The Shakotan 510

As you saw during my “Photo Attack” last week, the JCCA New Year Meeting is the mecca of vintage Japanese car culture. With so many amazing vehicles gathered in one place, picking favorites is nearly impossible. Even so, there were still a few cars which made a big impression on me, and one of them was this tidy little four door 510 Bluebird.

Compared to many of the cars that gathered in Odaiba, this one was quite mild. But sometimes mild is best, and what this car lacked in aggressive aero parts and coloring it made up for with an unbelievably aggressive stance. For starters, it was dropped low. About as low I’ve ever seen a 510 chassis go, with its underside nearly touching the ground.

And then there’s the wheels. Not just any wheels, but an extremely rare set of 14″ Takechi Project Racing Harts. The fenders have been modified extensively to fit the wheels, but the body work has been done so well that it looks completely natural.

Besides the unreal stance, the rest of the car was nearly stock. Check the out the tiny little muffler for example – very restrained. The interior of the car was equally simple with low back bucket seats and a Datsun option steering wheel.

This 510 wasn’t the most exotic or the rarest car at the JCCA New Year Meeting, but for me it was one of the most memorable. Given the company that it was in, that’s saying quite a bit.

-Mike

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1

WHAT IN FUCK IS DONE TO THIS POOR CAR? STUPID HICK JAPANESE WITH ANIME BODY PILLOW AND LITTLE KEI CAR LOOKS AT PERFECTLY FINE DATSUN 510 AND SAYS "NO, CAR NEED MORE DUMB SHIT ON IT"? WHAT IS REASON FOR CAMBER? IF YOU NEED TO GO ROUND TURN IN EMERGENCY, NOW WHEEL IS TWISTED INTO PAINFUL ANGLE AND YOU MISS EVERY APEX! LOOK AT WRONG SUSPENSION! WHERE DID TIRES GO? WHAT ELSE HE FUCK? YOU PUT NEW LS1 ENGINE? HOW ABOUT BAD FIT OVERFENDERS TO SHOW OFF AT DRIFT PARTY AND NEVER HIT RACE TRACK EVER AGAIN? SURE, IS ONLY CHEAP DATSUN TYPE BUT IS STILL PROUD DESIGN OF YUTAKA KATAYAMA. THIS IS LIKE SENDING HIM BIRTHDAY CARD WITH SEVERED OFF THUMB OF DAUGHTER IN ENVELOPE. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY YUTAKA!! I PISS ON ALL YOU CREATE!" LARGE MOUND FORMS OVER YUTAKA'S GRAVE BY CONSTANT TUMBLING OF HIS ANGRY CORPSE. IS FAULT OF PEOPLE LIKE THIS. CAR WAS FINE BEFORE YOU FUCK IT. NOW IS TRASH. MAYBE YOU CHECK IN GARAGE AND ORIGINAL WHEELS AND SUSPENSION ARE STILL THERE. MAYBE IS NOT TOO LATE TO KEEP CAR SOMETHING NOT SHAMEFUL TO TAKE TO RACE TRACK. TAKE SHIT OF GOAT AWAY AND COULD STILL BE GOOD AUTOMOBILE.

2

I like this. Lowered and subtle.
(No more is needed).

3

@jake Laird Did google translate that for you buddy? I think the owner should lower it juuuuuust a little bit more.

4

most hilarious comment i've read on speedhunters thus far.

5

@jake laird - er... here we go again on the 'subjectivity' issue (or 'lets send abuse via interweb issue)

6

haters gonna hate

7

I normally don't like the cars with a huge amount of negative camber but this car looks great. I don't see this car as a race car, or car driven fast but a nice cruiser to show off on the weekends. I say that, but for all i know this car gets stuck on driveways and has to go around speed bumps which would take a little of the fun out of it for the driver.

8

You guys always call them 510's, it's like calling all S13' and 180's 240SX's. Outside of the US and Canada they were known as the 1300, 1500, 1600 and the bluebird. Just a little pet peeve of mine.

9

ROFL

10

Old school ride, just what's suppossed to be, me likes.

11

@Sam Can't help where we're from man...On subject though, can't wait until I can find a 510 or 270...

12

lol
 
Katayama designed the 510? o...k....

13

Delete + Ban Hammer please?

14

is it me or does some of the desktops not work?!

15

Rad. I'm feelin this

16

Mr Katayama is dead? o...k... as well

17

why's them front tyre fitted backwards (o.0)

18

why's them front tyre fitted backwards (o.0)

19

Didn't you know this was an American website?

20

Didn't you know this was an American website?

Author21

@Sam Actually, "510" is part of the chassis code for this model. Even in Japan they are referred to as "510 Bluebird" or "510 Blue".

Author22

@Sam Actually, "510" is part of the chassis code for this model. Even in Japan they are referred to as "510 Bluebird" or "510 Blue".

23

@Mike Garrett  @Sam yep in oz they are datsun 1600's but plenty of people refer to them as 510's

24

@Mike Garrett  @Sam yep in oz they are datsun 1600's but plenty of people refer to them as 510's

25

Guard work is a bit over the top for me but still a nice car

26

Guard work is a bit over the top for me but still a nice car

27

Looks subtle and clean like the Acura Legend posted by Sean a week ago? 
...and people flamed the crap out of that car/post because? Just wondering

28

Looks subtle and clean like the Acura Legend posted by Sean a week ago? 
...and people flamed the crap out of that car/post because? Just wondering

29

"For starters, it was dropped low"
REALLY? I couldn't figure it out myself! I was scratching my head, looking at this car, I couldn't figure out what was different from other 510's! Thanks for stating the obvious. YES, it looks low, because it is low!

30

"For starters, it was dropped low"
REALLY? I couldn't figure it out myself! I was scratching my head, looking at this car, I couldn't figure out what was different from other 510's! Thanks for stating the obvious. YES, it looks low, because it is low!

31

Jake, I love you!

32

Jake, I love you!

Author33

@JDMized Glad I could help :)

Author34

@JDMized Glad I could help :)

35

@Frozzy this got 5 pictures, the other one got a full feature and an interview with the owner, and even with the little bits done to it, it still has more work put in to it than that legend, is a rarer car, and looks better (subjective)

36

@Frozzy this got 5 pictures, the other one got a full feature and an interview with the owner, and even with the little bits done to it, it still has more work put in to it than that legend, is a rarer car, and looks better (subjective)

37

nice car..camber looks rather silly in my opinion. What about starting to use motorbike tires for more camber? :-p

38

nice car..camber looks rather silly in my opinion. What about starting to use motorbike tires for more camber? :-p

39

0_______________________________0

40

@jake Laird LMAO!!!

41

@JDMized that was rude....

42

datsuns are always made with so much style! I love it.

43

@JDMized
I know right, I don't even know why he bothered mentioning the wheels or the muffler either, clearly just stating the obvious. Why even have words?

44

@JDMized
I know right, I don't even know why he bothered mentioning the wheels or the muffler either, clearly just stating the obvious. Why even have words?

45

@JDMized
I know right, I don't even know why he bothered mentioning the wheels or the muffler either, clearly just stating the obvious. Why even have words?

46

Raise it an inch-and-a-half and it'd be perfect in my eyes.

47

damn man this thing looks retarded...please raise it up!!!

48

There's nothing retarded about it being slammed...learn to appreciate.

49

There's nothing retarded about it being slammed...learn to appreciate.

50

There's nothing retarded about it being slammed...learn to appreciate.

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