Datsun 510 SSS Bluebird: The Ultimate No Compromise Street Racer! A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing!

Datsun 510 SSS Bluebird build by B&T Performance Retro in Chiang Mai. This amazing restoration has to be up there are one of the best 510s in existence in the world today!
Restored without any compromise from the ground up over two years and featuring almost all new panels (including the floor) it is highly modified with a list of upgrades and parts sourced from across that globe that’s too long to detail here, but I go through with the builder step-by-step in the video.
All work has been carried with period correct flair and a highly detailed knowledge of Datsun’s production, circuit racing and street racing history. Powerful engine performance and excellent chassis dynamics complement the sky-high standard of this restoration.
Video explains the build in depth and details all the modifications and upgrades that have been made to arrive at this amazing car.
More here:
Facebook: / racingnewsthailand
Instagram: @eddellison
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[@Datsun510zen]

I'm not an expert on vintage Thai 510 restoration/modernization, but I've owned, built, and raced them for 40 + years. The level of detail in this SSS Bluebird Is astonishing. Beyond the attention to esthetics, it has much of the same chassis modifications as my current 510 purpose built for Street Modified class SCCA auto-cross racing. The mods and upgrades to his L20b, R180 LSD, Willwood Brakes, adjustable coil-overs, camber brackets on the rear X-member are all contemporary race equipment, but converting to JBC's rack and pinion is truly next level stuff. The owner of this 510 and the folks at B&D Performance really did their homework. Technical point worth mentioning: The term "multi-link" rear suspension refers to double wishbone, or four/five longitudinal linkage configurations. The 510, as well as BMW 2002 and all 3-series sedans, Porsche 911s, Mercedes S230 to 560SEC all had what's called "Trailing or Semi-Trailing Arm Independent Rear Suspension".

[@EddEllisonTh]

Thanks for the reply and info, nice to hear from you. The car amazed me also, I really wanted to try as best I could to convey the amount of work and thinking that went into that project. I've seen your cars on KZbin a while back, very impressive also!

[@Hoss_D]

Love that Weber induction roar. Nothing like it.

[@billshuey7422]

I had a new 1972 Datsun 510 SSS truly an incredible car. Living Thailand now maybe it I'd time for another one.

[@EddEllisonTh]

Lucky you! They are something a bit special. Pretty well regarded overhere.

[@ClamHammer-rn3rg]

Radical! Man, these cars are so small. I can park mine next an an modern accord or Camry and it looks like a clown car. Seeing them driving this on those little Thai roads all the sudden it’s a proper size., what a trip! I usually don’t watch a lot of 510 videos because they are some kind of swapped Frankenstein on steroids, kinda kills the 510 soul to me. This was a very refreshing watch. What a sick build and the passion put into it. Something to be proud of for sure

[@EddEllisonTh]

Yeah, know what you mean, 510s really look so small now. This one was quite exceptional, but small looking still. There are a few wide body conversions about that do give it some extra visual strength, I quite like them.

[@Hoss_D]

Please do a video on that Giulia that can be seen in the background at 12:50. Or any 105 Alfas you might run across!

[@denzellcham]

Thank you for sharing the details of this car. It's a good source of inspiration for many people including myself on how we can improve our 510. Keep up the good work!

[@EddEllisonTh]

Thank you very much. And this video was for sure a real enjoyment to make.

[@edwindavidnathan]

Very nice car. Thank you very much for the detailed and informative explanation. It's easier for car guys like me to modify my old school JDM cars. I really learned very much from this video.

[@EddEllisonTh]

Thank you, was amazing for me to see that so much work that had gone into this car build and I really wanted to get that across

[@nilsonugre4754]

wow what a beauty and i like how the owner went to great detail about the car build. Can i ask..... shouldn't there be a SSS badge on the front grille

[@kikiichiban4584]

This car is awesome. Thank you for sharing it

[@EddEllisonTh]

Thanks, I was lucky to meet this car, really is special.

[@rickiwamoto8099]

Nice Looking 👀 Datsun BlueBird 4 Door 510 .

[@propellerhead2000]

Stunning and inspirational.

[@mikegosecure6826]

Good 510

[@eddiecruz5591]

That must be a FIA cylinder head because you're not getting 46mm intake valves in a sss A87 head, and a 88mm bore ,wow did you have to sonic test the block? Very nice car.

