Datsun Roadster Information from Rallye Enterprises, Ltd.

VIN, VIN...Why do I need to know my VIN? What is "VIN?" VIN is the Vehicle Identification Number, also called car number, chassis number, or serial number. Datsun Roadsters are titled by the year they were sold, not necessarily the model year they really are. A true 68 could be registered as a 69, a true 70 could be registered as a 69 etc. Before 68 the cars came with vin tags that had 1 9 6 _ and the last digit of the year was later stamped in, or just replaced with a later tag. SPL310s sometimes had a 3-4-5 before the SPL310 or before the 5-digit vin suggesting (we think) what model year the car truly was, regardless of what was stamped above for the licensing year. Just to make sure nothing makes sense we've also seen some examples that would indicate it signifies CALENDAR year produced, not model year. They also could have a letter after the vin. Only theories at this point to the significance of the letter. Also, in some cases we believe the cars were built and put in storage lots, but the most recently built cars were pulled for shipment first. That could help to explain why the very first Fairlady sold in the USA was (a 1960) SPL212 00198 (out of 288 built). All of the 61 and 62 212's I've found have had lower numbers. The same thing may explain why some of the lowest vin numbered 1500's were titled as 64's and had very high engine numbers. (end of the 64 run of engines) Just before they switched to the 65 models they must have found these engineless chassis or bodies gathering dust somewhere. Or was an defect found in the engines causing the cars to be set aside until later? Or did someone squirrel away the pre vin-stamped frames until the very end of production when they were again "found"? Historical details of what Nissan did in the 60's are often debated. An addition to the weirdness file was recently sent to us (thanks Tim). This roadster's vin number on the frame originally began with "00". It was then "X-ed" out and two "1"s were stamped below it. (pic). Above the original number were two Nissan logo stamps. What was this, the guy forgot to change the numbers in his stamping tool? Or a 1965 frame was lost and then "found" later? The 67 1/2s used a different frame though... That could of course been rectified as I've seen other modifications done to make the parts work with what they needed at the moment, especially to fenders. Cars with fairly low production figures are always interesting. The thing to remember is that the year the car was sold has nothing to do with ordering parts for it. Learn what's what. (It'll help you) Any roadster enthusiast worth his or her salt would never refer to their 69 as a 70. Please see "Year Your Car Really Is."

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