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1973 Datsun 510
2dr Sedan
4-cyl. 1695cc/96hp 2bbl
#1 Concours condition#1 Concours
#2 Excellent condition#2 Excellent
#3 Good condition#3 Good
$19,600*
-10.1%
#4 Fair condition#4 Fair
Apr 2025
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1968-1973 Datsun 510 stats
Highest sale
$60,900
Lowest sale
$5,265
Most recent sale
$29,935
Sales
183
Photos
1 photoImage may not reflect selected vehicle.
Past sales
$6,930
1971 Datsun 510 Base
87000 M
Standard
North America
Nov 8, 2024Bring a Trailer
View details
$18,375
1971 Datsun 510 Base
25000 M
Standard
North America
Oct 29, 2024Bring a Trailer
View details
$13,135
1972 Datsun 510 Base
91000 M
Standard
North America
Oct 9, 2024Bring a Trailer
View details
$29,700
1970 Datsun 510 Base
Standard
North America
Jan 11, 2024Mecum Auctions
View details
$24,685
1973 Datsun 510 Base
Standard
North America
Jun 18, 2023Bring a Trailer
View details
$18,900
1971 Datsun 510 Base
Standard
North America
Mar 13, 2023Bring a Trailer
View details
Insurance
Protect your 1973 Datsun 510 from the unexpected for only $191 per year**
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**Figure based on a stock 1973 Datsun 510 valued at $19,600 with OH rates with $100/300K liability/UM/UIM limits. Actual costs vary depending on the coverage selected, vehicle condition, state and other factors. Hagerty determines final risk acceptance.
Model overview
Model description
Most car people think of the Datsun 240Z as the car that really changed the perception of Japanese cars among the motoring press and the public. In fact, it was the Datsun 510 that started the trend more than a year before the Z hit the U.S. And if the Z was a half-price E-Type, then the 510 was a BMW 1600/2002 at a substantial discount. The car packaged a fully independent rear suspension with semi-trailing arms (with the exception of the wagon, which had a live rear axle) with a SOHC four cylinder engine with single dual-throat carburetor to great effect. The car’s styling wasn’t the least bit odd, unlike many early Japanese cars, and the Datsun 510 became the darling of the enthusiast press and club racers. There was a four-door sedan, a two-door sedan and a wagon in the U.S., and a Japan-only coupe where it was known as the Bluebird.
Brock Racing Enterprises (BRE) fielded a team of Datsun 510s in Trans Am with driver John Morton that did remarkably well, and Datsun used this to their advantage in advertising. One area where the 510 didn’t bear a resemblance to the 2002 was in build quality. Interior plastics were several notches below BMW’s and the cars always had a tinny feeling that was the result of thinner gauge steel and lack of insulation. Still, the 510 was a milestone car for the Japanese motor industry and for Nissan/Datsun, who wouldn’t produce an entertaining small sedan again until the Sentra SE-R of the early 1990s. Sadly, rust has claimed most of the 510s in the U.S., with the exception of parts of the West Coast and the Pacific Northwest where one still sees them (particularly the wagons) performing daily driver duties.
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Common Questions
The value of a 1973 Datsun 510 can vary greatly depending on its condition, mileage, options, and history. Typically, you can expect to pay around $19,600 for a 1973 Datsun 510 in good condition with average spec.
The highest selling price of a 1973 Datsun 510 at auction over the last three years was $32,550. The highest prices are usually reserved for rare or exceptionally well-maintained examples with desirable features or modifications and excellent history.
The lowest selling price of a 1973 Datsun 510 at auction over the last three years was $15,498. The lowest prices are usually paid for examples that have extensive maintenance needs, differ greatly from their original configuration, or have accident histories or title problems.
In the last three years there have been 5 1973 Datsun 510s sold at public auction.
The most recent auction sale of a 1973 Datsun 510 was $15,498 on September 22, 2024 by Bring a Trailer.
Many factors can increase a car's value including excellent condition, exceptional originality, a recent restoration, low mileage, unique provenance, desirable options, popular or unique color choices, and excellent maintenance records. Upgrades and modifications that enhance performance or aesthetics can also add value.
Factors that can decrease a car's value include unusually high mileage, poor maintenance history, visible wear and tear, accidents or damage, title issues, and gaps in ownership history. Additionally, less popular color choices and extensive modifications that don't appeal to a broad audience can reduce value.
Mileage plays a significant role in a classic car’s value. Lower mileage usually increases value because it indicates a higher degree of originality, is rarer, and suggests less wear and tear. However, cars with exceptionally low mileage may also have maintenance needs due to lack of use. Whether someone should pay more for a vehicle with lower miles will depend on how they plan on using it, and the vehicle's specific condition.
The value of modified cars differs widely based on the type and quality of modifications. While some modifications can significantly increase value, especially performance enhancements and high-quality custom work, others may not add much or could even detract from the car’s value if they appeal to only a limited audience.