Rod's Pure Thoughts
The Legacy of the Datsun 510: How a Game-Changing Car Helped Nissan Conquer the US Market
The Datsun 510 revolutionized the U.S. car market with its design, performance, affordability, and versatility. A game-changer that became a modern classic
Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Daily News Staff
The Datsun 510 is a car that helped Nissan become a household name in the United States. When it was first introduced in the late 1960s, the 510 was a game-changer. It offered a high level of design and performance that was previously unseen in Japanese cars. This helped the car stand out in the ultra-competitive U.S. market, where domestic and European brands held sway. With its boxy design, which combined simplicity and elegance, it appealed to a wide range of consumers. The 510’s reliability and affordability also played crucial roles in its success, making it a favorite among young drivers and car enthusiasts alike. Its availability in multiple body styles, including a two-door sedan, four-door sedan, and a five-door wagon, gave it a versatility that few competitors could match. Furthermore, its lightweight frame and independent rear suspension made it a popular choice for racing, solidifying its status as a modern classic.
I remember when my parents bought their Datsun 510 from Gardena Datsun back in 1970 R Washington
What Made the Datsun 510 so Great?
One of the key factors that contributed to the success of the 510 was the influence of Nissan executive Yutaka Katayama. He understood the American market and knew that Nissan needed a car that could compete with the best of what Europe had to offer. Katayama’s vision was clear: he wanted a vehicle that combined performance, affordability, and style to attract the American car buyer. The result was the Datsun 510, a car that was not only fun to drive but also affordable to own, making it a hit with consumers.
The 510’s technical features were also noteworthy. It boasted a sporty and comfortable independent suspension, which was rare in cars of its price range at the time. This independent rear suspension contributed significantly to its agile handling and smooth ride. Furthermore, the 510 was equipped with a peppy 1.6-liter inline-four engine. This engine was capable of delivering impressive performance, which, when combined with the 510’s lightweight design, made for an exhilarating driving experience.
In addition, the 510 was available in several body styles, including a two-door sedan, a four-door sedan, and a five-door station wagon. This variety catered to a broad spectrum of buyers, from young enthusiasts looking for a sporty commuter to families needing a reliable and practical vehicle. Its versatility and practicality further broadened its appeal, ensuring that it could meet the diverse needs of the American market.
This combination of performance, affordability, and versatility made the 510 a popular choice for car buyers. Its success was reflected in its sales numbers; in fact, the 510 accounted for over 40% of Nissan’s U.S. sales in 1971 alone. The legacy of the 510 is still remembered fondly today, with many car enthusiasts considering it a classic and a standout model in Nissan’s history.
The success of the 510 was not just limited to sales figures. It also made its mark on the world of motorsport, with the Datsun 510 race car winning the SCAA 2.5 liter Trans Am Championship in 1971 and 1972. This was Nissan’s first professional racing win and helped establish the company as a serious player in the automotive world. The 510’s success on the track not only elevated Nissan’s status but also resonated with automotive enthusiasts who valued performance and reliability.
But perhaps the biggest impact of the 510 was the legacy it left behind. It paved the way for generations of Nissan sedans to come, including the Maxima, Altima, Sentra, and Versa. These cars have continued to prioritize performance, style, and affordability, just as the 510 did over 50 years ago. The design principles and innovations introduced with the 510 influenced the development of subsequent models, ensuring that Nissan remained competitive and relevant in a rapidly evolving market.
The 510’s influence extended beyond just the models that followed it. Its engineering and design philosophies permeated Nissan’s broader approach to vehicle manufacturing, setting standards for durability and customer satisfaction. Additionally, the success of the 510 in motorsports provided Nissan with valuable insights into high-performance engineering, which were applied to future models across the lineup.
Today, the 510 remains a beloved car among enthusiasts, with numerous clubs dedicated to preserving and racing these iconic cars. Events and meets are frequently organized where owners and admirers can showcase their meticulously maintained or restored 510s, sharing stories and knowledge about these vintage masterpieces. The community around the 510 is vibrant and passionate, underlining the car’s lasting appeal and its significant role in automotive history.
