Autoblog

Petrolicious drinks in the glory of two Datsun Roadsters in wine country

George Kennedy — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Convertible, Performance, Videos

The latest Petrolicious video, entitled "Napa Valley Roadsters," features high-def footage of Japanese metal rolling though beautiful California hill country. Specifically, the classic two-liter Datsun Roadster.

Like many of the Petrolicious videos that proceeded it, this is a celebration of the personal connection that one has with an automobile. What's more, it's always heartwarming to see how a mutual interest can bring two complete strangers together, who are now close friends. And finally, who doesn't enjoy watching classic machinery mosey through beautiful scenery?

Check it out for yourself in the video below.

Continue reading Petrolicious drinks in the glory of two Datsun Roadsters in wine country

Petrolicious drinks in the glory of two Datsun Roadsters in wine country originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Dec 2012 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Watch Indycar driver Alex Lloyd drive the legendary Datsun BRE 510

Zach Bowman — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:19:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Racing

If you have even a passing interest in vintage Japanese cars, this machine needs no introduction. The number 46 BRE Datsun 510 is perhaps the poster child for racing underdogs. When it first hit the SCCA Trans Am scene in the early '70s, it lined up against several storied marques. It took lots of wrench time and plenty of determination, but the BRE team pushed to two national championship wins against rival Alfa Romeo in 1971 and 1972. Race cars have evolved at about the same clip as telephones in the last 30 years, but there's still something special about watching this machine tackle a race course.

Road & Track recently turned to Indycar driver Alex Lloyd to get his interpretation of what makes this particular car so important. The sound quality in the video below could certainly use some love, but we'll never turn down the excuse to burn 12 minutes of our work day watching this machine eat up some tarmac in Memphis. Check out the video for yourself below.

Continue reading Watch Indycar driver Alex Lloyd drive the legendary Datsun BRE 510

Watch Indycar driver Alex Lloyd drive the legendary Datsun BRE 510 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Depth of Speed gets cozy with a Datsun 510 Wagon

Zach Bowman — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Budget, Truck, Wagon, Videos, Toyota

The Datsun 510 will always hold a special place in enthusiast's hearts. The anonymous little coupes and sedans quickly established themselves as willing performers on the nation's race tracks in the early '70s. But while the goons at BRE were busy embarrassing other manufacturers in the Trans Am Challenge, scads of 510 Wagons contented themselves with family hauler duty. These days, the unloved wagons are easily outpaced by their two- and four-door compatriots at car shows, but the guys at Depth of Speed managed to find one very well-executed long roof 510 to hang out with for an afternoon.

Unlike most tin top examples, this particular model came with a port-installed vinyl roof. The owner saw the ratted vinyl as an excuse to install a Volkswagen-style canvas sunroof and went to town. Years of tinkering later, the wagon now rides on a lowered stance with some sharp wheels. The machine isn't perfect by any stretch - the paint doesn't exactly match and there are dents and dings - but this one gets driven on its original engine. And that's good enough for us.

Oh, there's also a bonus Toyota Hilux, too. Check it out below.

Continue reading Depth of Speed gets cozy with a Datsun 510 Wagon

Depth of Speed gets cozy with a Datsun 510 Wagon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Jun 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nissan Juke takes to the dirt against the Eyesore Racing Datsun 510

Zach Bowman — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Etc., Videos, Crossover, Hatchback, Nissan, Racing

Forty years, countless miles, a corporate name change and untold heaps of abuse separate Dave Coleman's 1971 Eyesore Racing Datsun 510 from the 2011 Nissan Juke. But that didn't stop the guys from Inside Line from pitting the two distant cousins against each other in a gravel there-and-back race over a little more than a mile. The beater 510 has plenty of rally class wins under its belt and has been prepared to tackle the worst a stage can throw at it. There's a full cage on board as well as plenty of skid plates, and everything else has been gutted in the name of weight savings.

The Juke, meanwhile, is a bonafide street-legal commuter. Where the 510 has race harnesses, the Juke has airbags, but it also has the benefit of all-wheel drive on its side. How did the two fair on the impromptu rally course? We won't ruin the surprise for you, but we will say that the show down was closer than we would have thought. Hit the jump to check out the clip for yourself.

