’71 DATSUN 510

— Mugen M7

AHonda boy through and through, Neel Singh picked up his set of Mugen M7s back in 2013 with the intention of using them on the appropriately matched Integra (DC2) occupying his driveway space. Originally measuring in at 15x6.5 inches (+45p) in two-piece form with a 4x100 PCD, he wanted a bigger, stauncher look and enquired locally about having them widened. Not finding the right combo to suit — specifically, a stepped lip to bring the wheels out to 16 inches — Neel looked to the States to have a set of 2.25-inch lips commissioned. Once landed, the original sizing was stripped, with the faces and new barrels sent off to Arrow Wheels for assembly. The 190-thickness 6061-T6, custom-tooled barrels ensure the wheels now measure in at a cool 16x8 inches (+20p) in three-piece form. As far as Neel knows, it’s the only set in New Zealand to have been resized, and he made sure to wrap them in quality rubber — a set of 195/40R16 Toyo T1Rs. After being run on the DC2 for a short period, tastes shifted, and a Datsun 510 repurposed that driveway space. Still holding Honda stylings close to heart, a little spice was added to the old Datto in the form of the M7s, and most people won’t pick it at first, perhaps due to the ’70s racing–style vibe, but they are most certainly a Honda (Mugen) piece. Being the wrong PCD, a set of custom 20mm hub adapters (4x114.3 to 4x100) was made that allows the wheels to sit at a comfortable +0p. The question now is, is this the start of the cross-breeding of two of the, arguably, most opposite makes and fan bases?