For Sale: 1974 Datsun 710 in Christiansburg, Virginia

The 1974 Datsun 710 was a compact car manufactured by Nissan and sold under the Datsun brand. Introduced as a direct response to the mid-1970s oil crisis, it was designed to bridge the gap between the smaller Datsun 510 and the larger Bluebird/610 models. While praised in period commercials as "the driving man's economy car", automotive critics at the time---including Road & Track---widely viewed it as a downgraded, less-engaging successor to the beloved 510.The 1974 model year marked the launch of the 710 series in the U.S., featuring heavy 1970s styling cues like prominent grilles, heavy fastback lines, and large mandated safety bumpers. It was available in four distinct body styles:- 2-door Sedan- 4-door Sedan- 2 door Hardtop Coupe- 5-door Station WagonThe North American version shifted engines mid-year to cope with strict emission standards.- Early 1974 Engines: Equipped with a 1.8-liter (1,770 cc / 108 CID) L18 inline four-cylinder engine.- Late 1974 Engines: Upgraded to a 2.0-liter (1,952 cc / 119 CID) L20B inline four-cylinder engine.- Transmission: Offered a standard 4-speed manual transmission or an optional 3-speed automatic.- Specs: Generated roughly 97--110 horsepower depending on configuration, pushing a top speed around 100 mph (161 km/h).While the older 510 achieved legendary status for its BMW-like independent rear suspension (IRS), Nissan engineered the 710 with a more cost-effective solid live rear axle on leaf springs. This transition resulted in a harsher ride and less nimble handling, disappointing performance enthusiasts. However, its robust L-series engine remained incredibly durable and easy to work on.Despite its lackluster critical reception as a street car, the 710 found secondary fame as a highly competitive vehicle in SCCA amateur road racing and regional rally events due to its bulletproof powertrain. Today, surviving 1974 examples are exceptionally rare due to rust issues common to 1970s Japanese steel.This nice original Datsun 710 has just 45,000 miles and is a part of the Duncan Imports collection since 2020.