I have to admit that my eyes tend to glass over whenever I see an ultra clean car. The car may be done up correctly with appropriate ride height, wheel fitment, clean body work and everything else we appreciate on Speedhunters but I find there’s something quite impersonal about being perfect. Owners of clean cars tend to tweak over the smallest details when something isn’t as clean or as perfect as they want. I find a lot of these car owners start to lose the enjoyment of owning automobiles. What’s the point of owning a play car if you can’t enjoy actually owning it?
When I was given the task to choose one car from the Hellaflush III
meet to shoot and feature on Speedhunters, my first thought was that it
would be an extremely hard task –especially knowing the quality and quantity of
cars that come out to the Hellaflush meets. Mike Garrett and I circled
around the meet a few times and mentally noting each car that we passed.
We saw our fair share of clean and very well done BMWs, Nissans,
Hondas, Mitsubishis, and Mazdas, but when we came upon a car that that
was had the same group friends as That 240z, we just knew we’d found our car.
One of the most important traits that I look for in a car is character–this 1973 Datsun 610 Wagon definitely has a whole boat load of it.
Look at it. Just look at it. This car makes you laugh out loud, giggle like a girl uncontrollably, question the owners sanity, question your own sanity for even being sexually attracted to it loving it, and finally accepting the fact that the cars’ ridiculousness is the reason why you’re completely drawn to it. It’s rusted, the front clip is slightly bent from an accident, some panels are dinged up, it has a cracked rear tail lamp, tires rub, and it is dropped lower than any rational classic car owner would ever even dream about. It is traits like these are the things that draw us to this car the same way we’re drawn to Boba Fett’s beat up and rusted Slave I!
It’s definitely not easy to drop a car to this ride height when it is a classic like this 610 wagon. Aftermarket support runs very thin, so a lot of custom work had to be done. The front suspension is a plethora of mix and match parts, but the result proves that the inter-brand breeding was well worth it. Volkswagen Mark I shock inserts were used with sectioned stock struts and put on coilovers with 450lb springs. There are also some lower roll center adjusters, created by Daft Innovation, that spaces the wheels out an extra 25mm. S13 camber plates were also added for maximum camber tuning.
A Datsun 510 rear subframe with all urethane bushings were used for the rear of this car. The rear differential is an R-180 which came from a 240z.
This is the result of all that custom mix and match: a pair of 15×9 -27 offset SSR Longchamps are able to tuck under the rear fender perfectly. The fronts houses pair of 15×7 -1 offset wheels which, I have to admit, are not as impressive as the rear but the overall package looks silky smooth.
The exhaust is all custom; 2″ piping with a Nissan 350z pre-silencer
which was used as a muffler and a Empi Volkswagen stinger tip. The car
looks like it’ll be extremely loud but it is surprisingly soft.
The front headlamps were replaced with a set of 16k HID which shine a bright violet color –an interesting change from the usual white, yellow, or blue that we all normally see.
Here’s a detail of the front driver side headlamp which shows the bent frame which was eventually straightened out. The rust, the cracked bondo and paint give so much character to the car! Each crack, flakey bondo, and rust all have a story to tell.
The engine bay houses a stock L28 and stock 4-speed transmission.
The only thing not stock in the engine bay is the Cusco strut tower bar. You’re probably asking yourself when did Cusco make strut tower bars for 610s and the answer is the bar is actually for an S13. The current bar in going across the 610s engine bay was cut and re-welded together!
One of my favorite details of the engine is the stock carburetor which has little window so you can gauge the fuel level that is currently in the carb!
The interior of the car was kept relatively stock also. Key word: relativity. The front seats were replaced with seats form a kouki Nissan S14, the steering wheel is wood grain Payton wheel, wide race car style Wink mirror, the shift knob and extension was custom made, and the Crown Royal shift boot was also custom. There’s a trend with Crown Royal shift boots isn’t there? The last time we saw this was in the Zombie Rod from Bonneville!
The air bag system runs from a nitrogen tank which is located in the trunk.
This 610 wagon may be bagged, but that does not stop the owner from driving as slammed as possible at all times. Grass and dirt? Dragging frame? Not a problem.
When you’re looking at this car from the rear and the car is laying as low as it can low, you can’t help but to think of it as a giant metallic caterpillar crawling about….
This car was chosen out of the many cars at Hellaflush III for a few good reasons:
1.) You rarely ever see this type of classic car especially when done up in this way.
2.) …and you rarely ever see this type of classic car especially when done up in this way.
3.) It stood out from the crowd of 350z, Evos, and S2Ks.
4.) You can tell there’s so much of the owner’s personality injected into every bit of the car.
5.) Oh, and you rarely ever see this type of classic car especially when done up in this way and executed with such excellent taste!
The type of people that modify their cars to have this “rat” look don’t purposely do it. They get these cars looking ragged and beat up. But rather than fixing it up to be clean and hiding the wear, tear, and most importantly, it’s history, they choose to keep all that exposed. Why hide history? History builds character. If you build from history, you’ll find that you’re always in a better place.
The chairman of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernake, did just that and so did the owner of this Datsun 610 wagon.
-Linhbergh Nguyen
THAT WAS MY VOTE TOO FROM HELLA FLUSH 3..SO DOPE!!
good choice!
wow what a car that last pic looks magical and the car is sick i want it!!!!!
Thumbs up from a fellow Datsun owner!
Fricking awesome write up from you yet again,
you picked this for all the right reasons,
character is KEY!!!!!!!
Can we get 1st & last picture as desktops??
Is only the rear bagged? I missed the bit explaining the air ride pre tank pic. Attention grabbing car none the less
So so beautiful
Wicked ride! Wallpaper of the last one please!
sooo sick
slave 1 reference. love it.
Perfect!!! A simply amazing choice, I agree 100% That Datsun is simply stunning. Amazing fitment, looks sexy as hell slammed, and I love every detail! Great choice guys!
Always a great story and amazing supporting visual aids. If you wouldn't be so kind to upload the first and last picture in hi-res. Thank You and Merry Christmas.
<3breakers
illest shoot yet "team Linhbergh" FTW
WOO JUSTIN
Such a nice car, props to him for getting it done with such a lack of parts readily available.
Last pic as desktop
Desktop wallpaper of the last shot please!
we definitely need a high res version of that final shot (driving over the leaves).
henry sell me your wheels!ha
This car definitely deserves wallpaper!
Great shots!
shits tight justin... last time i saw ur whip it was almost done w the suspension.. good werk my friend.. wish i could build another whip.. but always good work bro
great exhaust!
Brilliant! a lovely mix and match of parts to create a perfect 610.And it does stand out from the vws and s200s and other conventional slammed cars. And a wallpaper of that final shot would be perfect Linhbergh.
Merry christmas~ That's steak sauce!
Heartbreaker!
the motor is a stock L18 (4cylinder), not a L28 (280ZX 6cylinder).
great shoot! love it.
makes me want to my '68 510 'goon rollin' again.
Yay Justin!!!!!!!!!!!^^
<3<3<3
minji.... Steak Sauce??? huh?
Great choice! A deserving winner. And that last photo deserves to be a wallpaper!
car looks great, lots of class and character!!
Great car, wallpaper pretty plz!!! especially the last pic
love to see a guy running bags...and actually compressing em while driving....death to sumps!!
HEARTBREAKER.
haha.
nice feature.
wallpaper the last pic please?
Beautiful photography, Linhbergh. TSE lens on the first and last shots? Your post-work has a distinctive style to it as well. Really nice work.
Wallpaper Plz.
OMG! so sexy! This is the best "family" car i've ever seen... Wallpaper plzz!
Oh shit Oh shit !! just AWESOME !! love that ride !! excellent choice, and superd taste.
This is a great article to end my day with! I am all about the older vintage japanese automobiles and culture. Maybe sometime in the future we could find some Toyota 2000gt's to post up? Or some Sa22's? thoughtful wishing.
Last pic as background PLEASE! EPIC!
Awesome ride...
definitely need more coverage like this <3
im in love <3
Beautiful car. I love cars like this. Cars like this show the personality of the owner. From the colorful blanket on the rear seats to the crown royal shifter boot. This car's got SOUL.
amazing, i agree with the person who said the 1st and last picture should be desktop, they are truly beautiful pictures.
Nicely writting article and always loving the picture quality,3,4 & last one as a wallpaper...would be sweet.
ditch the ncra's and get some 8J -15 up front then it will be perfect
Amazing photos!
Desktop with the smokin exhaust' shot pleaaaaaaaaase ! This car is bananas... b.a.n.a.n.a.s !
I wont be the first or last to say it, but last photo for a wallpaper for sure please!!!
one of the best set of pics from u... fabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you:)
So Great !
Can we have Desktops as 1st and especiallay the Last ?
the only thing he needs now is a RB26DETT or RB25DET swap
loving the thing. it has so much personality! and originality..
Oi oi oi oi oi!! Tou have probablt forgotten to say that you rarely ever see this type of classic car especially when done up in this way!
We want desktops as the Last One !!!
Great Car - Great Shots! The last one have to be desktop for sure - it emmits warm fall mood like all around! Thanks for this great post and keep them coming!
Heart Breaker !!!
Sick car!
Wallpaper of the last pic please!!!
I want Wallpaper of the last one !
Heartbreaker.. soo true !
Please, Linhbergh, WALLPAERS!!!! (specially from the first n last pics!)
Inspring, ditto on the wallpaper.
PLEASE WALLPAPERS FROM THE LAST AND THE FIRST PICTURE !!!
Desktop of last pic please!
Wallpaper of 1st and last plz!!!!!!
Here's a post-holiday present for you all. You guys asked for it, so here it is! Head on over to
Here's a post-holiday present for you all. You guys asked for it, so here it is! Head on over to
Finally. This car is fire.
such a sick car!!
Why hide history? History builds character. If you build from history, you'll find that you're always in a better place.
couldnt have said it any better! its too true
Like it a lot, but would have kept a vintage interior for perfection.
love it last pic will be my wallpaper for life.
kick ass character
Awesome pic of an awesome car.
That car is just plain awesome, I totally love her too. Perfect write-up, Linhbergh!
lame its on bags...still really bad ass! i want those long champs!!
I'm actually a fan of wagons, but I just can't get behind this one.
Soo sick! Like everyone else, can we get a desktop of the last one???
grassroots baby!!! this is what it's all about - some rust, bondo, and a little paint cracking, you buy it and build it - it's not about building a show car anymore it's about driving and having fun with a build, constantly changing the look and style. This car is awesome - take note people this is where it's going and where it's at....!!!
usually dont like pics of road cars on grass but damn this one works
There really is something about custom classic cars that make it a complete head-turner despite their age. This car is no exception. It's got the "It Factor".
Now how about an SR20 in there? Combine that with LSD in the rear diff, I'd love to see this drift! Lol!
"a pair of 15x9 -27 offset SSR Longchamps are able to tuck under the rear fender perfectly"
i wouldn't call that perfect, i hate that obnoxious camber look where the top of the rim sits inboard of the arch.
other than that, awesome car!
gorgeous photography as always!
CAR JUST MAKES YOU APPRECIATE THE PAST. ALL ITS MISSING IS A DVD PLAYER MOUNTED TO THE CEILING WITH A BUNCHA GODZILLA AND BATTLE OF THE PLANETS DVD BOX SETS, SO YOU CAN SIT IN THE BACK IN YOUR FAVORITE LOOK OUT LOCATION WITH YOUR TENDA. AFTER THE MOVIE, ITS BACK TO DISRUPTING AND TERRORIZING DEAD LEAVES.
Damn Justin ALWAYS buildin' g ass rides.
I have to admit. I am a complete newbie when it comes to most things Hot Rod, custom, low rider, or anything
Here's a post-holiday present for you all. You guys asked for it, so here it is! Head on over to
In our line of work, conflicting dates is something we have to work around. After all there are only so many weekends in a year. While Rod and Linhergh headed to Sonoma to shoot Formula Drift over the weekend, it was decided that I'd hang around SoCal
Now onto the fourth and final part of my look at the 7th Annual Japanese Classic Car Show. Up above we have the fresh looking carbon on white AE86 hatchback of the Bowls LA Crew, which was sitting near the Mackin Industries/Rays booth.
I can't tell you how many times I have come back to this article... LOVE this car.
Hey, still go those stock front seats? Where did you get the fender mirrors? I'm restoring a 73 datsun 1800 wagon and need parts. Quietlion79@hotmail.com Thx, Andy
Hey, still go those stock front seats? Where did you get the fender mirrors? I'm restoring a 73 datsun 1800 wagon and need parts. Quietlion79@hotmail.com Thx, Andy
Hey, still go those stock front seats? Where did you get the fender mirrors? I'm restoring a 73 datsun 1800 wagon and need parts. Quietlion79@hotmail.com Thx, Andy
any link to the last picture in high res? much appreciated!
any link to the last picture in high res? much appreciated!
L28 come on man
loopagain the same i thought. it's a L20 huh?
The description says "The engine bay houses a stock L28", but I count only 4 spark plug wires. That should be, by all counts, an L20B inline four. The L28 is the inline six that came in the 280Z. Very cool car though. My father has both a 510 wagon and a 610 wagon.