Hot Wheels
Hot Wheels Datsun 510 Wagon: Surf Patrol in Blue
The long roof, bright blue body and red wheel faces give this Hot Wheels Datsun 510 Wagon an easygoing look. White JNC Surf Patrol lettering runs along both sides, with orange and dark-blue stripes beneath it and a white 71 near the rear. It is a lively choice for a collection of Japanese cars, wagons or beach-themed miniatures.
This is the loose 1971 Datsun 510 Wagon offered at Muncle Mike’s, without its original packaging. The roof is bare: the Surf Patrol decoration does not mean a surfboard or roof rack comes with the car. The photographed example has marks on its windshield and some wear to the finish and graphics, which are worth examining before you buy.
Take a closer look at the Surf Patrol wagon
Hot Wheels Datsun 510 Wagon — blue Surf Patrol, loose
See both sides and the high-angle photo of the blue wagon. The product page has the current price and buying options; the car is offered without its original card or blister.
Why the wagon shape works so well
A long, fairly flat roof gives the Surf Patrol graphics a different setting from a short coupe or a low sports car. The large side windows, rear cargo area and upright back make the wagon shape clear. The hood and side panels carry most of the decoration, while the blue roof gives your eye somewhere quieter to settle.
The full-size 510 family began in 1967 as Nissan’s third-generation Bluebird. Its original range included an estate wagon alongside the sedan and van. That wagon background helps explain the appeal of this miniature: a practical body shape has become a colorful small custom, with red wheel faces and bold lettering doing much of the work.
If your Japanese-car display already has several low coupes, the Datsun adds a noticeably different roofline. In a wagon collection, the Surf Patrol theme gives it a clear personality. You can also group it by color, though the red wheels and orange stripes will make it more conspicuous than a plain blue car.
The view from above reveals more than the roof
From this angle, you can see the hood’s white panels and narrow colored stripes, as well as the uninterrupted blue roof. It is also the view to use when looking at the windshield: visible marks sit across the glazing. The side views make the lettering easier to read, but they do not show the windshield as clearly.
There are small areas of wear around the side decoration and finish. These details describe the photographed example, so ask about the available unit if condition will decide the purchase. For close-up photography, the windshield and the broad side panels deserve particular attention because they occupy so much of the frame.
A blue wagon or a blue Ferrari?
If you collect by color, compare this Datsun with the blue-and-black Hot Wheels Ferrari 308. They share a blue body and prominent numbers, but the shapes and decorations create quite different displays. The Datsun has a surf theme and a tall cargo area; the Ferrari brings a low nose and racing-style roundels.
| What you notice | Datsun 510 Wagon | Blue Ferrari 308 |
|---|---|---|
| Silhouette | Long roof and upright wagon rear. | Low sports-car nose and sloping rear bodywork. |
| Graphics | JNC Surf Patrol lettering, white 71 and orange-and-blue stripes. | White 04 roundels, a black hood and multicolored lower stripes. |
| Wheels | Bright red wheel faces. | Silver-colored multi-spoke wheel faces. |
Choose the wagon if the long roof or surf decoration is the reason you are collecting. Choose the Ferrari if you would rather add a racing look to a sports-car row. Displayed together, they also show how much the same basic body color can change with a different roofline, wheel finish and set of graphics.
Let the Surf Patrol lettering stay in view
Place the Datsun side-on or at a slight angle so the long stripe remains readable. A busy background can compete with the small lettering, so a simple parking space or an uncluttered beach scene is a useful starting point. Leave the roof clear if you want to preserve the appearance shown here; any surfboard or other scenery you add would be a separate accessory.
Ready to make room for a wagon? View the blue Surf Patrol Datsun and its current buying options.
See our look at the blue Ferrari 308, browse Loose Hot Wheels, or find more buying and display ideas in Product Guides.
