1972 Datsun 510

This 1972 Datsun 510 is a rally car with a high-compression L20B 2.0L four, close-ratio 5-speed, and extensive competition-focused modifications. First built as a street/track vehicle by a father-son team in Ohio, the car was featured on BaT in 2010 before going briefly to a Florida collector and soon afterward to the seller, a former SCCA World Challenge driver. It was immediately handed over to 510 race specialist Troy Ermish for rally conversion and quick prep for the 2010 La Carrera Panamericana, after which more improvements and testing were carried out. Further competition included running the La Carrera in 2011, where it took four stage wins and fourth in its class, and again in 2012 when it won First in Class with seven stage wins. A First in Class was also taken in the 2011 Chihuahua Express along with a class win, three stage wins, and fourth overall there in 2012. The car has not been raced for the past five years and is now offered with a clean California title. Body modifications include BRE-style fiberglass fenders and flares, a Spook front spoiler with brake cooling ducts, hood and roof vents, hold-down pins, and Lexan rear/side windows. Lighting is from HID headlights. Eight Panasport racing wheels will be supplied along with four Panasport road wheels plus a trunk-mounted spare. Chips, sand blasting, touch ups, and other rally-induced scars are shown up close in the photos below. Despite a number of close calls in competition, the only body damage was reportedly sustained from backing into a parked car at an event hotel. The picture above is from the 2011 Panamericana. The full welded roll cage is FIA legal per the seller, and it includes bracing at the door openings, dash, and rear compartment. Kirkey racing seats are fitted with out-of-date Crow harnesses, and the large-capacity AFFF fire bottle was sourced in 2012. Instrumentation and switchgear are a mix of factory and competition parts, and a large shift light, Terra intercom, and trip computer with speed sensor have been added. The 5-digit odometer shows just under 90k miles, though true chassis mileage is unknown. Power is from a high-compression L20B 2.0L four that was built by Rebello Racing with a ported cylinder head as well as an upgraded camshaft and pistons. It reportedly pulls to a 7,200 rpm redline and received further refreshment in 2012 according to the seller. Induction is from dual 44mm Mikuni/Solex carburetors with a carbon fiber airbox and cold air intake. An oxygen sensor and air/fuel meter have been fitted for jetting adjustments. Exhaust is via a Jet-Hot coated Nismo header and Tolle Fab 2.5″ piping through a Magnaflow stainless muffler. A Nismo 6-quart baffled oil pan feeds a remote high-capacity filter mounted behind the passenger headlight opening. The alternator is from an ND Honda Civic, and the trunk-mounted Odyssey battery supplies a heat wrapped Troy Ermish gear-reduction starter. Cooling is via a Ron Davis aluminum radiator and electric fan. A 20-gallon ATL fuel cell was sourced new in 2010 and feeds the carburetors through AN fittings and a pressure gauge in the engine bay. An aluminum flywheel and heavy-duty clutch link the engine to a close-ratio 5-speed sourced from a Datsun 720 pickup in Cholula, Mexico. Power is directed to the rear wheels through a 4.11:1 R160 limited-slip differential with a finned Perrin cover and a CV joint axle kit. An included aluminum skid plate was removed for underside photos, which show some surface rust and evidence of prior floor repairs. Suspension is from Koni B-Sedan struts mounted to Ground control camber plates up front, as well as adjustable rear coilovers from TER. A steering box brace and monoball tie rods were fitted along with a 1” diameter front sway bar. Stopping power is from ducted Wilwood four-piston calipers in front and two-piston units in the rear, all working with a cabin-mounted brake bias adjuster. The car has current California registration and is street legal, though the seller stresses that it is a race car and should be approached as such. Service records are unavailable, and the seller will facilitate the sale through his dealership. A drive by video can be seen below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjEbWbkIxww&feature=youtu.be