Continue reading Nissan Juke takes to the dirt against the Eyesore Racing Datsun 510

Nissan Juke takes to the dirt against the Eyesore Racing Datsun 510 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

JDM Legends explains love of cars from the Land of the Rising Sun

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Japan, Videos

JDM Legends talks classic Japanese iron - Click above to watch video after the jump

JDM Legends may be based in the outskirts of Salt Lake City, Utah, but the company's heart clearly belongs to Japan. The garage, run by shop manager Eric Bizek, is a slice of classic Japanese heaven in the middle of America. Skylines, Celicas and 510s are parked in various states of restoration with the ultimate goal of finding new homes.

Despite being happy to match classic iron to new owner, Bizek is also (and understandably) sad to see his projects leave. His love affair with these machines comes across clearly in Josh Clason's newest short film. Clason is the same person responsible for the last short on JDM Legends, and we're quickly becoming fans of both his work and the work of JDM Legends.

Click past the jump for a well-shot reason to save your money for an old Skyline.

Continue reading JDM Legends explains love of cars from the Land of the Rising Sun

JDM Legends explains love of cars from the Land of the Rising Sun originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jul 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S.

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:01:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Japan, Videos

JDM Legends brings vintage Japan to the U.S. - Click above to watch video after the jump

Trey Cobb, the founder of Cobb Tuning, has a love for vintage Japanese automobiles. In 2009, Cobb and fellow Japanese car junkie Eric Bizek decided to build a company around that love affair and JDM Legends was born. Based in Utah, JDM Legends imports, restores, services and sells classic Japanese cars.

The team has already brought a 1973 Toyota Celica, 1970 Datsun 510 and a handful of early Nissan Skyline models back to life. More cars are planned for the future and two of the Skylines are currently being offered for sale.

JDM Legends had someone stop by with a video camera and capture the cars currently in the garage. Though the film is a bit slow, the cars look particularly stunning in high-definition. Hop the jump to watch the clip.

[Source: JDM Legends via Vimeo]

Continue reading Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S.

Video: JDM Legends gives vintage Japanese iron new life in U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Jan 2011 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NASCAR robots, Datsun Bumblebee spied during filming of Transformers 3

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 09:22:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Celebrities

Transformers 3 is filming in Chicago right now, luring all camera-toting film buffs to the Windy City's streets like moths to a bug zapper. In addition to snagging the three NASCAR Transformers and Optimus Prime's trailer, there's the matter of a 1972 Datsun 510 painted much like Bumblebee and dangling a "BEE-OTCH" air freshener from its rear view mirror.

We have no idea what that's about, but as long as it doesn't involve Wheelie or Skids we should be all right with it. Well, maybe not - this looks like it's shaping up to be as big a mess as Revenge of the Fallen. Maybe he'll at least take the form of a Nissan GT-R later, as with his Chevrolet Camaro 'upgrade' in the first movie. Click the links below to check out the rest of the shots.

[Sources: Ain't It Cool, TFW2005]

NASCAR robots, Datsun Bumblebee spied during filming of Transformers 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 Jul 2010 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nissan working on BRE 370Z to mark car's 40th anniversary

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:19:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Nissan

BRE Nismo Z getting painted for the Walter Mitty Challenge - Click above for high-res image gallery

It looks like there will be more than one car showing up the Walter Mitty Challenge at Road Atlanta next month wearing the colors of Pete Brock's BRE racing team. Just days after Mazda announced that it had prepared a BRE-liveried MX-5 for the Playboy MX-5 Cup, Nissan has announced that it is working on a Nismo 370Z with a similar color scheme.

The Nissan is, of course, a descendant of the Datsun 240Z John Morton drove to BRE's first SCCA National Championship in 1970. While the Miata got a very literal interpretation of the original BRE paint job, Brock has apparently worked with painters at Nissan to produce a modern iteration. The Z will be revealed at a special dinner at Road Atlanta on April 29 to kick off the big weekend of vintage racing.

The car has been built to SCCA T2 specs, and plans call for it to do some racing at Z Club events and SCCA regionals this summer.

Gallery: 40th Anniversary BRE Nissan 370Z

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading Nissan working on BRE 370Z to mark car's 40th anniversary

Nissan working on BRE 370Z to mark car's 40th anniversary originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Video: Out-of-hand drifting in Forza 3

Chris Shunk — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Videos

Click above to watch the video after the jump

We never cease to be amazed at just how good some folks are at video games. While we're as good at the button-mashing shuffle as the next guy, sometimes our brains and hands just won't cooperate. Drifting is a prime example. We know we need to rev the engine to get the tires to spin, but our finger sometimes run us into brick walls when our mind has us running the line. We know we're not alone here, but the post-jump Forza 3 drifting video is proof positive that some guys are just spiritually in tune with their XBOX 360 controller.

