Over the past few weeks, we’ve taken a closer look at what Ultrace 2023 has to offer, which many. A rare 510 Datsun 1300 stood out to me from all the things on display around the Wrocław Stadium in Poland.
Luckily, I was able to catch up with its owner, George Kostopoulos from the Greek island of Kefalonia, who told me a great story about the build.
George started out with a fascination with the Datsun 510 coupe. George began a long search to find one, but after several years of searching Europe with no luck, he finally came across a rough but salvageable coupe for sale in South Africa. As he didn’t want to wait any longer, the purchase was made and the coupe was delivered home. He needed parts, and while George was looking for a 510 donor car in Greece to get the parts to bring the coupe back to life, he stumbled across a 1968 four-door sedan parked in town.
The car was in remarkable condition. It didn’t look like any parts were missing and amazingly it still had its original Greek plates. Based on the information gathered from these plates, George was able to track down the coupe’s owner, who turned out to be an 85-year-old gentleman who had owned the Datsun since new. Even better, this old gentleman was willing to sell it to him.
Early in his ownership, George discovered that the ’68 model had some distinct differences from the later-year 510s, including a unique front grille, front seat, reverse-wiper blades, and smaller turn signals and rear lamps. After considering the four-door sedan’s rarity and solid bones, George made the smart decision to use it for his project rather than chop it up as a coupe donation.
He rebuilt the L13 OHC engine and fitted it with SU Hitachi carbs from a 1600 SSS 510. very low on the air suspension, George raised both the engine and transmission an inch to ensure the drivetrain doesn’t touch the ground when the car is aired.
The engine bay was shaved, smooth and wired up. The battery was moved to the trunk and several parts were chromed to add some flair.
The suspension is custom built Air Lift performance front struts and Slam Specialties RE-5 bags in the rear.
The front and rear fenders were extended to 13×7-inch (-1 offset) Enkei AP Racing wheels, while the Datsun was painted a beautiful Nissan Pacific Blue inside and out. The front fender mirrors have a classic JDM feel.
Inside, the interior has been remodeled with brown trim, milky white carpets, and wood trim in the trunk. The original Sanyo radio remains in the center of the dash as a nostalgic reminder of simpler times, along with a rare set of old-school Japanese speakers. Manual switches and twin Air Lift gauges for air travel are located on a unique panel below the instrument panel.
Over the course of two years, George worked on the bodywork, painting and assembly, devoting an average of three hours a day to the project. While he handled most of the car’s restoration himself, George called in professionals to help with the seat conversion and chrome plating.
The result of George’s hard work is a rare Datsun 510, which I believe it is was standing to perfection, which is why it was my standout. Participating in Ultrace 2023 has also given George the opportunity to connect with others and further fuel his passion. You can expect to see the 510 coupe for presentation in the near future.
Vladimir Lyadov
Instagram: kerekbyvovka
because@wheelsbywovka.com
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