The Nissan Bluebird is a Little Beast
Вставка
- Опубліковано 3 жов 2024
- Saying that a car is able to get under one’s skin sounds like an exaggeration, but Nissan and Datsun enthusiast Troy Ermish has more than a little appreciation for the 510. Named different things depending on where it was sold, the Datsun 510 and Nissan Bluebird was one of the most revolutionary cars to come from Japan.
It was very well built, sporty-and quite quick when taken racing. For Ermish, his love for the model comes down to one similarity between him and his cars: they’re tough.
“I identify with a 510 because it’s a workhorse, and I never give up, I work hard…I think the 510 can be said to be the exactly the same. It’s very well-engineered, and it never gives up.”
His attraction to the vehicle started in the late ’80s, and blossomed from there-Ermish says he stopped keeping track of how many 510s have passed through his shop once the number got above about 225. His Bluebird Coupe, meanwhile, is a rare species in the United States, with only about thirty known cars in this country.
“I began racing Datsuns in 1989…three years after I started racing, I loaded everything I had up and went to Arizona for the first pro race I was going to do with SCCA,” he says. “We did really well, we sat on pole, broke the track record, won, and made just enough money to get back home!”
Now, he enjoys restoring cars to their owner’s specifications, for two reasons. The first? To earn some money to keep racing his cars, and the second is to bring the car back to working condition, and then helping its owner get the best out of it during future race weekends.
“Pretty much everything I’ve been able to obtain emotionally and financially are really based on the opportunity that the 510 presented itself to me, and I took advantage of it,” Ermish says.
“I could have never imagined 25 years ago that I’d be able to be sitting in my own shop, with a line of people waiting for me to work on their stuff.”
More films, articles, and photos: www.petrolicio...
Petrolicious Membership: sign up for the new Petrolicious Membership program at www.petrolicio...
Like us on Facebook: / petrolicious
Follow us on Instagram: / petrolicious
Sell or bid on your next collector car at sothebysmotors...
Visit the original luxury and collector car marketplace www.dupontregi...
Drive Tastefully® - Авто та транспорт
I have been so touched to see now that some people show respect to Japanese classic cars. When I was 19, late 80s, my hometown in Japan I bought my first car a 1970 Datsun 510 1600SSS.
Back then only few enthusiasts in the U.S. into those neo classic Japanese cars. Never thought 510 SSS coupe would make it to the U.S. and be loved this much.
Keep a good work and thanks so much for sharing your passion for Datsun.
The Bluebirds are available in Japan but the good ones are worth more here than in the US. Like the Hakosuka, these are the nostalgia cars that the 65 year olds want now so that they can relive their youth.
PacificCoastAuto Australia, they are far better maintained by the Australians, so if you can swing the cost to import an Aussie one, go for one there over Japan. The purchase cost alone is low enough to be worth the time.
Joe11Blue i imported from US and Japan and AUS. The clean classic cars in JPN it more expensive than AUS and the Hako sold in jpn about 25k~30k usd
I love those retro japanese cars, especially from these years since I grew up back then and for that reason feel familiar with the design of them. 240Z, KE70, AE86 and those ones are great.
I love these cars, and it's so rare to see them without roll cages
Troy is the man. I had a few motors that he built. I miss my 510.
That missing headlight is somehow very appealing...
Mine had an aircraft landing light in that position. Miss my lil' ripper.
The 510 was my first car after I got my driving license at 17 yrs old! Mine (in Malaysia) was a 1400cc version (non SSS), 4 door saloon, steering shift, registered in 1968 (same age as me). Later converted to the 1600cc engine and floor shift. Was sold around 1995 when I started work in another city. Still miss it...
The first car I bought for myself was a Datto 1600. back in 84..I still drive It. I bought a second one a year or so later. They have both been around the clock about 5 times in the 35 years that I have owned them. I would not trade them for anything. Nice to see stock engines under the hood. Mine are both going strong with the original engines.
This man is living the dream... expressing his passion for the 510 through his work and craftsmanship. Yet again, another great vid petrolicious! Always enjoy the weeks post.
