After 40 Years, The Datsun Title Is In My Name.

Saturday the title for the Datsun arrived from DMV.

“Wait a minute; I know DMVs can be slow but 40 years?”

There is a bit more to it than that; part of the time is the fact that I’ve procrastinated for at least 20 years.

A high school friend bought the car in 1984 and drive it for about a year. After which I bought it for $270 with my initial thinking being I’d load my little Honda 125GP race bike on the back.

After thinking about it overnight I realized a mini pick up would be a much better solution and I sold it to my pal Jim.

By 1989 I had realized that I lacked three things to be 125 World Champion; money, dedication and talent (albeit not necessarily in that order) so Jim suggested we prep the Datsun for some low-key local SCCA racing.

In 1991 I bought a house and the Datsun was parked in my garage.

In 1998 we bought a bigger house, I now had two other races cars, a Showroom Stock Miata and a D-Sports Racer, and so I foolishly sold the Datsun. By this time Jim given up any interest in the car and so he didn’t care.

In 2001 I got the Datsun back after selling the D-Sports racer.

Circa 2005 Jim signed the title over to me. Naturally I never bothered to get the title in my name; truth be told I was a little guilty that I’d co-opted the car from Jim for so many years and as it was a race car there seemed no need.

Jim passed away two years ago aged 63; he hadn’t really looked after himself well (diabetes is no joke) and so the sentimental value of the car has increased tenfold.

 Flash forward to six weeks ago and I decided I should get transport insurance for the little 1200. Well during my conversation with Hagerty Insurance (they insure my Foxbody Mustang) I realized I’d need the title in my name.

Fortunately I’d already had an appoint with DMV to renew the Mustang’s registration so I brought the title with me. The nice lady at DMV was shocked to see the 40 year old issue date on the title. I gave her the short version of the backstory but this actually didn’t matter as the title had been signed.

It’s an odd feeling that a little piece of paper for a mundane little car matters to me as much as it does. I almost feel like I should frame the title. Instead, it will be unceremoniously locked away with various other legal documents. 40 years from now whoever possesses that simply piece of paper will likely have little knowledge of the story behind it and how much it means to me.

Of course this is the way of things but it would be fun to think that title might be up on a wall some day displayed for all to see but alas that is nothing more than fanciful thinking from a chaotic mind.

You are not the only one, my 305 Dream went with the original title to a friend.  That title was first my uncle Jim's then my dad's, I never titled it.  It is now getting restored and still has the original title with it.

I don't have anymore of my dad's cars but my garage is full of his tools and memories.  

In reply to akylekoz :

I have bikes and tools from my friend as well. When his Dad past he gave a bunch of his Father's motorcycle books.

Tom1200 said:

 

Fortunately I’d already had an appoint with DMV to renew the Mustang’s registration so I brought the title with me. The nice lady at DMV was shocked to see the 40 year old issue date on the title. I gave her the short version of the backstory but this actually didn’t matter as the title had been signed.

Did she charge you any back fees ?  

There is  a car in the yard next door and I checked DMV and there is $950 back fees  on it !

californiamilleghia said:

Tom1200 said:

 

Fortunately I’d already had an appoint with DMV to renew the Mustang’s registration so I brought the title with me. The nice lady at DMV was shocked to see the 40 year old issue date on the title. I gave her the short version of the backstory but this actually didn’t matter as the title had been signed.

Did she charge you any back fees ?  

There is  a car in the yard next door and I checked DMV and there is $950 back fees  on it !

Ummm, what are back fees?

In Ohio, if you don't transfer the title within 30 days, there is a late fee of $10. It doesn't matter if it's 1 day late or 40 years late, it's still $10.

Fortunately in Nevada we don't have any such fees.

dculberson said:

In Ohio, if you don't transfer the title within 30 days, there is a late fee of $10. It doesn't matter if it's 1 day late or 40 years late, it's still $10.

In illinois if you are late on registration you need to pay the previous year. Unless you're more than a year late. In that case you just need completely new plates. My wife forgot for nearly a year and we were on the fence about waiting another month just to avoid the back year. weird.

Continue to drive it like you stole it.

L5wolvesf said:

Continue to drive it like you stole it.

I always will...........in my mind it's still that $270 car.