1969 Datsun 510 Coupe

1969 Datsun 510 Coupe for sale! Motorcar Classics is thrilled to offer this awesome 1969 Datsun 510 Custom Coupe. With a unique blend of technologies, this car is the creation of Jon Mannila and his team at Metalworks Classics in Eugene, Oregon, who are known for building exceptional stuff; hot rods and restorations alike. Mannila was inspired by the work of Pete Brock, a veteran sports-car racer, who prepped 510s for, among other events, the Mexican 1000, precursor to the legendary Baja 1000.Mannilas 510 reflects Brocks style of sports car, including Brocks hallmark, the red-and-white paint scheme. Mannila followed time-honored hot-rod practice by shaving the unnecessary badges and side lights,along with the sail-panel vents.Under the beautiful skin the chassis is all track. The front rides on a set of T3 coil-over strut housings with adjustable camber plates. The 510 and the 280 it inspired suffer a bump steer, a dynamic caused by a misalignment between the control-arm and tie-rod centerlines. MD Machine spacers minimize the misalignment and restore the roll center upset by lowering the nose. Datsun steering boxes also deflect, a consequence of mounting to basically sheet metal; however, a steering-box brace gives the box a better foundation. Lowering a 510 wreaks havoc with rear-wheel camber and toe. Kelvin Dietz penultimate slotted rear crossmember kits restores the alignment and tunes out a bothersome oversteer issue. The rear of the car rides on a set of Dodge D50 pickup front coils, springs with an uncannily ideal rate once trimmed. KYB Gas-A-Just dampers and Suspension Techniques anti-roll bars further control the wheel motion.The carburetted Datsun L18 stands out as an old-school landmark. Its built by Rebello Racing and even wears one of the companys ported heads. An aggressive mechanical-bucket cam and 45mm Weber DCOE carburetors unlock the L-series engines high-speed potential even if at the cost of low-speed grunt. The engine is mated to a five-speed 280Z transmission. A limited-slip Subaru WRX-STI gear carrier gives both rear tires nearly equal bite, a requirement for respectable lateral acceleration, not to mention the ability to set the car up in a tasty drift. Bearing this punishment are 195/50R15 hides on Rota RB wheels, near carbon copies of the eight-spoke Panasports that defined early 510 racers.The car is fitted with a full cage, but the remainder of the interior reflects the best of hot-rod Americana: cream leather trim; Billet Specialties wheel, handles, and cranks; Hurst shift knob; Dakota Digital gauges in a fabricated dash; and German square-weave carpet. Nothing rolls out of Metalworks Classics shop without the potential to deafen someone. In this case its a Rockford Fosgate system from the marine head unit through P400-1 and -2 amplifiers, a 5 1/4 component set, and a single eight-inch sub in the console. Beautifully detailed, well-sorted, this 510 is a thrill to drive.