Having Troy help me build a 510 has been on my bucket list for 20 years and I love seeing him get this attention. #GreatGuy
awesome ! I love the little 510
I had a 68 4-door back in like 1988 and my parents took my down to Tijuana (I live in San Diego) and they got the upholstery done on my two bucket seats and the rear seat, black vinyl with black crushed velour...it came out so nice. My dad added a new black carpet kit. I threw in a newly rebuilt L20 into it...man that little car was fast! Had a set of 4 brand new Yokohamas tires on it and I tinted the windows Limousine black! HA HA HA! that car was so much fun. There were about 4 other friends in my neighborhood who also had (somewhat) fixed up 510's and we got compliments everywhere we went....even though some of us could have used a paint job as well. :) I rolled around with my car primered all gray, what can I say it was still a work in progress. K Wantanabe in San Diego was the spot to go for Datsuns, That shop was frequented all the darn time. good memories, great little video.
pure respect to this man, i realy love the car and your work
not putting ka's or sr's is really admirable
I'm wearing my Troy Ermish 510 shirt right now! Someday, I will own a 510. Someday....
I'm blaming this guy for making 510 rare and expensive...
ok
bluebirds and 510 are different yet similar cars. the rear window on a bluebird hardtop is a lot more slanted than a 510. which changes many aspects of the car
chunky soup fuck this guy
Miatas will probably be rare and expensive some day. Just how it goes.
I think you can actually blame Jay Leno, he literally told everyone that they should buy them now. People like him and Doug DeMuro are like the Warren Buffets of car stock values.
takes me back.... i shed a tear but loved my time with my 510's
I've watched this many times and I do love the grind you can't tell the young generation nothing they have to find it in a world of instant everything
Finally another Japanese video!!!!
invinciblejets Dat moon, dat sun
Jieuh *that
lam neth duhh...
This guy has all the 510's I can't find lol
My friend had one here in Hawaii back in 1979. It was right hand drive he brought with him when they were restationed from a base in Japan to Hawaii
I have lots of respect for people whom fall in love with a specific type of cars . Don't matter what it is but enjoy just wrenching and making the cars what they are. This is a perfect example on what a true car lover is. Datsun's are some of the coolest imports out there. Love the type of work you've accomplished. If I ever come across one one I will look u up...hope one day you can come out on Jay Lenos garage. This is exactly what Jay looks for and has respect for. True car guys...
Couple of years ago I did a road rally through Europe in a friend's 1977 Celica GT ST-28, this video made me remember why I always regretted not buying the car from him when I had the opportunity... Awesome cars, one day when I have the space for it, I hope to be able to restore a Datsun or other japanese 70's car, I just love them. Great video as always!
Wow this channel got popular fast! I subbed when there was like 20k subs. Goes to show what a little production value can do for you!
They deserve way more though
my father now has 2 cars...1 datsun sss1300cc & datsun sss 1600cc..still alive this legend retro mechine
This guy is an absolute inspiration. A nice, swift kick in my ass to get me going. Thanks, Petrolicious!
Worked on Datsuns in the mid 70's to early 80's in the UK , was a panel beater for over 30 years .
Glad you're living your dream friend. Hard works does pay off. Now he's sitting on a gold mine as early Japanese cars are taking off in popularity, provenance and value.
Amazing! When I was a kid I tought the Bluebird SSS coupe had a real cool tale light and it still is indeed.
In Aussie, I used to own a '68 Datsun 1600, fitted an180B engine, 260Z 5 speed, 240K diff, 240K front struts and brakes. All bolted in , no cutting or welding. Tailshaft shortened though. Miss it.
I woke up with the right hump this morning, but that's just made me feel a WHOLE of a lot better.
That old barn is off schulte road in Tracy CA I believe, I took pictures of my old Volkswagen van over there. How cool!
Nice 2 see this DATSUN SSS! My Dad had a DATSUN 1800SSS Coupe! Loved that car!
Awesome vid brings back the 80's when So Cal had small unique car clubs 3 of my friends owned 510's. I was a MKI Capri guy with the more torque 2600 V6 we had so much fun driving. I wish I could find a Capri again without the high prices they fetch today Thank you for the video I remember that exhaust note 510 had
I Love legitimate car nerds who live and breathe their passions. Anyone who owned 200+ of the same car qualifies as an expert in my mind. Great car.
Amazing cars man, i grew up in ireland with bluebirds everywhere , my old man worked as an apprentice in Nissan Dublin - 1968>73, he worked building Z's, bluebirds , violets, for the european market. The factory only closed around 4-5 years ago , great cars man :) Love Datsuns
Probably one of the best platforms for the year. Gotta love em!
I admire passion guy.Good work in restoring them!MUCH APPRECIATION!
UGGHHH SOO CLEAN!!!!! I have always really liked how those 510's look!
Great video, the 510 brings back many memories, my first family car a 1972 510 wagon with four spoke libra's blacked out on the inside with sticky Goodyear tires and a straight pipe with a 19 inch glass pack and megaphone tip, Boy did it sound good. I got to see the BRE Datsun at Riverside raceway in 71-72, I'd love to drive one now, I have a 2014 Fiesta ST and it's the most fun I've ever had driving the The power to weight ratio oh and balance is insane.
Found this guy's automotive story more interesting than the car itself. Nice one.
The car is really a unique gem. I have never seen one of these where I live.
This channel is great, all there videos get barely any dislikes for a reason. Keep up the good work.
LA had the best weather in the world! There is no better place to collect and own classic cars.
This guys is the genuine article. Self-made and kicking ass.
long ago troy helped me with my 2door 5 lug conversion. i miss that car. troy is the biggest 510 fan on earth, i really like the bluebird, one of those unnatainable cars for me.
Yet another great story from Petrolicious : ) Kudos to Troy and thanks again to the crew of Petrolicious !
WOW...so many 510 in one lot. Hope I can get one, one day in wagon form. Good luck, Troy!
I remember seeing the 510 (along with cars like the BMW 2002) kick ass at SCCA races in the early 1980's at Summit Point Raceway.
Cool looking old car. Like the placing of the mirrors.
This is such a cool car, the Bluebird SSS goons are cool too.
I want a 510 so bad, they're such beautiful cars.
Is L.A. the car enthusiast's dreamland? Half the people featured in petrolicious videos live there :)
JippaLippa L.A. is a serious car town, but Troy Ermish is out in the grassland about an hour east of San Francisco, in the little town of Tracey California. Here is his website: www.ermish-racing.com/
JippaLippa The auto enthusiast and racing community in California is unmatched. Mix money, a melting pot of cultures and a year round racing season and you end up with great car culture.
Well California in general has great car culture, but if you want to do an engine swap and don't have tons of money you're usually screwed because of CARB regulations. That is one area where CARB really screws over car enthusiasts. Usually people want more efficient, newer engines in a classic, but because of ECU requirements must use an aftermarket ECU. Well according to CARB regulations that's illegal.
James Elterman good local roads
n9athan come to missouri, we love cars !! no left-coast regs here !!
THX TROY!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE YOUR COILOVERS!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!
The 510 is my dream car, and wish to build one myself when I get the money to do so.
When Chinese auto industry matures to the point where they're ready to flood the US market with their imports, they should start with copies of classics like these, heh! How great would that be --- chicom copies of 510, 240z, Toyota Celica A20/A30, etc
Considering the build quality there, no thanks. I'll stick with the original.
Chinese focus on quantity not on quality.
@M.I. FadhilL: The missing head light has a function! I did not grasp this at first. The cold air flowing through that headlight port, on the left, is pointed straight at that row of individual throttle bodies. Troy has probably put a dual beam headlight in the adjacent socket in order to be road-legal with both high and low beams on both sides.
Such an awesome video and story 510's are BADASS!!!
Love these little cars
I think the Datsun 1600 and 2000 were the first sports cars that were popular. Bob Bondurant used them at his driving school. Cute little car that sort of had an square English look.
Love me some datsun roadster
My dad had a 510 (he's a bit confused if it was a 210 or a 510) that had over 500,000 miles! Great Car!
What a great video!!! Congratulations on all of your success!
God, I would love the opportunity to own a 510, true dream car!
may his beautiful datsun live forever!
Cool man, I get it, terrific car's, there super popular down here in new Zealand as well (RHD) as well.
