A 510 serves no purpose if it sits like a four-wheeler, and with that said, Tony's ride has been dropped considerably with a set of Tokico struts; whether or not there are any springs on there is left to the imagination. Controlling body sway and flex are a set of Suspension Techniques antiroll bars. We couldn't get the exact name of the wheels from Tony, but they look like Enkei 92s. The classic mesh wheel is a style that never grows old and matches this car perfectly; its polished, deep-dished construction is just too cool for school. The interior was also redone with as much of the original parts that he could find. The dash, seats, carpet, gauges, pedals, and shift knob are all immaculate-only a Grant steering wheel and custom door panels are replacements. But just because this car is predominantly old school doesn't mean it can't get jiggy with the new. Raymond Ng installed an Alpine head unit and amplifiers, and sound emanates through a set of Pioneer speakers and a Bazooka sub. There are also three TV screens, one positioned in the center dash and one in each headrest. For on-the-go entertainment, a PlayStation 2 console has been fitted underneath the dash.
Though our meeting happened by pure chance, it seems that fate was playing favorites that day when just asking about a car out of plain old curiosity lead to one of the coolest cars to be featured with us.
Fast FactsOwner Tony RuelasHometown Millbrae, CaliforniaRide '72 Datsun 510
Daily Grind Auto body and painter
Under The Hood '82 Nissan L4 engine, fully rebuilt and balanced with factory Nissan parts; Erson dual pattern camshaft, ported and polished cylinder head; Offenhauser intake manifold; Holley fuel regulator; Mallory fuel pump, and spark plug wires; K&N air filter; four-barrel 390cfm carbs; Hooker header; NGK spark plugs; close ratio transmission; MSD ignition
Stiff Stuff Tokico shocks; SuspensionTechniques anti-sway bars
Rollers Old-school mesh wheels; Goodyear Wing Foot tires
Outside Custom paint scheme using Nissan and Infiniti colors; ghost flames; all paint and body work by Tony Ruelas
Inside Original 510 seats, carpet, dash, gauges, shift knob, and pedals; Grant steering wheel; all custom upholstery by South City Auto Upholstery
Ice Alpine CD head unit, CD changer, and amplifiers; Pioneer speakers; Bazooka subwoofer; PlayStation 2; three TV screens
Props Tony Consola, Ken Wells, Manuel Campos, Joey Muscat, and my stepson, Keoni Fernandez for helping me with the flames.