BAT: 23K Miles w/ Original Paint: 1972 Datsun 510

[Mike]

This 1972 Datsun 510 (chassis PL510407401) is said to have just 29k and change miles from new, 22,000 or so of which were already accumulated by 1980. Paint remains almost all original, and the interior sounds as if it might be similarly well preserved. The car looks great throughout, and is said to run and drive just as well. Find it here on eBay in Kelowna, BC, Canada with reserve not met.

Described as a two-owner example (not including the seller), the car is said to have added just 7k miles from 1980 to 2010, and only 300 more in the past six years. Paint is said to be all original apart from a small area (beltline up) on the driver’s door, and there’s a dent where a deer collided with the same side’s front fender. The seller believes it will pop out via PDR (and offers to have this work done prior to sale on request), and overall the car looks remarkably good for a 43 year old economy model.

The interior presents similarly well, despite a long, split seam on the passenger’s front seat. This might be repairable, and everything else (including the headliner, door panels etc.) shows essentially no discernible wear. Note the excellent dash, OEM radio, and factory A/C. The latter is inop due to a missing compressor, but should be worth fixing.

Says the seller: “The car has just gone through a full service. It runs and drives like a new 510. Starts on the turn of the key, very tight, no rattles or strange noises, very zippy, tracks and brakes straight with no wandering. Everything you would expect from a low mile car.” The bay certainly looks good, with minimal accumulated road grime in accordance with low mileage claims.

Decals and data plates show very well too, and the trunk presents just as nicely. Recent work is said to have included a full tuneup, fitment of a new exhaust, and a replacement carb.

View it on bringatrailer.com