Depth of Speed gets cozy with a Datsun 510 Wagon

The Datsun 510 will always hold a special place in enthusiast's hearts. The anemic little coupes and sedans quickly established themselves as willing performers on North American race tracks in the early '70s. But while the goons at BRE were busy embarrassing other manufacturers in the Trans Am Challenge, scads of 510 Wagons contented themselves with family hauler duty. These days, the unloved wagons are easily outpaced by their two- and four-door compatriots at car shows, but the guys at Depth of Speed managed to find one very well-executed long roof 510 to hang out with for an afternoon.

Unlike most tin top examples, this particular model came with a pre-installed vinyl roof. The owner saw the ratted vinyl as an excuse to install a Volkswagen-style canvas sunroof and went to town. Years of tinkering later, the wagon now rides on a lowered stance with some period wheels. The machine isn't perfect by any stretch – the paint doesn't exactly match and there are dents and dings – but this one gets driven on its original 4-banger. And that's good enough for us.

Oh, there's also a bonus Toyota Hilux, too. Check it out past the jump.