The proud owner of this virtual drift video chose a Datsun 510 as the super drifting car extraordinaire, and it's obvious that this guy or girl plays entirely too much Forza 3. Solid drifts quickly turn to masterful pirouetting and backwards drifts, sliding to within inches of virtual guard rails. Pretty amazing stuff. Hit the jump to watch for yourself.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Out-of-hand drifting in Forza 3

Video: Out-of-hand drifting in Forza 3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Japan

First generation Mazda Miata - Click above to see entire list of future Japanese Collector Cars

"Everybody wants to go to the dance, no one wants to stay and clean up." So says Robert De Niro's Sam in John Frankenheimer's spy thriller/car porno Ronin. We mention the line, because it's not only well written, but nicely sums up most people's attitudes towards classic, collector cars. Yes, we'd all love a Boss 302 Mustang or a Maserati Bora, but no one wants to pay the tens of thousands of dollars it takes to procure and maintain them. But what if in the future collector cars weren't limited to American muscle or exotic Europeans? What if relatively cheap and reliable Japanese cars came to be collectors items?

Regardless of the answer, that's the exact future that Tim Suddard, publisher of both Grassroots Motorsports and Classic Motorsports, is predicting. In fact, here's what he has to say about it:

Right now Japanese cars are generally overlooked by the collector car world, but we expect that to change. A generation that grew up on Hondas, Datsuns and Mazdas is coming of age where they're after the icons of their youth. Where previous enthusiasts paid big money for the Mopars, Chevelles and GTOs that they couldn't afford when teens, we expect the same happen soon with milestone Japanese cars.

Which, if what Suddard is saying is true, means that both demand and price should increase. Which is probably... bad. Click here to see the ten cars (with captions) that Suddard claims are going to be future classics, plus our own two cents on each selection. And of course, what do you think? Also - like what you see? If you're in the Southern California area, don't miss the 2009 Japanese Classics car show this weekend

Gallery: Tim Suddard's ten most collectable Japanese cars

Grassroots Motorsports' Tim Suddard picks ten future Japanese collector cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO]

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Performance, Auctions, Nissan, Specialty

1972 Datsun 510 with VQ35DE power - Click above for image gallery

This eBay listing has been dubbed "the perfect swap" by some of our bloggers. From the outside, it looks like any other lovable Datsun 510 with some funky wheels. Pop the hood, however, and the reason for our lust becomes obvious. Shoehorned into the slot previously occupied by the L-Series lump is a red-hot VQ35DE. Yep, the very same sweet-revving engine you'll find in a 350Z or G35. In fact, we'd love to pick this thing up and do a comparo with a Infiniti G37. Better yet, whoever buys it, get in touch with us and we'll give you the details on how to drop it off with one of our trained staff. We promise we'll treat it well.

The seller says this is the only known VQ35 510 swap in the U.S. and that it was a labor of love. Love - and $25,000, that is. The owner claims he could have built his hybrid a lot cheaper, but he overbuilt it just in case he "caught the boost bug." He reckons it'll handle up to 500 horsepower, although it's currently generating pretty close to the stock 287. Don't let that fool you though. The list of mods on this thing is almost as long as HR 3200. We've pasted them in after the jump along with a video clip of this little beast in action. Click through for the full rundown and don't forget to check out the gallery as well.

Gallery: Datsun 510 VQ35DE swap

[Source: eBay Motors]

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO]

eBay Find of the Day: VQ35DE-powered Datsun 510 may be the perfect swap [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: Nissan's Fiesty Mr. K calls out the 370Z

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Japan

Recently one of our bloggers raised the hackles of many a commenter by announcing to the world that he preferred driving a Nissan Versa to the new 370Z. You can hear the whole exchange on Autoblog Podcast #140. To protect this poor blogger's identity, he shall remain nameless (we'll call him Jonny X for short. No, too obvious. Let's go with X Lieberman). Point is, obviously this person is out of his mind because who on earth prefers driving a economy car like the Versa to a Z? Turns out Nissan's Mr. K.

