Owner: Ryan Romaine
Location: Temecula, CA., USA
Vehicle: 1974 Datsun 610 Bluebird-U SSS-E
Car Club: R-Rydes
Horsepower: 96
Website: Personal
The 610 series was launched in Japan in August 1971 and was badged as the Datsun Bluebird-U. The meaning behind the U suffix is uncertain, but it has been suggested that it was an acronym for either User or Ultra. For the Japanese domestic market, the 610 was pitted against the second generation Toyota Corona Mark II. Also in Japan, the 610 was initially sold alongside the 510 but eventually replaced the 510. 610's were available in a 4dr, 2dr hardtop (HT), and five-door wagon. Trim levels in Japan were GL (Grand Luxe), SSS (Super Sports Sedan), DX (Deluxe) or STD (Standard). The 610 borrowed its suspension and drivetrain from the outgoing 510. Thus, all 610's were equipped with the Nissan L-Series inline engines. Likewise, the 610 4dr & 2dr retained the class-leading, independent rear trailing arm design, while the wagon reused the rear live axle with leaf springs from the 510 wagon. In many export markets, including UK, Europe & Australia, the 610 was badged as the 160B or 180B with respect to particular engine displacement. From 1973-74, the USA was the only market outside of Japan to have its 610 HT models equipped with the unique, six-bulb tail lights that covered the entire rear panel, requiring the license plate to be mounted below the rear bumper. Most 610's world- wide came equipped with either a 4spd manual or 3spd automatic transmission, but a 5spd manual transmission was available in the Japan & Australia markets. As with the 510, SSS trim included misc. sport options and a higher output engine with twin-Hitachi carburetors. A Japan-only SSS-E model was equipped with Bosch EFI, and so was one of the first, mass-produced Nissan vehicles to be sold without a carburetor. Another 610 never exported was the inline-six -U-2000 GT and -U-2000 GTX (SAMEBLUE..SAME meaning Shark in Japanese). It came with stretched front end to accommodate the longer engine and featured a different grill and other aesthetic modifications, but this model was not available in a wagon.
New Zealand market cars initially were a single 1.8-litre 180B sedan, again with four-speed manual transmission and assembled from CKD kits under contract by Campbell's. A three-speed automatic – using a transmission made by Nissan Japan subsidiary JATCO – was later added as a factory option. Relaxed restrictions on car assembly kit imports and increasing affluence in NZ meant Campbell's, which also assembled Toyota, Renault, Rambler, Hino, Isuzu and Peugeot models over the years, could not meet demand so Nissan-Datsun (NZ) contracted Chrysler/Mitsubishi importer Todd Motors to assemble additional manual 180Bs at its Porirua factory alongside the Chrysler Valiant, Hunter, Avenger and Alpine model ranges and Mitsubishi Lancer sedan and Colt Galant coupe. The Todd-built cars gave Datsun dealers a new range of paint colours all different to those Campbell's offered.A minor upgrade to the front suspension (offset strut tops) for the 610 led to slightly improved handling before the introduction of the 810.
Photos By: John Zhang, Antonio Alvendia, KROPS.org, William Lee, Ryan Romaine
ENGINE & PERFORMANCE
The engine compartment is in very clean shape, and is all factory apart from the new red-top Optima and the adjustable camber plates. The big air filter housing is spotless and feeds the L16's factory Bosch fuel injection system. The car sports a 5-speed transmission that shifts perfectly and makes for a comfortable ride. A Japan-only SSS-E model was equipped with Bosch EFI, and so was one of the first, mass-produced Nissan vehicles to be sold without a carburetor. This car is complete and has not been modified from its factory built condition and has the factory manual.
WHEELS & TIRES
As it sits now, 15 staggered Watanabe wheels that were restored and straightened with Toyp Proxie tires.
SUSPENSION
Troy Ermish supplied the rear coil-overs and Design Products the front coil-overs on modified 280zx struts with Techno Toy camber plates.
EXTERIOR
100% Original single stage paint
INTERIOR
The interior is a virtual time capsule, and every bit as pristine as the day it came off the factory floor. The car features factory air conditioning, a real rarity for Datsuns of this era. The air conditioning functions to this day.
AUDIO & MULTIMEDIA
This car has a factory AM/FM radio and a wild, separate flat tape-deck.