While the Nissan Heritage Collection may be open only via private tour, the legacy of the 510 lives on in the hearts and minds of car enthusiasts everywhere. The collection itself stands as a testament to Nissan’s rich history and its commitment to preserving the iconic models that have shaped the brand. For many, the 510 is more than just a car; it’s a symbol of innovation, a piece of automotive history, and a cherished classic that continues to inspire new generations of car lovers.
https://usa.nissanstories.com/en-US/releases/nissan-heritage-collection-spotlight-datsun-510
https://stmdailynews.com/category/consumer-corner/automotive/
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The Substitute Teacher Who Wanted Blueprints of Our House
A fifth-grade assignment took a strange turn when a substitute teacher asked students to draw schematics of their homes. What followed — a wildly fictional floor plan and a priceless reaction from my mom — turned into one of my funniest childhood memories.
Last Updated on December 3, 2025 by Daily News Staff
The Substitute Teacher Who Wanted Blueprints of Our House
Elementary school memories tend to blend together — cafeteria pizza, playground arguments, the eternal struggle of times tables — but every once in a while, something happens that sticks with you for life. For me, that moment came in the fifth grade during a week when our regular teacher was out, and we cycled through substitute teachers like we were testing models for durability. By midweek, in walked a substitute with a mysterious, slightly intense energy — the kind of vibe that suggested he either meditated at dawn or worked a graveyard shift doing something he couldn’t talk about. We settled into our seats, expecting worksheets or quiet reading time. But nope. He had other plans. “Today,” he announced, “we’re going to draw schematics of our houses.” Schematics. Not drawings. Not little houses with smoke coming out of the chimney. Actual blueprint-style schematics. He wanted the layout of our bedrooms, our parents’ rooms, and where the pets slept. Every detail. Now, to be fair, Highlights Magazine did have a feature that month teaching kids how to draw floor plans. So maybe he was just a bit overenthusiastic about cross-curricular learning. Or maybe — and this is my completely rhetorical adult theory — he worked the graveyard shift as a cat burglar gathering intel between heists. Just moonlighting between blueprints. While the rest of the class tried their best to recreate their actual homes, my imagination sprinted in a totally different direction. The house I drew had:- A massive master bedroom with an oversized bathroom for my parents
- Separate bedrooms for us kids on the opposite side of the house
- A kitchen placed right in the center like a command center
- And the dog — the true VIP — had a luxurious two-story doghouse
Later that day, my mom asked the usual question: “So, what did you guys do today?” “We drew schematics of our house,” I said casually. The look on her face was instant and intense. She wasn’t panicked, but there was definitely a “Why does a substitute teacher need to know the exact layout of my home?” expression happening. Parental instincts activated. But then I showed her my diagram. She stared at it. Blinked. Then sighed with massive relief. “This isn’t our house,” she said. “Nope! I made it up,” I replied proudly. Her shoulders relaxed so much she probably lost five pounds of tension in one instant. If the substitute was secretly planning a heist, my masterpiece of misinformation would have sent him to the wrong house entirely. Looking back, the whole moment feels like a sitcom setup — a mysterious substitute collecting “house schematics,” me creating a completely fictional piece of architecture, and my mom going on a full emotional journey in under 30 seconds. Maybe he was just excited about the Highlights Magazine floor-plan activity. Or maybe — just maybe — he moonlighted in cat burglary. We’ll never know. But if he was, I like to think I threw him completely off the scent.Enjoy this story?
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Framing the Final Light: The Power of the Setting Sun Shot in Film
Explore how filmmakers use the setting sun shot to create emotion and meaning in film — from Sergio Leone’s westerns to Saguaro Court by Rodney Washington.
The Power of the Setting Sun Shot in Film
There’s a certain magic that happens when a camera captures the last light of the day. The sun dips low, shadows stretch long, and everything takes on a warm, golden glow that can turn even the simplest scene into something timeless. Filmmakers call it the “magic hour,” and it’s been used for decades to convey emotion, finality, and visual poetry.
