In 1961, Motor Trend predicted, “Datsun will soon have a lot of Americans driving cars marked Made in Japan.” There’s no question they were right, and the road test they conducted on the Bluebird and Fairlady Roadster are pretty awesome to read, 53 years later!
Archives for July 2014
Datsun 411 Sedan Road Test – Car and Driver, 1967
Books About Datsuns!
The following is a listing of books pertaining to Datsun vehicles over the years. Some may be out of print, but can often be found by searching ebay, Amazon, used bookstores, or even your local library!
Author: Bill Fisher & Bob Waar
Publisher: HP Books 1973
ISBN: 0912656093
Author: Bob Waar
Publisher: Steve Smith Autosports 1984
ISBN: 0936834412
Description: A trimmed down version of the book above.
Author: Frank Honsowetz
ISBN: 1555611605
Author: Tom Monroe
ISBN: 1555611591
Author: Colim Messer
Publisher: John Muir Publications
Publication date: June 1986
ISBN: 031764890X
Publisher: Rex Jennett
Description: This is the complete collection of newsletters published by Rex Jennett, founder and president of the United Five-Ten Owners Club (UFO) from ’81 to ’89. This three-volume set contains over 600 pages of technical articles, photos, etc.
(Autobook 744), subtitled: 510 Series 1300, 1400, 1600, 1600SS
Author: by Kenneth Ball
Publisher: Autopress Ltd (England) 1973
ISBN: 0-85147-357-1
Author: Alan Ahlstrand
Publisher: Clymer Publications 1978
ISBN: 0-89287-117-2
Author: Paul Young
Publisher: Ten Speed Press, copyright 1980
ISBN: 0-89815-026-4
Description: This Datsun tuneup manual has been specifically designed to teach a person with absolutely no knowledge of auto mechanics exactly how to do a major tuneup on their Datsun (all models, 1968-1979). Each of the major steps of a complete tuneup is covered in detail. This book describes, step by step, what to do, exactly how to do it, and in addition, clearly illustrates each step with easy-to-follow diagrams.
Author: by John B. Rae
ISBN: 0070511128
Author: by John Matras
ISBN: 0760301360
Author: by Sylvia Wilkinson
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co. 1973
ISBN: 0-395-17222-5
Author: by David Halberstam
Publisher: William Morrow & Co. 1986
ISBN: 0-688-04838-2
Description: History of Nissan and Ford
Author: by Michael Cusamano
Publisher: Council on East Asian Studies, Harvard Univ 1985
ISBN: 0-674-47256-X
Author: by Marco Ruiz
Publisher: Portland House 1986
ISBN: 0-517-61777-3
Author: Edited by Al Hall
Publisher: Petersen Publishing 1975
ISBN: 0-8227-0117-0
Author: Edited by Al Hall
Publisher: Petersen Publishing 1977
ISBN: 0-8222-5007-4
Author: N/A
Publisher: Grand Prix (?)
ISBN: 87687-149-3 C2053 P1800E
Author: Edited by Hans Tanner
Publisher: Petersen Publishing Co. 1972
ISBN: (no ISBN)
Description: Has a few articles on ’72 model Datsuns plus a couple pages with pictures on BRE tuning.
Author: Edited by Miles Schofield
Publisher: Petersen Publishing Co. 1972
Library of Congress Card Catalog # 72-89053
Description: Has Datsun model roundup, maint/tuneup specs, 510 and 240Z carb rebuilds, 4 pages of BRE racing/parts w/ pictures
Author: Edited by Miles Schofield
Publisher: Petersen Publishing Co. 1972
Library of Congress Card Catalog # 62-53185
Author: Edited by Stuart Yale
Publisher: Copyright 1971 Phase III Publications, LTD NY
ISBN: None
Author: Paul Davies
Publisher: Speedsport Motorbooks (England) 1978
ISBN: 0-85113-086-0
Author: Jack Doo; Henry Rasmussen
Publisher: Motorbooks International Publishers & Wholesalers, Inc. 1989
ISBN: 0-87938-333-X
Description: Interesting book with lots of nice photos of early Japanese cars, Toyota 2000GT, 240Z, Roadster, and an outstanding two-page shot of the BRE 510
Author: Compiled by Trevor Alder
Publisher: Transport Source Books, Ltd. 1995
ISBN: 1858472849
Description: Reprinted articles from Britain’s Motor magazine, one article on the Datsun 1600 sedan, and two articles on the factory works 1600SSS rally cars
Author: Ben Hsu
Publisher: CarTech
ISBN-10: 1934709883
If you run across a book that’s not listed here, please let us know – We’d love to include it in our listing. Email us at [email protected]!
Datsun Key Identification Chart
Remembering Arthur Hughes and his Datsun 510
“They don’t make ’em like they used to…”

As Datsun enthusiasts, we all know that the chances of finding an early Datsun 510 that is stock and unmolested is usually pretty impossible. While there are several examples of well-preserved stock 510’s in North America, there is one particular car that really stands out. We’d like to tell you more about this amazing car… but more importantly, we’d like to tell you the story that goes along with it.
On November 9, 1971, Arthur Hughes purchased a 1972 Datsun 510 4-door sedan from Brasso Datsun in North Vancouver (Canada’s largest Datsun dealer). The car was intended to be driven by his aunt, who, due to her age, could no longer drive a larger car. The 510 came with most of the available options: Automatic transmission, tinted glass, rear window defroster, AM radio, dual side mirrors, engine trouble light, complete undercoating, and radial whitewalls and several other options.
In January 1979, Arthur’s aunt passed away, but bequeathed the 510 to Arthur in her will. At that time, she had only put 7,000 miles on the odometer. Amazingly, even the factory-installed clear protective vinyl was still on the rear door panels.
The Datsun Fuel Injection Bible – 200SX, 280Z, 280ZX, 810
This factory-issued manual contains all the information you need to troubleshoot, maintain and service the fuel injection system on your 1975 to 1980 Datsun.
The manual covers fuel injection systems for the Datsun 810, the 200SX, and the 280Z and 280ZX.
The manual is broken up into sections for ease of use – Click the link for the section you wish to view.
Section 1 – Principles of Operation
Datsun EFI Fuel Circuit
Datsun Fuel Injection Air Flow
Sensor Inputs to Control Unit
The Cold Start System
EFI Electrical System
Section 2 – Datsun EFI Troubleshooting
EFI Quick Checks (without special tools)
EFI Multimeter or Volt/Ohm Meter Checks
Wiring Diagrams (All Models) 1975 – 1980
EFI Troubleshooting with Kent/Moore J25400 Analyzer
Section 3 – Adjusting EFI Settings
Rat Bastard: VQ-powered Datsun 620 Drift Truck (Gallery)
Here’s a whole pickup bed-load of additional pictures of Zack’s Rat Bastard 620 build – We hope you enjoy it!






































































































































