Over the previous couple of weeks, we’ve taken a more in-depth have a look at what Ultrace 2023 needed to supply, which was a lot. Of all the pieces on show round Wrocław Stadium in Poland, it was a uncommon 510 Datsun 1300 that stood out to me essentially the most.
Fortunately, I used to be capable of meet up with its proprietor, George Kostopoulos from Kefalonia Island in Greece, who had a terrific story to inform about how the construct got here to be.
It started with George’s fascination with the Datsun 510 coupe. George had launched into a lengthy quest to seek out one, however after years of looking out in Europe with out an oz. of luck, he finally uncovered a rough-but-salvageable coupe on the market in South Africa. Not wanting to attend any longer, the acquisition was made and the coupe was shipped residence. It wanted elements, and in the course of the time George was wanting for a 510 donor automobile in Greece to obtain the bits and items wanted to carry the coupe again to life, he randomly stumbled throughout a 1968 four-door sedan parked within the metropolis.
The automobile was in outstanding situation. It didn’t appear to be any elements have been lacking, and amazingly it was nonetheless on its authentic Greek license plates. With data gathered from these plates, George managed to trace down the coupe’s proprietor, who turned out to be an 85-year-old gentleman that had owned the Datsun since new. Even higher, this aged gent was keen to promote it to him.
Early on in his possession, George got here to comprehend that the ’68 mannequin had some distinct variations from 510s produced in later years, together with a singular entrance grille, entrance bench seat, opposite-working wipers and smaller indicator lights and taillights. After contemplating the four-door sedan’s rarity and strong bones, George made the great choice to make use of it for his mission, fairly than reduce it up as a donor for the coupe.
He rebuilt the L13 OHC engine and geared up it with SU Hitachi carbs from a 1600 SSS 510. Desirous to go actually low on air suspension, George additionally raised the engine and gearbox meeting by an inch to make sure that none of driveline would contact the bottom when the automobile was aired out.
The engine bay was shaved, clean and wire tucked. The battery was relocated to the trunk, and several other elements have been chromed for some added aptitude.
Suspension is comprised of custom-fitted Air Raise Efficiency entrance struts and Slam Specialties RE-5 luggage within the rear.
The entrance and rear fenders have been stretched to accommodate 13×7-inch (-1 offset) Enkei AP Racing wheels, whereas in and out the Datsun was repainted in beautiful Nissan Pacific Blue. The entrance fender mirrors are a basic JDM contact.
Inside, the inside has been remodeled with brown accents, milky white carpets and wooden trim within the trunk. The unique Sanyo radio stays in middle of the dashboard as a nostalgic reminder of less complicated instances, together with a uncommon set of old fashioned Japanese audio system. Handbook switches and twin Air Raise gauges for the air trip sit in a {custom} panel beneath the sprint.
Over the course of two years, George labored on the bodywork, paint and meeting, dedicating a median of three hours per day to the mission. Whereas he dealt with most features of the automobile’s restoration himself, George did name on professionals to help with the seat retrim and chrome work.
The results of George’s onerous work is a uncommon Datsun 510 that I feel is stanced to perfection, therefore why it was my standout. Being at Ultrace 2023 additionally offered George a chance to attach with others and additional gasoline his ardour. Count on to see his 510 coupe on present within the close to future.
Vladimir Ljadov
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