Yutaka Katayama, known to American Datsun/Nissan fans simply as Mr. K, will be remembered for two very important cars: the 240Z and the 510, both of which are now considered classics. Mr. K turned one hundred years old on September 15, but age hasn't tempered his mind. In fact it seems sharper than ever. Talking about the new 370Z, Mr. K calls it, "So-so." He continues, "Very different from the 240Z. First, it's very heavy, and it's also very expensive."

And not only does Mr. K feel the car new Z is too expensive, but that it's not actually living up to the Japanese sports car legacy laid down by the 240Z, "I'd like to have a sports car like the Miata. The Miata is taking the place of the 240Z." Harsh. But check this out, "Katayama has a 350Z in his garage but prefers to drive the family's Versa compact." And there you have it.

Mr. K would like to see the Datsun nameplate come back, and with sportier cars. "The fun of driving cars is the same as riding a horse. We need a car that is like riding on horseback. We are making robots. Robots don't like human control." Even at the ripe old age of one hundred, Mr. K just might be around to see his wish come true, "I just entered the 100s. I have a long way to go."

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req. | Image: MTZC]

REPORT: Nissan's Fiesty Mr. K calls out the 370Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Forza Motorsport 3 celebrates past and present of JDM in new screenshots

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Japan, Toys/Games

Forza Motorsport 3 Screenshot - click above image for high-res gallery

More and more folks are slowly but surely coming to the realization that old school Japanese metal is pretty cool. Stylish, too. For instance, have you ever noticed how much a Toyota Celica Supra looks like a Lamborghini Jarama? Or that a first generation Miata is a dead ringer for Lotus Elan? Before you start screaming about the Japanese being styling thieves, let's remember two things.

As Woody Allen has said, "Be original, don't steal. But if you do, steal from the best." The other is that if you counted up all the running Jaramas and Elans on the world, you'd have a very, very small number. So if not for the Japanese, these shapes would be lost. Then, of course, you have cars like the Datsun 510, a design that looks even sharper now than it did forty years ago -- especially the sedan. And then there's the 240Z, a true icon.

In recognition of this, the brains behind Forza Motorsport 3 are including a bunch of vintage JDM rides in their upcoming XBox racing game that's on schedule to be released this October. Including some racers like the 1997 Nissan Motorsports R390, a homologated Le Mans car, meaning two street examples exist, and they can hit 60 mph in 3.3. seconds, run the quarter in 11 seconds flat and top out at 220 mph. While we think 99% of the cars Forza's including are brillinat, we don't quite get the Scion xD. Thanks for the tip, Brandon!

Gallery: Forza 3 Japanese Screen Shots

[Source: Forza Motorsport]

Forza Motorsport 3 celebrates past and present of JDM in new screenshots originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

RR of the Day: 1972 Datsun 510 2-Door

Alex Nunez — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Nissan, RR of the Day

Sometimes we look at the Flickr pool and our choice for RR of the day is blatantly obvious. This is one of those times. Flickr user "ZQPM1056" acquired this '72 Datsun 510 2-door four years ago and it's been a project car for him ever since. Sporting its original butterscotch brown paint, it channels Peter Brock with an aggressive, vintage BRE air dam, and features nifty bits like headlights from an E30 BMW M3. We'll assume that nighttime visibility is better now than at any other time in the car's 34-year lifespan.

Sixteen-inch Falken-shod Enkeis hide Wilwood brakes, and the car rides on a custom suspension featuring custom swaybars. The 510 also sports a limited-slip differential and is outfitted with very supportive Sparco racing seats inside, the need for which becomes obvious when you lift the hood. Nestled in the Datsun's engine bay is an immaculate Nissan SR20DET whose T28 turbo pushes 17 lbs. of boost. When you factor in the other mods, which include an AEM engine management system, new injectors, and aftermarket valve springs, and much more, according to the owner, you wind up with a vintage Datsun dishing out roughly 300 rear-wheel horsepower. That sounds like a lot of fun to us.

With his trusted dog Chino riding 'gun, ZQ rolls with the personal sense of satisfaction derived from knowing that he's done all the work himself since acquiring the car. A nice, clean and stock 510 would have likely gotten the call to be RR of the Day, but this car, with its fantastic turbo mill and tasteful appearance updatesPM1056, is a complete no-brainer.

Terriffic car, ZQ -- it is today's Reader Ride of the Day. Congratulations.

Follow the jump for more pics and instructions on how to submit your ride for RRotD consideration.

Continue reading RR of the Day: 1972 Datsun 510 2-Door

RR of the Day: 1972 Datsun 510 2-Door originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Dec 2006 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments