Tom "Turbo" Wyatt III was a legendary car builder famous for his outrageously fast, turbocharged L20b-powered 1969 Datsun 510. Known in the Datsun community as "Turbo Tom", he made automotive history by humiliating much more expensive sports cars on the track.
His Datsun 510 was an engineering marvel, featuring a T04 Rotomaster turbocharger and a 4150 Holley carburetor. The engine produced 275 horsepower at 21 pounds of boost for drag racing, and dialed in at around 250 horsepower on the road course.
At the "Classic Motorsports Mitty" at Road Atlanta, Wyatt consistently outpaced higher-class sports cars:
- He beat a Porsche 930 on a lap by nine seconds.
- He beat a race-prepped 427 Cobra by three seconds.
SCCA officials originally started his 510 in a class with similar cars, but he blew the doors off them so quickly that they repeatedly moved him up classes. By the end of the day, he was racing against Corvettes, Cobras, and Porsches. The race staff ultimately awarded him a custom-made trophy rather than embarrass the prestigious classes.
1969 4 door 510 -- The late "Turbo" Tom Wyatt's "Old Blue" - The ultimate 350HP turbocharged 510! Perfect bodywork; brand new Panasport wheels and Kumho Ecsta 700 Autocross/race tires. Freshly built KA-24 engine with 390 LSD, R&P steering, super trick suspension, 4-wheel discs with Corvette calipers. Panel and door fit are very good. All glass is perfect, new windshield and the roll ups are all perfect. Inside this completely unmolested bodywork lurks a thinly disguised racecar with custom fabricated features that only "Turbo Tom" could create. Tom had planned to sell this car when it was complete. It has been a part of the Duncan Imports collection since 2022.
True Mileage Unknown
