Datsun Roadster Forum-311s.org

Any suggestions as to obtaining as much history about an old roadster as possible? I am beginning the loooong restoration process and thought a history would be great to keep in the book. I tried a letter to the previous registered owner without any luck. I can tell she was silver, but would like to know where she has been her whole life. Trips, etc...SPL311-13956

If you know what state or states it was registered in you could contact the department of motor vehicles and request information. I am not sure how helpful they would be but it is a start. Good luck

Steve

Couldn't you also run a check through Carfax. (www.carfax.com , I think)I think it will tell you all the places your car has been registered along with other information. I don't think it costs too much. Mark

Carfax does not have any information on any cars that do not have a standardardized VIN# of 17 characters. This meant that any car created prior to 1982 has not history at Carfax. I tried.

Further, the (California) DMV deletes everything if the car has not been registred in 10 years. PS: Caution, so any Roadster 2000 that has not been registred in 10 can be questionable if it is really a true Solex 2000 or even has the original U20 engine.

My best best bet is to contact the previous owners directly and keep good freindly communication. Make it worth his while to help you. Food, gifts and money always works.

Carfax doesn't work on roadsters. The VIN isn't long enough I tried with my car.
Will

Thanks for the info. I will try the previous owner again. The car was registered in california. I had tried the california dmv, but they sent the form back to me. I guess i can try that again too!

Well, the letter I sent to the PO was sent back undeliverable. Now I am waiting to see if the California DMV will accept the INF1125 form I sent in with the $5 fee. The DMV recomends a INF 70R, so I will try that too.

John

Well. The DMV was useless. They actually typed in the wrong VIN to do the search, so it came back with no history in California! Duh!!

Good news is I found the owner by myself. He wants to follow the resotration process, and willing to give history. He sent me a photo of him sitting in her back in the sixties. COOL!!!

JohnnyRoadster

Persistance does pay off. That is pretty cool you finally got a hold of the original owner.

Steve

I am not surprised that the previous owner still wants to help. Once you let go of a car, your heart never really does.

The lady and the man I bought both my cars from want to see what has become of em after I finish. In fact they asked if they can take me in it for a spin. Just for old time sake.

Who know maybe they will offer to buy it back from you!!

Well, the previous owner tells me that my datsun was actually in a couple of movies. He did some acting when he was younger and got it in. The movies were "My Soul Runs Naked" and "California Living. He said it was in a commercial too!

I have not been able to find these movies. Anyone heard of them?

Unlikely on "My Soul Runs Naked", also known as "Ratfink", which was released in 1965. http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0059636/

I couldn't find "California Living".

You are probably right about the Ratfink. Maybe the PO is getting forgetful as he ages, and forgot which movie it was in. I will be writing him again soon, and will be sure to ask him more details. It would be cool to see it in action!