Datsun Violet 710

Datsun Violet 710

The 710, a model not sold in Australia, was the the Japanese factory's main rally machine for a number of years. In body size the 710 is a slightly smaller size than the familiar 180B, but it was still a substantial car, weighing 1,100 kg (2,425 lb). Two engines were used, a single overhead camshaft unit of 1.889 litres and a double overhead cam engine of 1.941 litres. Both run with 10.5:1 compression ratios. In rally trim the twin cam reached 180 km/h and the single 170 km/h. With independent suspension front and rear the car was well suited to rough going. The 710 holds a special place in rally folklore with the special tone made by their twincam engines remembered by many rally tragics.