I learned this firsthand in 2002, when I produced a short film called Saguaro Court. The story closed with a powerful image — the supposed bad guy standing over the supposed good guy, revealing a sudden plot twist as the Arizona sun sank behind them. The setting sun wasn’t just a backdrop; it was a visual exclamation point. That warm, fading light symbolized moral ambiguity and the shifting of power in a way that dialogue alone never could.
But not everyone agreed. After the film was finished, I had a heated debate with someone who insisted that using the setting sun as a backdrop “had never been done before” — and that I was wrong for ending my film that way. I couldn’t help but laugh. The truth is, that technique has been a cinematic staple for generations. In fact, some of the greatest directors in film history have built unforgettable moments around it.
Classic Westerns and the Mythic Glow
Few genres embraced the sunset more than the Western. Director Sergio Leone turned the setting sun into a character of its own in The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966). Cinematographer Tonino Delli Colli often shot Clint Eastwood during the golden hour, bathing his silhouette and poncho in a desert glow that defined the spaghetti western aesthetic. Leone would even structure his production schedule around those few precious minutes when the light was perfect.
Later, Eastwood paid homage to Leone’s technique in his Oscar-winning film Unforgiven (1992), where several key moments — including the final ride into the storm — were filmed under the fading light of day. Likewise, Shane (1953) used the sunset for one of the most poignant endings in all of cinema, with the hero riding into the horizon as the sky dimmed behind him.
Modern Masters of the Golden Hour
Outside of the Western, visionary directors have continued to use this visual language.
Terrence Malick’s Days of Heaven (1978) is considered the masterpiece of natural light cinematography, with nearly every shot filmed during magic hour. David Lean’s Lawrence of Arabia (1962) captured the desert’s vastness and isolation in golden tones that remain unmatched. Roger Deakins, one of today’s greatest cinematographers, used the setting sun in films like No Country for Old Men (2007) and Skyfall (2012) to heighten drama and atmosphere. Even Ridley Scott’s Gladiator (2000) ends with a wheat-field vision glowing in the light of dusk — a visual metaphor for peace and release.
Why the Setting Sun Works
There’s something deeply human about the symbolism of sunset. It marks the end of a day, a life chapter, or a story. It’s universal — everyone recognizes what it feels like to watch the day fade away. The soft, directional light adds warmth, realism, and melancholy all at once. It’s not just beautiful; it’s emotional shorthand.
When we see a character framed against that low sun, we instinctively feel tension, change, or closure — the end of something and the beginning of something else.
Back to Saguaro Court
In Saguaro Court, the closing shot against the Arizona sunset wasn’t just about style — it was about storytelling. The light deepened the moral twist at the end, amplifying the shock and emotion of the scene. And that’s why filmmakers return to the setting sun again and again: because sometimes, the light says everything.
So to anyone who claims “it’s never been done before,” history — and a century of golden light — say otherwise.
Further Viewing
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – Wikipedia
Days of Heaven – IMDb Shane – Wikipedia
Lawrence of Arabia – Wikipedia
Written by Rodney Washington, filmmaker and publisher of STM Daily News
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Last Updated on October 13, 2025 by Daily News Staff
The Business
I originally posted this on the former TNCN blog site back in 2021, but it is still very relevant today.
This is my first blog post in a long while. Today, I would like to talk about demanding respect for your business, in whatever you do. Whether you are running a blog, or podcast, creating apps, craft beer, food, or even if you are mowing lawns. Whatever it is you are doing, this is your business, and your reputation, your blood, sweat, and tears got you some level of success to this point.
From my standpoint, any success that I have had with TNC.Network I can attribute some of it to help from my family and friends. My friends care about my business, are concerned about its failure and champion its success.
More than likely, your friends do respect your business, and at least understand how your business integrity and reputation are valuable and important to your company’s future and treat it as such.
There are, however, times when this is not the case. A person who claims to be a friend and doesn’t have your business’s best interest at heart.
Thinking about the work you put into your business, you’ve also considered this, your company’s branding. This shows your hard work and dedication. With your branding, you have successfully and deservedly earned the trust of your clientele.
If you are running a media business like a blog, podcast, or a video channel and you are dealing with sponsors, or you are receiving products to review, movie or theater passes, or you are getting press passes to cover special events, it means that these venues and companies are entrusting you and your brand with their success.
