BAT: BaT Auction: 1972 Datsun 510 4-Speed at No Reserve

[Mike]

This 1972 Datsun 510 is a stock US-market four-door with two prior owners and 29k indicated miles on its 1600cc inline-four and 4-speed manual transmission. The original owner added the majority of the mileage in its first decade, reportedly towing it behind an RV and driving it only 7k miles between 1980 and 2010. Its second steward was a collector who brought it from Idaho to Canada and logged just 300 additional miles over the following six years before its purchase by the selling dealer. The car was the subject of this BaT feature in October and is described as mechanically solid after carburetor replacement and tune-up along with a new exhaust and fresh brakes. It has since passed a government inspection, and the sale includes a clean British Columbia registration.

Pale green paint (code 546) is believed original except for above the beltline on the driver’s door, which was repainted with a slight color mismatch due to a past keying incident. The largely factory finish retains a nice overall shine thanks to decades of indoor storage, though collection of chips on lower rockers has exposed bare metal according to the seller. All four steel wheels wear clean, matching stock covers and older all-season whitewall radials.

A small dent in the left front corner is joined by a larger version further back on the fender caused by a 2010 deer strike, which also resulted in the strip of missing paint just above. Panels are otherwise straight, character lines are clear, doors align well, and no evidence of further accident damage or repair is present according to the seller.

Corrosion appears limited to small spots of discoloration where paint has chipped from the lower rockers and been sandblasted from the front valance. Exterior sheet metal shows no indications of deeper rust according to the seller, and nothing meaningful is visible on door bottoms, lower fenders, or other common problem areas. A cutout for an RV electrical plug was added below the front bumper for use as a motorhome “toad.”

Chrome bumpers look straight and exhibit a deep shine with few apparent dings or marks, with other brightwork presenting equally well. All glass is described as free of scratches or pits, though some rubber weather seals are showing their age. Headlights, taillights, and side markers are all clear and look devoid of cracks or condensation.

A brief exterior walkaround video is provided above. Factory trim and badging are complete and presentable throughout, including a correct silver-painted sideview mirror.

The presentable black vinyl interior shows the effects of low mileage and indoor storage, exhibiting little wear apart from occasional looseness, a tear at the driver’s outer backrest hinge, and a separated seam on the passenger seat cushion. The headliner fits well and looks free of any damage. Original loop carpeting has held up well with slight discoloration around the transmission tunnel and a small worn spot at the passenger door sill.

The padded “safety” dash is free of distortion and shows a single small crack on one corner according to the seller. Other plastics are described as similarly crisp and intact, and bright trim looks almost entirely devoid of fading or peeling. Factory instrumentation includes clear faces, bright lettering, and a five-digit odometer indicating 29k miles.

Many controls appear almost unused, including the stock wheel, shift knob, HVAC levers, and knobs on the factory AM radio. The car was originally equipped with dealer-installed air conditioning and still retains much of the system, though the compressor is currently missing. All other lights, controls, and accessories are said to work as they should.

Underhood, the 1600cc L16 inline-four and 4-speed manual transmission are said to be original and stock. A recent service included a new carburetor, tune-up, and replacement of the exhaust system. Most original seals show some weeping, but not enough to wind up on the garage floor according to the seller.

Retaining original chassis tags and decals, the engine bay displays minimal grime and reportedly superficial corrosion looks isolated to the battery tray and behind the hood hinges as shown in the gallery. Service decals from 1974 and 1979 remain affixed to the door jambs.

Said to start quickly and run as it should, the car exhibits brisk acceleration and straight tracking in the video above, along with effective stopping thanks to recently refreshed front disc and rear drum brakes. Fully independent suspension reportedly provides tight handling and a rattle-free ride befitting the low mileage.

The car was registered in British Columbia after recently passing a government inspection, but as a US-market car previously titled in Idaho should theoretically present few issues for re-importation to the United States. The seller is happy to assist with shipping over the US border or to an overseas destination as necessary.

View it on bringatrailer.com