Topic: The more things change...Datsun vs. BMW

[chris]

Ok, so the mind is wandering here and the article in CD on the Datsun 510 made my mind wander even farther than usual 

I just find it interesting that in 1968 Datsun came out with a great little 90hp rwd 4spd "three box" car with independent suspension at all corners that closely reflected the BMW 1600/1800/2002 line of vehicles as the performance and specs were fairly similar.  I've seen 510's done up VERY nicely that rival well done 2002's so there is definitely some sort of link or copying going on.

Fast forward 30+ years and we have the G35 vs. the 325/330/335.
Funny... the cars now cost considerably more than they used to but they're still battlin' it out... and it's REALLY good for us consumers 

well... back to work...

Chris.

[initial_D]

You wurK? 

Who is on first determines what is on second ...  BMW set the bench mark in performance coupes/sedans ... everyone else is copying and try to catch a bit of its success ... the 1600 was introduced in 1964? Datsun was one full model cycle behind ... and still is. 

You is right, Chris ... the more stays the same .... err... behind! 

[Arthur Dent]

To be fair the BMW 1600 was a lame until they dropped the larger motor in to make the 2002. Personally I think the Rover 2200TC may have been the first of the segment. The later 3500 was even better. Myself I'd rather like a Triumph Dolomite Sprint with its 16 valve engine.

http://www.austin-rover.co.uk/index.htm?p6storyf.htm

[Trainman]

I had a '69 510 (4 door  ) with twin SU's and a Datsun rally cam.  Put 100,000 miles on it in 5 years.  Very quick and very good on the bumpy roads.  Was a blast to drive on the logging roads on Vancouver Island.

Chased a 911 through the Highlands one day, fun watching the sparks coming off the Porsche due to the poor pavement   

What is this "CD" article you speak of?

[Arthur Dent]

The original Datsun 510, 1968-1973

[Snowman]

The first vehicle I drove was an MT4 Datsun 620.  So many memories

[dorin]

What is this "CD" article you speak of?

I'd guess CD is Car and Driver.

[PJungnitsch]

 A '72 Datsun 510 was my first car. Pretty much worn out when I got it, the old fellow I bought it from for 400 bucks had been parking by feel for some time.

Did the bodywork, blacked out the chrome, painted it, put in better seats and stereo, took it to college. With studded tires it got around pretty good in the winter, not a bad student car at all.

[Arthur Dent]

I never owned a 510 but my parents had a '78 510 wagon when I was growing up.

I do have some early 510 parts in my garage - diff, brakes, cv axles, points, etc. (I bought a parts lot and sold most on eBay). My Seven will have a 510 rearview mirror!

[haris]

Europe also had Simca 1000 which followed the same formula.
I love cars like 2002, 510, Simca 1000...
I guess because I was a little kid when they were new, so it's one of those childhood  things.

[ovr50]

I had a total of 3 2002s - a 1970, 1972, and a 1975 one. The best one was the 1972, in Colorado color (a yellow/orange). The 1975 was starting to fall into that emissions plagued time in the mid-70s were all makers were struggling to make their vehicles run properly yet still meet the new emissions laws. I went from the 1975 2002 to a 1976 530i  and that was the last I had of that series. In 1977, BMW replaced the 2002 with the 320i.

[initial_D]

... ... and in 1983, BMW introduced the E30 318i as MY1984 for the replacement of the 320i. 

[tpl]

I knew people with Datsum 510s in Montreal in '75.  Great cars but they rusted even faster than Fiats.

[PJungnitsch]

I knew people with Datsum 510s in Montreal in '75.  Great cars but they rusted even faster than Fiats.

Exactly. Things like no fender liners didn't help, the wheels threw salt all up and around and the cars rusted from the inside out. Pressure wash out the salt, spray oil all around inside, make and install fender liners out of canvas, problem solved.

Stopping rust in today's cars is easy by comparison.

AFAIR Fiats of that era were made out of recycled steel that had rust all through the material, when they were new. Nothing much could be done.

[chris]

Oops, sorry, Canadian Driver as arthurdent posted.  Motoring memories or something.

I really like the old three box design of the 2002, 510 and even my old volvo 144.  I suppose though, that I'd trade a 510 for a new G35 coupe

[Trainman]

Oops, sorry, Canadian Driver as arthurdent posted.  Motoring memories or something.

Thanks!   

for those that missed it, here is the link: http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/bv/68-72_510.htm

[Cord]

One of my first cars was a '72 510 2-door. I remember being so excited when I bought it because it had the factory tach! I also blacked out the chrome, painted it with spray cans, put about 10 million candlepower of lighting on the front and had a blast.

[safristi]

a 510 REAR VIEW Mirror....watch out fer hippies gaining on ya in a MicroBus.......   and the shaggy ART STUDENT in the RED truck in Snowballs...........

[Mitlov]

Datsun was one full model cycle behind ... and still is. 

Not if you compare equally-priced models.  Car & Driver's conclusion after testing the 2007 G35?  "If you don't need BMW cachet, this ride has everything else."  The new 328i sedan (slightly more expensive than the Infiniti, similarly-equipped) has slightly more sophisticated suspension but falls short on most other fronts, especially power.  And the 335i sedan costs about 30% more than the Infiniti.  It had BETTER deliver more.

[Snowman]

Datsun was one full model cycle behind ... and still is. 

Not if you compare equally-priced models.  Car & Driver's conclusion after testing the 2007 G35?  "If you don't need BMW cachet, this ride has everything else."  The new 328i sedan (slightly more expensive than the Infiniti, similarly-equipped) has slightly more sophisticated suspension but falls short on most other fronts, especially power.  And the 335i sedan costs about 30% more than the Infiniti.  It had BETTER deliver more.

And the 335i sedan costs about 30% more than the Infiniti.  It had BETTER deliver more. a fiver for the troll