Have you ever ever headed out to purchase the automobile you all the time needed, solely to return residence with one thing else? Lasse Korpela from Seinäjoki, Finland has.

Lasse was about to buy his subsequent venture automobile, a Datsun 160J (710), when he spied a 1969 Datsun 1600 (510) with 66,000 authentic kilometres on the clock. Regardless of having been parked up for a very long time, the 510 sedan was in good condition. It was in authentic situation and nonetheless even had plastic wrap on the door panels. A fast repair would get it up and working, however Lasse had different concepts. A deal was made and he bought began.

I’m all the time up for shakotan type construct, however they’re hardly ever seen right here in Scandinavia. So after I do come throughout one I need to know extra, and Lasse was completely happy to indicate me round his construct whereas it was on show on the latest Custom Motor Show (AKA Elmia) in Sweden.

One might argue that the time period shakotan means loopy fender flares, insane destructive camber and an uncovered oil cooler hanging off the entrance of the automobile. Whereas these form of modifications are according to the enduring Japanese modifying type popularised within the Nineteen Eighties, shakotan vehicles are available in many flavours. Lasso has taken an ultra-clean method along with his 510.

However not solely is the Datsun’s exterior clear, the end is beautiful. Each panel was perfected earlier than being repainted in Mercedes-Benz Rubinrot Crimson. The entrance and rear bumpers, chrome trims, door handles and symbols are all model new elements. The identical goes for the fender mirrors, which Lasse bought from Nissan in Japan.

What couldn’t be purchased new, Lasse had custom-made for the 510 – the door hinges and lamp bezels being two of these things. It actually does appear like the automobile rolled off the manufacturing line simply a few days in the past.

Lasse is a person of tradition and by no means had any ideas of altering the Datsun’s exterior traces, nor was he curious about making any massive modifications to the chassis. He did, nevertheless, need the automobile to trip low. HSD Monopro coilovers designed for the Nissan RPS13 200SX have been customised to suit the 510, with Volkswagen Golf higher spring plates added within the rear.

Beneath the Datsun, each part was both sandblasted and powder-coated or zinc-plated. Amongst different upgrades, Techno Toy Tuning adjustable billet tie-rods function in entrance and polyurethane bushes now change the originals all through.

For wheels, Lasse has gone with a JDM old skool favorite – SSR Longchamp XR4s. You possibly can argue that positively 13s or perhaps 14-inch wheels could be extra in line with the automobile’s age, however the 15s which can be mounted up on every nook look very good.

When Lasse bought the wheels they have been 2-piece and measured 15×6.5-inch; now they’re 3-piece with {custom} outer lips, lathed centres and custom-made ‘XR4S’ centre caps. The completed specs are a purposeful 15×8-inch for the entrance and 15×8.5-inch out again.

The upside of larger wheels is greater brakes, and the Datsun now stops quite a bit higher than it initially did with Wilwood Dynalite 4-pot callipers and 273mm Wilwood floating discs on the entrance, and a P11 Nissan Primera GT disc setup on the rear.

Inside the Datsun, Lasse has stored issues clear and easy, beginning with a {custom} stainless-steel roll cage that took him 25 hours to shine as much as its mirror shine. The unique seats have been retrimmed in a manufacturing unit type and fitted with TAKATA Racing harness belts, and the centre console, which was badly broken, was repaired and painted it to match the remainder of the inside. The steering wheel is full carbon fiber, whereas the gearbox shifter encompass is a home made piece, knitted in a Marimekko type by Lasse’s spouse.

Whereas a number of fashionable facilities have discovered their means into the construct, below the hood the 510’s authentic 1.6L engine stays, albeit in larger spec and searching merely beautiful within the detailed bay.

You’d half anticipate to see an SR20DET mounted up entrance, however Lasse by no means had efficiency intentions for the Datsun. Nevertheless, with the assistance of some upgrades –  a ported A87 cylinder head with a {custom} Koneistus Perälä cam, and an aluminium consumption manifold working twin FAJS 45mm carburettors and Matalamäki Racing velocity stacks – it will get alongside properly with round 150hp.

The unique 4-speed guide gearbox stays too, however now runs out to a an R160 differential and VLD shafts from a Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

I must make particular point out of the strut bar, which Lasse designed himself and mounted as much as RPS13 finish plates.

Lasse’s 510 is improbable in each means, and a terrific instance of not needing to go loopy when wanting to construct one thing that stands out – which the Datsun most positively did at Elmia this 12 months.

Not one to take a seat idle for lengthy although, Lasse already has one other venture on the go, this time based mostly on an R32 Nissan Skyline. Suppose real Bee*R physique equipment and a stroked SR20DET. That feels like one other Speedhunters highlight within the making…

Alen Haseta
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