These 14 Cars Were Built to Be Cheap—But Became Icons

14. Datsun 510

The Datsun 510 made waves in the late 1960s and early ’70s as an affordable, well-built sedan with surprising performance credentials. Its rear-wheel-drive layout, responsive handling, and ease of modification endeared it to motorsport fans and tuners alike.
The 510’s balance of practicality and racing potential led to a passionate global following, cementing its cult status among car enthusiasts and collectors. Today, it’s celebrated as one of the most influential budget classics in automotive history. MotorTrend