Nissan Bluebird 510 SSS Coupe

Nissan Bluebird 510 SSS Coupe

The Nissan Bluebird 510, marketed internationally as the Datsun 510, is one of the most significant Japanese automobiles ever produced. When it debuted in 1967, it shattered the notion that Japanese cars were merely cheap, disposable transportation. The 510 offered sophisticated engineering at an affordable price point, and in SSS Coupe form, it delivered a driving experience that embarrassed European sports sedans costing two or three times as much.

The SSS designation stood for 'Super Sports Sedan,' and the Coupe variant applied this philosophy to an elegant two-door body. The heart of the SSS Coupe was the L16 engine, a 1.6-liter overhead-cam inline-four that traced its lineage to the engine in the original Datsun Fairlady roadster. With twin SU carburetors, the L16 produced approximately 109 horsepower — a modest figure by modern standards but remarkable for a 1.6-liter engine of the late 1960s. More importantly, it revved with an enthusiasm that was distinctly un-American, pulling cleanly to 7,000 RPM and beyond with a characteristically raspy exhaust note.

What truly set the 510 apart from its contemporaries was the suspension. While most compact cars of the era — and many much more expensive sports cars — used live rear axles with leaf springs, the 510 featured fully independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms and coil springs. This was a BMW-influenced design (Nissan's engineers openly studied the BMW 1600-2), and it gave the 510 handling characteristics that were simply unavailable in its price class. Combined with rack-and-pinion steering, front disc brakes, and a lightweight unibody construction, the 510 was a revelation on twisty roads.

The SSS Coupe's racing career cemented its legend. In the United States, privateer racers discovered that the 510 was an extraordinarily effective competition car. Peter Brock's BRE (Brock Racing Enterprises) team campaigned a factory-supported 510 in the SCCA Trans-Am 2.5 Championship, winning consecutive titles in 1971 and 1972. John Morton drove the iconic red, white, and blue BRE 510 to victories against Alfa Romeo GTVs, BMW 2002s, and Porsche 914s — cars from marques with far greater racing pedigrees. These victories were instrumental in establishing Japanese cars as legitimate performance machines in the eyes of American enthusiasts.

The SSS Coupe body was sleeker and more rakish than the four-door sedan, with a fastback roofline that gave it a more sporting presence. Japanese-market SSS models received the twin-carbureted L16 engine, close-ratio gearbox, and stiffer suspension, creating a factory hot rod that was ready for spirited driving straight off the showroom floor. US-market 510 coupes were typically equipped with the single-carburetor L16 in a milder state of tune, though the aftermarket quickly addressed this.

Today, the Datsun 510 enjoys a passionate following that rivals any vintage Japanese car. The combination of lightweight construction, independent suspension, a tuneable engine, and elegant styling makes it one of the most sought-after Japanese classics. Prices have risen dramatically over the past decade as collectors and enthusiasts recognize the 510's historical significance. Unmodified SSS Coupes in good condition are increasingly rare, as many were modified for racing or simply rusted away. The Japanese-market SSS variants with twin carburetors are particularly prized.

The 510's legacy extends far beyond its production years. It proved that Japan could build a driver's car to rival Europe's best, it launched Nissan's motorsport credibility in the United States, and it established a template — lightweight, rear-drive, independent suspension — that would influence Japanese sports cars for decades to come.