So I found a 1980 Datsun 210 (120y B-310 ) 4 door at a garadge sale for 150$ US, and I'm madly in love with it, It's clean, 1 previous owner, decent paint, interior is dry but seats are cracked. I'd like to restore it as much as possible and/or try to get more power out of it. I've never been a classic car person before, and don't really know what the Do's and Don't are for this kind of thing. One of the front fenders has been repainted at some point and the pinstriping is gone there. It also has all of it's smog gear.

So my question is:

What can be done to get more power out of it? Are these types of mods frowned uppon by classic car enthusiasts?

Can a full replacement of the pinstriping be done without losing value?

What's more important in your opinion, A powerful fast car with less stock parts or a unmodified car with no power and alot of cosmetic restoration?


I'd like this to be my project car, but I don't know which way to go here...