510 Europe?

[Nerius]

Hi all,

I know there are quite some European people on this forum and I would really like to get to know them a bit (and hopefully meet in person). Also considering parts exchange. Maybe we should open our own section?

[BEO 510]

If the moderators and administrators will allow, it could be a good idea to have a section for exchanging information that concerning European Datsun's.
I have previously read here about some of the differences between the markeds around the globe, but it is a little bit here and there. The 510 is my game, but i learned some about the other models because of the parts that could be used from them. No two door 510's to Europe through Nissan as far as i know. I know about three or four private importet two door's to Norway. But we got the real 510 SSS four door, with the 219 head and round top SU. L510 = with L-13 engine. NL510 = L-14 and PL510 like other markeds with L-16. At the end of 1971 (from August i think) we got brake booster's on the 510 and a "proportion" valve for the rear brakes. In the 510 parts catalog it was a section for Sweden, France and West Germany brakes. What the differences was i don't remember, but the 1972 510 in Sweden had self adjusting rear brakes like the 610 i think. The Nissan warehouse for Europe was in the Netherlands i was told 35 years ago, perhaps it still is. But buying parts at Nissan dealers i gave up 20 years ago, NLA was the main mantra. But i more or less have a lifetime supply for my 510's. There was something about the 510 (maybe others too) in Portugal, was it made or put together there? I think there is a lot of hidden interesting Datsun info in Europe.

[datzenmike]

North American 510/610/7109s were all manual adjust.

The '82 720 truck as far as I'm aware is the first self adjusting drum brake.

[BEO 510]

Self adjusting drum brakes was an optional for Europe models. If it came on models before 1972 i don't know, but 610 and 710 had it. No smog devices, the 69 L-13 had the went tube down along the block to went the crank case. pcv valve came after that. Single point distributors and the 1300 and 1400 cars got 4:11 diff's.

[datzenmike]

PCV in N America was mandated in '62 and all have a crank case vent to it. No we didn't get self adjusting brakes on any Datsun till into the '80s and by then most rears were disc brake anyway. Those that had dual points were about a 6 degree later opening which retarded the timing under certain conditions which was to reduce emissions. Mid to late '60s saw intake vacuum advance ended and a ported vacuum source from the carburetor base used. This removed advance at idle, again for lower emissions, and added it above idle like usual. Early evaporative emissions from the fuel tank were stored in the crank case when engine stopped. This was drawn out by the PCV system when engine started. Later Datsuns stored fuel fumes in a charcoal canister when engine off.

[KiKiIchiBan]

Hi

[BEO 510]

Hi. In Scandinavia many 510 SSS and standard 510's got used up in low budget grassroots motorsport in the eighties and nineties. Many also got rallyed, some in rallycross but road racing i have not heard of many. It looks like rally was the dominant sport the 510 was used in in Europe, and perhaps mostly in Scandinavia. Anyone with info about road racing 510's in Europe in the seventies and eighties?

[BEO 510]

Nerius, perhaps i am a little off from what you was thinking? But not much European response here either. Europe is relative small when it comes to travel, it don't take long to cross it. But it is big enough to makes it a little challenging for just meetings i guess.From where you are, a couple of hours in a plane and you have reach almost any outer point of Europe. kikilchiBan mention in his build thread that he use to go to watch races, was it all over Europe? That could be interesting to hear more about. Parts exchange is an interesting topic. What is avalible these days. What is Mr. Nerius thinking?

[Nerius]

Hi BEO,

Yes, there are several events which for me are interesting to visit, like classic car meets at the border of Germany, or the Datsun meet at SPA Franchorchamps every July (I think). And it would be nice to meet more people from abroad with a 510 as the group here in NL is very small.
Parts exchange would mostly be the game I think, I've bought several stuff from Portugal already (you were right, they assembled 510's over there and you can find a lot over there) but wasn't aware that Finland and Scandinavia still had some 510s running!

[MK510]

Here in Finland still have 510's left, over 8000 cars sold here 1968-1972, 1300,1400,1600,1600SSS 4door sedans and 1600 wagon/vans.
Maybe 100-200 still exists.

[BEO 510]

5835 in total was sold in Norway, and of those 77 was sss, 1188 wagons (L-16) , 1083 (L-16), 1492 (L-14), 1995 (L-13). It was said some years ago that about 80 cars still had license plates. Not more than a very few without plates can be left in barns etc. Source: DATSUN/PMC-REGISTER (in Norway).
There are many (many relatively speaking) nice 510's and other Datsun's still rolling in Scandinavia. Some organized meetings are also held.
It was rumors that Sweden only got the 510 as 72 model, and unknown how many. Anyone with sales numbers for the rest of Europe?
If my memory is correct, Finland and Norway started importing Datsun's in 1960. Who was first i don't remember/know.
There is/was some members here from Portugal i remember, but i have forgot about the 510 info from Portugal they provided.
A really nice rally 510 in Greece was covered in DQ one year i remember, wonder if it still is in business.
Datsun meet at SPA! That sounds interesting, do they drive the track?

[BEO 510]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh5T92yARps
At least one 510 have the pleasure at SPA. Looks like it could be an import from the States?

[Nerius]

Wow, I didn't know the sale numbers where so high in Scandinavia.

And very cool that you found footage of a 510 doing spa. Maybe in a couple of years I can try the track as well.

[Nerius]

Datsun meet at SPA! That sounds interesting, do they drive the track?

The next one is in May!
https://fb.me/e/79f39Cuja

[KiKiIchiBan]

Around the time of my wife's birthday, maybe I'll offer her a 'spa trip' as a present