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Being a California resident I have started to look into smog exempt cars. 1st generation mustangs have always been one of my favorite car designs while 70s datsun 510s just look awesome. I wouldn't be constructing a show quality car, just something that could be turned into a fun, oldschool daily driver.
What do you guys think?
Can you wrench yourself?
Is fuel mileage important?
Mustang parts will be a lot easier to find.
it must be nice to live in a state where both havn't completely rotted away ;) as a daily driver I'd have to vote for the dime, rack and pinion steering, front disk brakes, independent suspension, and good fuel economy, the mustangs steering sucks, most had 4 wheel drums an dor no power booster, solid axles with leaf springs, of course all these things can be upgraded as the aftermarket for the mustang is stronger than just about any other car, but I'd still prefer the dime ;)
In reply to smog7:
Straight line performance - Mustang. For a fun factor good handling throw into the corners car - 510.
aussiesmg wrote:Can you wrench yourself?
Is fuel mileage important?
I can do basic maintenance (brakes,suspension, etc). engine and tranny rebuilds not so much.
In reply to smog7:
Neither car is complicated and parts are easily available for both.
Datsuns are fuel efficient, fun, much better suspension/steering/brakes as stated. They are less common and more of a niche enthusiasts car.
The Mustang is....well a Mustang, tough, hardly rare, thirsty, and have a throaty V8, very simple and inefficient by any standard.
This guy has a thing for the Datsuns
510s are rare?
In reply to smog7:
64-66 Mustangs - over 1.5 million made.
a 510 is rare compared to that
May I make a suggestion... a 510 with an engine swap... SR20 DE, or even a KA24DE will allow the little 510 to accelerate just about as well as a vintage smallblock powered pony car
510 with a turbo 13B?
yeah a swapped 510 would be awesome. anyone know of any good 510 and mustang sites/forums?
I'd never ever swap an engine in a 510. These cars won more under 2.5 TransAm races and B sedan titles than all their competition combined and that included 2002's, Escorts and GTV's. Not bad for a Jap econobx.
I'd do one up as a BRE replica and smile the whole time while driving it.
I'll just second the "Must be nice" sentiment.
I am on the other side, 65-66 stang. Most of what I find needs beyond a complete rebuild, so upgrade!
Why not a crapmaro? The pro-touring poser ranks are full of them.
not sure you can do the swap on the 510.. that would put you back into the realm of being smogged again if the engine is from something that needs to be smogged.
That said.. I would take the Mustang and go the opposite way most do.. I think Mustangs and Camaros look really cool when done up to go around corners like they did in the Trans Am Series
evildky wrote:it must be nice to live in a state where both havn't completely rotted away ;) as a daily driver I'd have to vote for the dime, rack and pinion steering, front disk brakes, independent suspension, and good fuel economy, the mustangs steering sucks, most had 4 wheel drums an dor no power booster, solid axles with leaf springs, of course all these things can be upgraded as the aftermarket for the mustang is stronger than just about any other car, but I'd still prefer the dime ;)
Just as an FYI, 510's don't have rack and pinion steering. They are blessed with a steering box that is impossible to get new parts for when the worm and sector inevitably wear out.
That being said, I still vote 510. I got mine for my first car nearly 7 years ago and haven't looked back. I have driven it nearly daily for most of that time and it has never let me down.
Parts are becoming easier to find these days with the use of the internet. There is even a good selection of well made aftermarket suspension/chassis parts available. Plus, it's not a cookie cutter car like the Mustang.
TR8owner wrote:In reply to smog7:
Straight line performance - Mustang. For a fun factor good handling throw into the corners car - 510.
This, and I've owned both.
I've restored several early Mustangs.
More affordable: Mustang
More Fun: Datsun 510.
I'd rather look at the Mustang and drive the Datsun.
smog7 wrote:510s are rare?
front fenders, chrome bumpers, tail lights, dash parts, rear quarter panels are not easily sourced and are getting pricey.
there are mustang people making all these parts, but not 510 people.
I haven't read all the responses here, so sorry if I'm repeating anything, but one thing to keep in mind with the mustang is that it can be reasonably modified to be very fun to drive. They just aren't in stock form. You can upgrade virtually every part of the car to your liking. I bought my '65 bone stock and totally original. It had been stored inside for 20 years. The first time I took it on the freeway I thought I was driving a small boat, and was afraid to go over 50mph in it. Just for clarity, I'm not easily scared in a car. But once I changed the front end geometry to actually work correctly, added front disc brakes, radial tires, rack and pinion steering, a 5 speed trans, and better seats, it's a real blast to drive. And since they were really pretty terrible in stock form, making well thought out modifications actually increases their value over a stock car, at least if you are talking the bread and butter mustangs. It may be a way for you to have the best qualities of both cars you are asking about.
I'd be torn too: I think I'd choose the mustang if it was a fastback, 510 if not. I'd also be looking at BMW 2002's and 240z's if I was in a less rusty region.
My "perfect" early mustang would be a fastback, use a modern Ford drivetrain, and take as many visual cues as possible from period correct Trans Am car.
smog7 wrote:Rust free 510s are rare?
Fixed it for you.
Some Dime stuff is getting tricky to find but if your not building a show queen you can always mod the hell out of it to fit your tastes. The 510 will never be a $100,000 car so customize to your hearts content.
smog7 wrote:anyone know of any good 510 and mustang sites/forums?
The guys at Ratsun.net would probably be helpful with a 510 project.
TR8owner wrote:I'd never ever swap an engine in a 510. These cars won more under 2.5 TransAm races and B sedan titles than all their competition combined and that included 2002's, Escorts and GTV's. Not bad for a Jap econobx.
I'd do one up as a BRE replica and smile the whole time while driving it.
There is a lot of backstory behind that. Huge amount. And it was only over 2 seasons- the GTV/GTA won more races, since they started in '65.
Plus, the Mustang didn't do too badly in Trans Am. For the entire life of the main series.
Anyway, be aware that both cars will be a LONG way from the TA cars. An early 70's Datsun 1600 isn't going to be all that super hot. And a Mustang will have some power, but nothing like what a TA car would.
I would not be all that suprised to find out that in actual costs, the cost to a relative equal upgrade to either powertrain- the Mustang will be cheaper than the 510. As for Engine swaps- I don't know much about 510 swaps, but the 289 lasted as a 5.0 all the way to about 2000- so a 5.0 upgrade from an Explorer may be a lot easier than the same swap from a late 240.
The real answer- both cars are great, both cars can be very great, but you could barely choose more different of characters. You really need to get out and try both, and see which one you like and fit in better. Either car will be incredibly rewarding for what you want.
Eric
