1971 now a 1970?

[Spridal]

I just left the DMV and the funniest thing happened. The DMV clerk stated since my car was built in Sept 1970 that it should be registered as a 1970 and not a 1971.

I was under the assumption that September signified the start of the new year. In any case, the car is now registered and titled as a 1970. Should I try to correct them or should I just leave well enough alone?

[Arne]

Let it go. The model year is not really important, as it is defined differently in different jurisdictions. (As you just found out.) It really doesn't matter.

[Spridal]

Thanks Arne,

I figured that would be my best bet. I hated the thought of getting back in that never ending line at DMV.

[EScanlon]

IIRC, the manufacturing schedule in the early 70's for Datsun was Jan to Dec, unlike the U.S. schedule of Sep-Aug.

That caused a lot of confusion as to what year a car should be designated as.

Even now, 30+ years later, we are finding that there were some vehicles registered as next year / prior year vehicles that causes a lot of grief to owners when they try to get DMV to understand (Hey! Isn't that an oxymoron?).

Simply put, you've been given a small bonus as your car is now registered as a 70 which purportedly makes it more valuable than a 71.

Amongst the folks here, you'll find that your build date will be what people go by. The Build Date is what helps identify those items you are most likely to have and which ones you are (again) most likely NOT to have. Confusing? Welcome to the club!

There are vehicles that "shouldn't" have certain features that yet, DO have them, and others that "should" yet do not. At least as far as their "model year" or "registered year", but what makes it worse, is that even closely sequenced VIN number vehicles will throw a solid whack into the linear assembly logic.....these vehicles weren't built in a linear fashion.

As mentioned in a different thread you started ("Warning dumb question...") they were built using "using modular production techniques", which makes a lot of sense once you start looking at the disparity of last/first vehicle with/without certain features. (i.e. obvious model changes such as hatch vents vs pillar vents, as opposed to metal / fiberglass sugar scoops)

So, go buy a lottery ticket and include me in the winnings (Cuz I suggested it).

Enrique

[Spridal]

Hehehe... I guess I count my blessings