Obtaining the car was also part of Victor's good fortune. After six months of price negotiations with the previous owner, Victor was lucky to have the car available in the end since 510s are one of the most coveted vehicles around. In fact, there have been many cases where valued 510s were stolen because of their rarity. Victor counteracts this with numerous security measures, including himself. A third-degree black belt in gosoku-ryu karate, Victor will probably beat the corruption out of any criminal trying to steal his treasure. "I have broken my opponents' ribs and given them concussions," he calmly declares. I took this as a cue to stop kicking his tires and making kung-fu noises while waving my hands across his face. "But I felt really guilty hurting them." As a result, I asked him to kick some random guy's ass in the restaurant, but to no avail. "I know how to control and diffuse confrontations before they escalate to physical violence." His advice for the best way to stop an attacker is to poke them in the eyes and kick them in the groin. So when asked if he's ever been kicked in the family jewels, he responded with his hands over his crotch and an emphatic, "Oh yes!" With that in mind, there is no doubt his 510 will be safe inside his garage. As a member of the Southern California UFO (United Five-Ten Owners), Victor rejoices daily when he drives his prized possession to work. "I chose the Datsun 510 because of its classic look, handling, and great racing history. Plus, I look good in it!" Without a doubt, Victor's diminutive size fits perfectly in the small, quaint cabin inside the Datsun, and people will continue to stare and be mesmerized by the inherent beauty and classic design of the 510-it surely is candy for the eyes.
Fast FactsOwner Victor ChicoRide '71 Datsun 510Hometown Los Angeles, CaliforniaDaily Grind Martial arts instructor
Under The Hood
13B four-port rotary, Monster street-port by Norman and Kam at SidePex, balanced and blueprinted, 9.7:1 compression, 3mm apex seal, pinned rotors, tricked e-shaft for more oil flow, Weber 48 downdraft carburetor, Holley fuel pressure meter, Carter fuel pump, two MSD-6A ignitions with two MSD blaster 45,000-volt coils, Racing Beat street and strip clutch and pressure plate, 2-1 headers, pre-silencer, and custom exhaust split into two Borla mufflers; Griffin aluminum 1.25 core radiator, 411 limited slip, custom wire harness by Leo and Admir at Phix Mobile Service
Stoppers
B210 brake booster with 280ZX master cylinder, custom-built 280ZX front struts and calipers/rotors by Mario at Toe Speed Racing, 280Z finned aluminum brake drums
Stiff Stuff
TMC coils, camber kit and 1.125 front sway bars, front and rear polyurethane bushings, Tokico shocks, Matrix strut bar
Rollers
15x7 SSR Super Mesh wheels, Nitto NT 450 tires
Outside
PPG Metallic candy-apple red, custom mounted hood scoop, old-school air dam, rear wing, paint, and body by Ronald at California Z
Inside
Auto Meter Sport Comp oil, volt, water gauges, and air/fuel ratio monitor; custom built-in Pivot tach with shift-light, custom upholstered front and rear seats with two-tone black/deep-red by Felipe at I & R Auto, MOMO Race steering wheel, Rzo aluminum pedals, Tenzo R shift knob, Sony deck with 10-disc CD changer
Props
Sylvia, my wife, for understanding my need for speed; Christian, my six-year-old son and tool assistant; Lee, my 16-month-old son, who likes to use my 510 as a playpen; and my compadres, Rommel and Dave, who I can count on any time I need their assistance. With it all, I was able to combine one of the best handling cars with the best non-turbo output a 1.3L motor can have to cure my need for speed.
By Roel F. Concepcion
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