I bought a 1968 bluebird ,1200 cc and 4speed, from the original elderly lady owner, soon had a 2.0 and 5 speed lol
What a cool guy. And what a cool car! I love racing the 910SSS in gt6...
Love your passion for Datsuns!
DAMN we have a lot of older Japenese cars here in Aus but I've never seen one of these this is special
I would love to have just one. I had one years ago and it was taken by a thief. It was a baby blue 70. In the Midwest they are a unicorn for sure.
Nice Bluebird . Add this one to your story ..This is now 1986 i'm on the California highway driving my Honda Civic one a'clock in the morning doing 110 mpr and i can c this car coming from behind and zooming bye me and i try to push the gas pedal ,but can not keep up with it lol All i can remember is the nice look and the cool sound and i was on my way of searching what care that was ... so my first 510 was a 2 door 1972 2 nd 1973 3 rd 1969 and so the story go.. you can c my 1969 Datsun 510 in the 1990 at a 5 and dime car sow in Oregon
Best video in this series.
Our family car in the 80s was an enormous Datsun Bluebird ... a 2L diesel :-)
That thing looks so fun to drive
This car is awesome. Looks so fun to drive
i was wondering when ya would do a vid of a 510 and you made one of a bluebird. THANK YOU!!!
Cool guy. I'd definitely take my car to his shop if I had a Datsun... or lived near him for that matter.
many of these cars were at Road America this weekend - racing hard! Great stuff.
***** I was there racing with 5 of my customers. Good times.
I saw your name in the entry list when doing captions for photos - e.g. this one flic.kr/p/wfnqEX
Plenty more to come.
***** #38 Datsun 510. If you have a couple of photo's I could choose from I want to buy a picture from the weekend.
I'll have a look - took 2000 images at the HAWK and still have a lot to go through.. So far I've only processed about 100. Will look for Datsun images next
Troy Ermish I found one - not the greatest shot or light, but at least you're going sideways. Turn 8, Saturday 11:32am flic.kr/p/wUiym8
Very cool love the old Datsuns first car was a 77 280z.
i have a datsun/nissan cherry N12 from "85. with double jetted carburetor, also a very rare car. just arround 20 are left in the netherlands :D
amazing story. im in love with that black one 3:49
you live in heaven
bloody lovely...
Loved the vid, but I'm a little disappointed that you didn't do a walkaround of the engine.
Rebello really seems to own the Datsun engine upgrade market!
Sure... But man is it pricy. But they do know how to handle and bring out some power out of an L series engine
***** They can handle the R and U series motors out of the SPL/SRL 311 Roadsters too!
Can't believe that my dad have one of these with an engine of skyline sadly, he sold it for the cause of our family.
Thats a cute little bastard, i forget how cool older japanese cars can be!
Awesome video. Very inspirational.
Very inspiring video.. I appreciate, your passion, and hard work ! Great attitude wins every time. Thanks for posting this :)
But there were later models named Bluebird as well. I remember the 80s wagon as a left hand drive being sold in Europe.
Привет из Москвы парни! Супер апарат, такие нужно беречь!
You have a beautiful and interesting channel, please continue. I loved it
I ran over a deer once going 115mph in my DATSUN510 in Oakland on Highway 13 and all 4 wheels came off the ground and my head hit the roof, "dam I couldn't believe it" hell it was soo much fun I slapped my ass and yelled yahoooo I wanted to go back and do it again!! folks that is one True Story!
Believe me it wasn't the first time I launched my 510 off the pavement!
I need a datsun in my life :(
never is to late
Just something i spotted @1:37 but the 2 front tires are facing the wrong direction...lol....hella dope bluebird tho!!
My favorite car of all time.
wish i could work at a shop like that
Great content guys. Thank you.
THESE VIDEOS GONNA BE MAKING MY DIME PARTS more hard to find now thanks to Jay Leno too LOL!
havent seen a 180B for a long time.. have a few 610s in town with ca18 and a FJ20T.
510's/Bluebird body style is iconic. I would have liked to hear how he came to own the SSS car.
scootosan You wouldn't believe... Ebay! Bought it in 2004 from 2 Army guys that brought it over to make a buck!
Awesome little beasty