With that said, let’s circle back to friendship and respecting your business or brand. Running TNC Network, I worked hard on branding and the blog’s reputation. When someone entrusts me with their branding, it is important to treat it with the respect they deserve, with integrity and professionalism.
Let’s focus on press passes. Covering events for TNC Network, I occasionally get press passes for events, which means that the venue is entrusting my news-blog to cover the event professionally and as a member of the press. It is not, however, an avenue for someone to just enter for free or act like a fake VIP and take advantage of the situation. Also, while at the event, we must follow the rules, no matter what you think about them or dislike them.
In 2018, I had an incident happen within our company where the person who was supposedly representing us at a local event purposely didn’t follow the rules. As a result, we are now seemingly blacklisted from getting press passes from that venue. Lesson learned. Good friends understand how important your company’s reputation is to its brand.
I learned a lot from that incident, and it made me rethink how I issue press passes within the company for coverage. I now take much more care in vetting the people who will represent the company. Press passes are not given for personal benefit; they are a symbol of the company’s trust and reputation. Good friends realize that and respect the importance of maintaining professional boundaries and upholding the company’s standards.
Furthermore, I believe that demanding respect for your business extends beyond just managing press passes or handling sponsorships. It includes how you interact with employees, clients, and even competitors. Consistently demonstrating professionalism and integrity in all aspects of your business fosters a culture of respect that can be felt by everyone who interacts with your brand.
So, whether you’re just starting out or have been in business for years, remember that your reputation is one of your most valuable assets. Protect it fiercely, demand respect for your hard work, and surround yourself with people who understand and appreciate the importance of your business’s integrity. In the long run, this will contribute not only to your success but also to the satisfaction and loyalty of everyone involved with your business.
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Discover how pecans went from ignored trees to holiday staples over 8,000 years. Learn about Native American pecan use, the enslaved man who revolutionized pecan grafting, George Washington’s pecan obsession, and why the US produces 80% of the world’s pecans. - Why the chemtrail conspiracy theory lingers and grows – and why Tucker Carlson is talking about it
The chemtrail conspiracy theory has surged despite being thoroughly debunked. Learn why people believe contrails are chemical weapons, how Tucker Carlson amplified the theory, and what psychology reveals about conspiracy thinking and our need for control. - DoorDash Driver Arrested After Claiming Sexual Assault: What Really Happened?
A DoorDash driver who claimed she was sexually assaulted during a delivery is now facing felony charges after police say her viral video showed an unconscious, partially nude customer without consent. Here’s what investigators found and why the case is sparking national debate. - The Substitute Teacher Who Wanted Blueprints of Our House
A fifth-grade assignment took a strange turn when a substitute teacher asked students to draw schematics of their homes. What followed — a wildly fictional floor plan and a priceless reaction from my mom — turned into one of my funniest childhood memories. - Chasing Virality: When Seeking Fame Becomes Reckless
Chasing Virality: A commentary on the rising dangers of chasing viral fame, examining the DoorDash TikTok incident and the LA freeway music-video stunt. Explore how reckless social-media behavior leads to legal trouble, public backlash, and real-world harm.
STM Daily News is a vibrant news blog dedicated to sharing the brighter side of human experiences. Emphasizing positive, uplifting stories, the site focuses on delivering inspiring, informative, and well-researched content. With a commitment to accurate, fair, and responsible journalism, STM Daily News aims to foster a community of readers passionate about positive change and engaged in meaningful conversations. Join the movement and explore stories that celebrate the positive impacts shaping our world.
STM Daily News is a multifaceted podcast that explores a wide range of topics, from life and consumer issues to the latest in food and beverage trends. Our discussions dive into the realms of science, covering everything from space and Earth to nature, artificial intelligence, and astronomy. We also celebrate the amateur sports scene, highlighting local athletes and events, including our special segment on senior Pickleball, where we report on the latest happenings in this exciting community. With our diverse content, STM Daily News aims to inform, entertain, and engage listeners, providing a comprehensive look at the issues that matter most in our daily lives. https://stories-this-moment.castos.com/
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