Yesterday you all gave Perry a lot of excellent advice about buying a car via the internet. Today, the question is about selling a car. Shirley-Ann is my sister-in-law’s neighbor in San Mateo, CA, and she’s had this ’73 Datsun 510 for 25 years; it was her first car. She drove it for 18 years, then garaged it. It was running when it went into the garage. Now she’s ready to part with it. What’s the best way to determine its value, and to get that? Should she get it running first? Or is someone who’s looking for a classic 510 not going to care, as they’re likely to…not leave it stock anyway. Maybe Perry wants it? That way we could solve both questions in one stroke.
One caveat: this is an automatic, which will limit its appeal somewhat, depending on what someone has in mind for it. If it’s a major performance upgrade, it’s probably not a big deal as a five speed will undoubtedly be part of the equation.
Getting it running is probably not a big deal; even a neighbor offered to help her do that. My recommendation is to take the neighbor up on his offer, as it’s undoubtedly going to be somewhat more attractive initially as a running car. Here’s her questions in her own words:
Hello Paul —I’ve been trying to find comparable value, but there don’t seem to be very many for sale for this year (1973, the last year this model was made). The range goes from $5,000 (not running) to $18,000 (running) to $45,000 (really souped up)! Since there are so few for sale, and since the car is very popular with collectors, I think it could be worth quite a bit to a collector or to someone who wants a race car. At least that’s what I’m hoping!I guess I’d be interested in what your readers think about what it might be worth as is — and whether to get the car running. It was running when I drove it into the garage about 25 years ago! It’s an automatic, by the way.The mechanics where I’ve been going for years sell cars on the side for 20 percent. Would it be worth it for them to get it running?My dad bought the car for me when I graduated from college, paying about $2,300 for it. (The sticker price was $2,575. I still have the original.) I drove it happily for 18 years. My mother wanted to have the car when I got a new one, but then she became too nervous to drive. So LSNOOPO sat in the garage.(The license plate is LSNOOPO, because I was a fan of Snoopy when the personalized plates became available.)It would be interesting to hear what Datsun aficionados think about the car! I love this car and want it to go to a good home.Thank you for your help, Paul!
What a wonderful little car! Great color, two door, family owned.
My advise? Spend a little and get it running and sounding good, if that’s within her budget. Maybe even have the dents fixed with paintless repair. Don’t have it painted, please!
This seems very collectible to me so some buyers will see past its non-running status, but a running engine is more of a known quantity.
This thing begs for a follow up post.
What a jewel. I had a ’71 SSS coupe with a 4 speed, vinyl top and factory a/c.
Sad day when I traded it and a Maverick (POS) in on a brand new Mazda GLC that didn’t stall in the middle of intersections on my wife with our baby inside… Datsun was a econo racer, great on turns and quick off the line. Finding one so pristine is a treat. 2.0 liter and a five speed along with some suspension work would make it a dream. Put it on ebay and see what the market dictates.
Have a paintless dent repair guy take out the dent in the right front fender and all of the dings. Clay and polish the car by hand. If it’s still original paint play that up in the ad. Play up “5-speed is an easy swap”. Take loads of pics from under the car. If it looks really good do a light steam cleaning first. Then more pics of the interior, engine compartment and trunk. Don’t use any shiny stuff in detailing the engine or interior. Although they speak for themselves never hurts to mention the obvious in this case the blue plates, that ’73 was the last year and that it’s a hard to find, very original 2-door. Place ads on CL and eBay.
I wanna say it’s worth maybe $5K to the right buyer, maybe more if it cleans up really well?
If I came upon something like this for an attractive price, I’d be tempted to buy it only if it were running. And believe me, a running Datsun 510 would tempt me.
ps. I’d keep it stock. Totally.
Nice car! Jim, that would make a good fly and drive road trip with your sons, or some of your CC buddies 🙂
My advice for Shirley-Ann would be to get it running, even if badly. If it can stagger on and off of a trailer that would help with selling it online since the price to transport a non-runner is higher.
What a little gem, especially if it can be put into running order. And I agree with Chuck and calibrick — just get it running, clean it up in a sympathetic way to maintain it’s originality, and it will find a happy owner. Around the San Francisco Bay Area, I regularly see nice clean older oiriginal cars like this being lovingly cared for by their owners. (I happen to own two mostly original cars — a ’68 Cougar and a ’73 Marquis Brougham, so am always appreciative of others who keep them as original as possible.)
As is often said, they are only original once!
Hagerty valuation is $2,000 in Fair condition and $4,700 in Good condition. An excellent car averages $8,700.
https://www.hagerty.com/apps/valuationtools/1973-Datsun-510
Round up for California car; round down for Automatic.
FWIW, I was always told never to buy a car that isn’t running because you can’t guess what’s wrong with an engine that isn’t running – is it bad plug wires or bad rods?
Additionally you can’t test the condition of any of the car’s other systems – brakes, cooling, fuel lines and tank, transmission- either.
I would think that the cost to get it (just) running would be lower than the increase in value obtained by doing so. I wouldn’t would go beyond basics – fresh fluids, plugs, points, and wires, hoses (except for possibly pulling the gas tank and having it flushed and coated).
A nice vacuuming, a bit of Frebreeze, and some cleaner-wax are always a plus on any car. Then I’d probably try Bring-A-Trailer to seek if they’ll let her post the car for sale there. It’ll draw the biggest and most informed enthusiast audience I think.
FWIW
Curious, I just sold my 404 Peugeot after 22 years of ownership and the brakes need fixin’
Now this is a Hydrovac model so it is quite an expensive fix.
The car runs smooth, looks good no corrosion at all and the upholstery is in good nick.
I sold it for approx 2/3 of the price when it is fixed and with a valid MOT.
To me it is more important the car goes to an owner who will appreciate an original paint not tampered nor welded 404 Pug that does not end up with an LPG a tank so some hipster can look cool while kiling it softly driving on salty winter roads……..
Everyone sounds like they’re thinking exactly what I am. It’s in great shape, was obviously lovingly cared for while it was in use, and is still with its original owner, who’s got documentation of same. It’ll shine up easily and the visible body damage is negligible, even without repair. If it could inexpensively be brought up to running condition it’s such a nice honest collectible that it’d surely fetch a good fair price from the right buyer. Not to anthropomorphize, but I hate to see a good honest well cared for old car with some soul left in it fall prey to someone who can’t appreciate it for just what it is. There are plenty of folks out there with disposable funds who’d give this little car plenty of love just for the time capsule that it is.
Having self sold several “normal” and curbside classic type cars, I always put some elbow grease into the vehicles. The difference is, the seller might be an older lady and I was a teen and 20 something male with some DIY skills. Killing a hot Saturday getting the car ready was always worth my while.
Making sure it is washed, vacuumed and cleaned, even under the hood and in the trunk is the minimum. She seems to have a good start on that.
Whatever advertising medium is used, lots of quality pictures are important. The photos should be in as attractive an area as possible, a weedy driveway and trash in the background is not helpful. There seems to be a good start on this as well. A reasonable narrative will also do wonders. Assuming you did not edit her note, her writing skills are up to par for the job. At least the ad won’t say “Runned when parkd.” With enough information, the commentariat here could probably write a terrific ad for her.
If she has a trusted and reasonable cost mechanic, looking into what it would take to get it running would be worthwhile. If it’s an oil change, radiator flush, fresh gas, a battery and maybe something minor and simple, the running car will get rid of a lot of mystery for the buyer. If it is not cost effective to fix it, the seller will at least have a basic assessment she can give the buyer.
I have no idea what the commission is on a typical consignment sale, but 20% seems reasonable, especially considering the likely value of the car. The seller has overhead and he may have to go out of his way doing who knows what – late meeting with a buyer, daily airing up her 20 year old tires, etc. The seller also has to assess her concerns with who may come to her door when considering help to sell it.
Now, if Perry were to buy it, that would solve several things, but I’m afraid it would rust in 10 minutes in southern Indiana if it were a daily driver.
Cute little car. Why didn’t GM do up something like this back in ’73 for the U.S. market? It seems so obvious now.
GM was too busy with Vega!
Mail it out here, rare here two door model complete and unmodified 50k NZ pesos quite easily.
First it was the MR2 yesterday, and now this 510, both are an easy drive from my home here in the Bay Area. I really want both of them, but the time isn’t right for even one of these. I hope someone preserves both; they’re the kind of cars I like to see at the Japanese Classic Car Show. I remember a kid near my parents house had a 510 like this, really original, straight, and clean; the genius Sawzall’d the top off one day.
She could use BaT auctions- the cars there bring well over market value, and they’ve sold a few 510s. Original ownership, blue plates, and window sticker should help the value.
Agreed, a BaT auction would be the way to maximize value with a bit of promotion on top to advertise it, eg via forums or posts on sites such as this.
Or the quick way would be to just put a $5k price on it and stand back…
I dunno, a lifelong Bay Area 510 sedan with an automatic that had been repainted had a high bid of $8k, and that wasn’t original owner. If she could get it running, she could get well over $8k.
Another vote for BaT auction. They definitely have the audience for this kind of car. Get it running and pay for a good detail and it should bring market value and then some over there.
Yeah, a well modified 510 sold for $45k over there!
Good call. This is a clearly a good candidate.
I think the car would be worth more if she got it running, but she should get well over $5k of she sells it there, and the seller’s fees aren’t bad compared to the extra money cars on BaT bring.
Came here to say just that. I forsee this car doing well on BaT, automatic be damned. Though admittedly, I think having it checked out to find out why it’s not running would be a great idea.
Yeah, it would. If the car were running, it would bring well over $5k.
Agree that it seems an ideal candidate for BaT. Getting it running would help though, so another vote for that–if it ran into the garage, even though that was 25 years ago, I doubt anything catastrophic happened while in static storage. New belts, hoses, points, plugs, battery, fluid, and maybe clean out the gas tank. None of those should be too pricey. As suggested, paintless dent repair is a great idea too, at least for that front fender.
And what a time capsule! The way I read the note she’s owned the car since new–driven from 1973 to 1991, then stored from 1991 to the present day. Covered, indoor storage for that amount of time is *such* a rarity. Seems like she should definitely get good money for this, a desirable car in completely original stored condition. I just hope it goes to someone who will care for/drive it as-is rather than ending up the base for a racer or a custom.
She’ll have many more interested buyers if it runs.
So…Get it running. I would have no reason not to believe that LSNOOPO was running when she parked it. Chances are the gasoline has turned to goo and gum and a good carburetor cleanout is what it needs.
The only thing I could add to the discussion is that there is a company in Los Angeles that sells lots of bmw 2002’s called http://www.2002ad.com and 510’s are very popular with 2002 folks. I don’t know if they do consignment or how it works but it could be worth an inquiry!
To add to the talk of cleaning it up – TAKE OFF THE SEAT COVERS for the interior photographs. If the seats are good, potential buyers will see them; if not, it’s about honesty and full disclosure.
What a nice looking little car! I would think it’s worth more running than not. If I was buying it in person first thing I’d be doing in getting down on my hands and knees to look at the floorpan/undercarriage – a shiny body can hide a lot of rot underneath and I’ve been taken by that more than once.
So, get it running, take lots of good pics of the underside (hopefully it’s in good shape) and clean up that interior. Good luck!
If this is a rust free car, running or not, it is worth way way more than $5,000! If it were my car, I would as mentioned above, remove the dents, clean it up, and if it is possible to get it started without taking apart the engine, I would ask a “crazy” price. Nothing to lose as where you find an unmolested 510? Definitely start between 15-20K and see the reaction. This is a very desirable and sought after car!They are not around. Don’t give this gem away!!!!
Since this is an original Bay Area car, I can’t imagine there being any significant rust. This area is not near the ocean, and has a very mild climate.
This car would easily fetch $5000 running or not.
Here is the problem. I could probably make it run. Or pretty much any person reading this here. But the person who owns the car is far away from us, and any repair is going to cost her big.
I would put it on eBay as is where is.
I think the $5,000 valuation is contingent on being marketed far from California. In the land where non-rusty old cars are the norm, a non-running car with cosmetic issues and an automatic isn’t as exciting as it might be places where most Datsuns dissolved decades ago.
Nada puts the value at $2,025 for low retail value. I would put it less than that due to the fact the car needs some work. There is a dent in the fender. The bottom rear of the car has a tear in the metal and what looks like a little rust. The rear bumper looks like it is a little bent. Was the car involved in a rear end collision? It also does not run. My guess would be $1000-$1500 in current condition. Get it running and you can get closer to $2000.
http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1973/Nissan-Datsun/510/4-Door-Station-Wagon/Values
I messed up on the model. Turns out the 2 door is more valuable. Low Retail is $2,575. Average is worth $5,675. High Retail Value is $8,750. This car would be below Low retail because it is not in “mechanically functional condition” so I would guess about $2000 in current condition. Definitely worth it to try and get it running.
http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1973/Nissan-Datsun/510/2-Door-Sedan/Values
And the other value guides should come in around the same value. But at the moment I would say it’s worth around $3,000.
Dents or no dents, running or not. I would snap this up in a heartbeat if it were closer. Two door 510s are very desireable. Most 2drs have been beaten up, hacked up or thrashed to death. Browse around other evilbay ads and see what others in the same or similar condition have sold for and post it on an enthusiast site such as the Realm. http://www.the510realm.com. Maybe even post a need help getting it to run and someone local may offer to come over and assist/look it over too. Another forum member’s opinion of condition can be invaluable in the sale on the same site. Just be honest about what your plans are from the start. Perhaps a “Hey I’m thinking of selling my 2dr 510 and would like to get it running first. Is there anyone in the _____ area that can help me out?” Any old school car guy who knows what a distributer and a carburator are can have one up and running in very short order just as long as the motor is not siezed. Maybe just post it on evilbay and someone is bound to find it and cross post it in the sticky thread for interesting ebay finds.
I got a free 510 once by betting the guy driving the tow vehicle the amount I paid for the car that I could drive it around the block in 15 min or less.
I would love to appraise this 510.
It should be left stock and I would say putting it up for sale at $5,000 is reasonable as it is a one-owner car in very decent condition. It’s unfortunate there’s an automatic tranny behind the engine, but a minor issue in this day and age. It is a very desirable model and will sell certainly. No need to bother taking it to an auction. Just get it running.
Sweet .
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I can’t imagine it being worth $5k but I know they’re impossibly scarce these days .
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Agreed , it should be kept original , down to the slushbox ~ too many got Hot Rodded , that’s why there are so few left .
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-Nate
It’s only desirable if it’s modified (at least converted to stick). The only reason this car didn’t come from the factory with alloys is cost. Tasteful mechanical upgrades would be perfect for it.
I’d guess that in 1973 95% of the cars sold in North America didn’t come with alloys. It wasn’t just cost…
My suggestion would be for her to at least arrange to have it checked out by a mechanic to determine WHY it’s not running. As others have said, its potential value is going to be meaningfully higher if it’s at least passably drivable, and even if it’s not, it would be a big help to know what its major mechanical issues may be. (Putting it up on a hoist would also be an opportunity to take pictures of the undercarriage and suspension.)
If the problem is something she can afford to fix without a huge investment (a new fuel pump and a fresh set of plugs/plug wires, say), it strikes me as worth doing insofar as she would likely get her money back in selling it. If not, it will at least help negotiations with prospective buyers. If the engine is shot — seized rod or something like that — it might still be worth spending a little money on getting the dents out and getting the car polished up nicely. “Solid body, original paint, needs new engine” is probably still a salable proposition in this case.
My question in buying a car like this would be knowing what I’m in for; even if I were planning on sticking some other engine in it, it’d be nice to not also have to budget for minor bodywork.
My brother-in-law had a beige 510 in college. To this day, he regrets selling the car after graduation.
This would be a great find for someone with who could do the work (running or not running).
I think some of these value estimates are pessimistic; I suspect it could go for quite a bit, watching what the asking prices are for ones I’ve seen on-line.
Whoever gets it, do NOT leave this car stock, where the performance envelope isn’t really all that hot. I had one for 3-1/2 years and by the time I was done, about the only stock parts remaining were the headliner and dome light. No matter what I changed, the car would always run a little harder – at the end, the car was a Beast.
Even my then-girlfriend, now my wife of 33 years, still talks fondly about that car.
While I understand what you say, since I did race these at SCCA events in the early 70’s, I would much rather see this car stay stock. Too many have been bastardized and therefore leaving precious few originals. Would rank right up there with stealing the 440 out of New Yorkers to put in B bodies. Sometimes one needs to leave well enough alone.
To me it’s a 2k car at best. The rear bodypanel is creased and torn, along with the rear bumper and the dented right fender, and of course the automatic. The seat covers would lead me to believe the interior may be rough as well. Last year I picked up a very original ’87 German built Jetta GL 5 speed 4 door for $700. The body is straight and the original paint and interior is good, no rips in the seats or cracks in the dash. Just little scratches and dings from parking lots. Needed rear brakes, cylinders and bearings, along with a drive axle, wishbone and 2 tires. 267k miles, but all the repair receipts (and invoice) from new up to 2012 from the original owner were in the trunk. Needed fuel pump relay to start, seller reduced price from $950 to $700 because of this, It took 2 minutes to get it going with the spare relay I brought with me.
I have $1000 in it total including purchase price, been driving it for a year with no problems. It’s well equipped with PS/AC and cruise. AC is inop, haven’t tried to recharge. Car looks like its about 5 years old, not 30. (Built Sept ’86). But rust free 2 door 510’s are a rare bird, so it may be worth more to the right person. It is a great find and deserves to be saved.
Ultimately the market determines where the price goes. Value guides are just that and when I appraise a vehicle I will use up to four guides.
You could also say “willing seller, willing buyer.” Putting the 510 for sale might lead to a number of interested buyers. No doubt this car will need some attention and parts could be a challenge to hunt down or not. Perhaps easier down to find in the US. I would say keep it stock as it will draw more people with smiles at a car show than a modified 510.
The rear license plate surround from the dealer: “Camino Datsun Sunnyvale”. WOW! That sure takes me back; 1973 was the year I bought my Datsun 1200 from them, and it came with the same license plate surrounds. This 510 is almost exactly the car I wanted but could not afford. I also hope this 510 finds a good home, preferably with someone who will love it for what it is and not mod it into something else.
These cars are highly sought after by people who want to re-create trans-am racers. I see no attraction in stock form but that’s me. If I were you I wouldn’t do a thing and sell as is. The next owner will probably use it as a basis for a racer. Price, @ $2500. maybe more. Try eBay.
Thank you to everyone for such good and valuable advice! It is so nice to hear from so many people who realize that this car is special. I really hope whoever buys it will love it like I do! I’ll report back after I get the car checked out by a mechanic.
BaT car for sure, get it running and detail it. Since it’s a CA car from new, I’m assuming she has kept LSNOOPO on non-op status? If not, back CA DMV fees will be a real issue for an in-state buyer. There is also a great forum for 510 enthusiasts,The510Realm.com She could post it there/ask for advice. I personally think this “dime”, or “Poor man’s BMW” is worth 4-8K easily. GLWS!
Just found the original sticker price for the car, $2,851.40. This included an AM radio for $69.95 and “stripes” for $29.95! I have not kept the car in non-op status, so will be visiting the DMV. Thanks for the information. I finally found the title, after a long search.
Nice car good luck with the sale. Be sure to get a cash buyer that pays on the spot. I think 4-6k for a non running clean 510 is fair/avg. Assume the motor needs a total rebuild sitting around for so many years. The tranny may also be another issue.
BTW You may get a buyer that pays more and you may also get the thief that will just steal it from you.
I just purchased a 1971 Datsun 510 2door is a little better condition than yours,engine and transmission is running good stock l16 engine but mine is a more desirable 4speed stick ..my paint is about the same as yours with a few dings and dents
I paid 5000 cash for it in Southern California
I got a good deal
I think your car is worth 3000-5000
in not running condition
6000-7000 in running condition
If anyone thought different
Tell them to bring the cash ?