[@Uglier.]

can someone explain the differences between the 2 and 4 door versions and the fender mirrors

[@AdamEwart]

2 Door sedan typically US spec only. 4 Door for the rest of the world, Japan, Europe and Australia. Plenty of 2 doors now imported to other countries by enthusiasts, and certainly the most desirable. The coupe version was pretty much a global offering, though. Not sure what you mean about the mirrors??

[@AdamEwart]

I mean, it's nice and all...but up there with the best in the world?? No. Not even close. Not even close to Daniel Wu's 510, which really is a classic resto...it doesn't even have a Datsun badged rocker cover! 😄 You really need to come to Australia and see what folks here do with these cars. I'm not referring to the hypo chopped and modded versions either, even the classic restored or restomod examples really are the very best in the world. The car featured here would qualify as a nice and tidy example, something to be proud of, but would still only be a run of the mill Datto compared to dozens of others getting around the country.

[@Datsun510zen]

Nice to see you have national pride for your 510 community, but all countries who got the 510 have their own relationship with these cars. "The very best in the world" is a matter of perspective and subjective tatste. Edd's Vid is his perspective on the quality and style of this build. No need to go all peacock on it. Daniel Wu's Tanto was one of many outstanding 510's at SEMA Losvegas US. The guys at Grassroots did a vid on Dan's car because Troy Ermish' who built Dan's is a legendary vintage 510 builder and driver on the West Coast US. Dave Rebello who built the 235hp stroked forged crank, Z22 head L22 engine is also a legend. With bolt on fender flares and Porche details Dan's PL510 is a clean modern restoration-mod. I know and respect Troy and Dave, (they've both worked on my 510) but Tanto was not built at nearly as higher a standard as this impeccably done SSS Bluebird that is as a "Thai Period Correct" resto-mod. Personally, I'm not impressed by perfection. If you can't drive it the way it was built, you diminish the car. I have great respect for any builder who will hand the keys to someone and let them experience it.

[@AdamEwart]

@@Datsun510zen Certainly was not knocking the build itself...as I said, a lovely example, and absolutely something to be proud of. But claiming it to be the among the best in the world is simply misleading, and saying "the best Thai period correct" is like me saying the socks I'm wearing are the best white socks with blue branding on my feet at the moment. It's kind of irrelevant. You're absolutely right that it's all very subjective and open to personal opinion, but there are far too many people claiming themselves or something else to be amongst the very best of something, when it's clearly not the case. For what it's worth, the 510 I have sitting on stands in my garage awaiting it's turn for a rebuild is by far and away the very best of its kind ever in existence...or it will be, once I get it started!! 😉😉

[@Datsun510zen]

​@@AdamEwart I understand your point about hyperbole, but it appears you missed the standard being judged is, in your words the "white socks with blue branding", and not a pair of powder puff silk stockings. A period correct resto-mod i510 s "of the era 1970s". The same mods I was doing to my 510s at that time. No one was using bolt on flares, Z22 engines with cross flow heads or custom blending powder coats back then because it didn't exist. The L20b and Willwood brake swops did. My point was that your implied ignorance of the film maker was IMO totally uncalled for. In fact, making an apples to oranges compairison to the US spec contemporary free form Tanto build with hood mirrors, a Z22 engine, and design cues from a Porsche RSR is arbitrary, hyperbolic, and misleading. The SSS Bluebird had very specific factory mods, and this builder stayed true to that within specific upgrades available in it's era. Great to hear you're building one of your own! DO you have a build thread for your car? If not check out ratsun.net. Lots of Ausies there. My Current 510 was originally built by Troy Ermish in 2007 and my brother and I have been improving and dialing it in for 12 years will the clear mandate that it will never be complete, just maximum fun to drive. It's the best in the world according to no one's standard but mine. The true mark of success IMHO is that it's driven and raced the way it was built on a regular basis. Despite it's age, it's still very competitive in SCCA B Sedan Street Modified class. This review vid is from 5 years ago and it's come a long way since. Now has 375whp on a 2nd gen GT-X 2867R, and rack & pinion steering from an MR2. I know, I need to do an update. Cheers and good luck with your car. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYvXoWmGnqufiqs