

Maybe we don't see Mexican 510s in the states due to the J15 and live axle.

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 25 Oct 2013 07:46
by RWD_NissanMan
In my case, I am not interested in importing a vehicle from Mexico into the US. I am trying to find a way to import my existing car into Mexico. There MAY be a provision with Mexican Customs (Aduana) to import it as a classic car with a duty exemption so I need to look into that further. I have found out that there is a special procedure for getting race cars in for up to a year through one of the sanctioning bodies but this is only a temporary solution.

Re: Datsun Bluebirds in Mexico

Posted: 03 Nov 2013 16:21
by RWD_NissanMan
So I went along with my new Mexican friend (Miguel) today to take a look at another Bluebird just listed for sale in Guadalajara. Here are some pics of the version they got in Latin America. It has the 1500cc J15 motor, drum brakes all around and solid rear axle/leaf springs. The taillights are slightly different and they have the small rear front markers but no rear markers. Also, the license plate illumination is mounted on the rear bumper. This particular example is a 1969.