Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

Very cool! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

M how is the car coming? Have you started the resto yet?

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

Yea, I got started on it over the winter, mainly pulled the rear and springs and scraped the undercoating off of the entire underside. What a pain to remove, but very nice metal underneath. I installed those pesky trunklid bars, and am mocking up the console hump. Then switched gears to get the Yenko Deuce buttoned back up for the season! The '69 project will take several more years, but any progress is good progress - plus Benjamin already calls it 'his gween wace carr' https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

[ QUOTE ]
Well, after almost two years of research, & 4 title searches, the ownership history has taken a twist! I was informed by all prior owners that a particular person named Elmo (deceased) in Maryland was the original owner of this '69 SS Nova. I was continueing my research to determine the original selling dealership.

After receiving the lastest title search results, I have found out that Elmo was not the original owner, nor did the car sell new in Maryland! Elmo's dad Elmer was the first person in Maryland to own this Nova, purchasing it from Sunderland Chev. in Baltimore on 8-17-70. Elmer 'gifted' the car to his son Elmo on 5-19-75, although it is known that the son drove the car since '70.

According to the search results, this Nova came from PA! The build date of the car is Feb. 1st week, and the original PA title date is Feb. 28, 1969. The title that was transferred from PA to MD has 'National Bank & Trust Co' as the owner, possibly indicating that the was traded in or repo'd as there are no liens listed on it. So, my search continues to find the original dealership in PA - unfortunately, PA does not have nearly the title info that MD does, but you never know what you can turn up https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Another year, and a couple more title searches done on this car. PA has nothing but the bank title info, same as I got from MD.

I noticed on one sheet from a prior MD title search, that had an overlapping corner of another sheet, that I didn't get all of the sheets of info. So, a few months ago I wrote a nice note, and copied the suspect sheet - asking for a complete copy. What they sent was excellent!

Sunderland Chev. was not in Sunderland, MD like I assumed - but rather in Lemoyne, PA. This Sunderland Chev. received the reasigned title from the Bank in Harrisburg, and within days reasigned it to Norm Griffith's Auto Sales in Baltimore - (possibly a subsidiary?). So, now I know how the car made it's way from PA to MD, and where the first MD owner purchased it from = Norm Griffith's.

Now, I need to find out who had this car from 2/28/69 till the bank acquired it on 7/8/70.

The search continues, but I have a hunch that the original dealership may have indeed been Sunderland Chev.

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

Marlin,If you have a handful of names give ZabaSearch.com a try, I have been able to locate two previous owners to my car(and it's free).Good Luck https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif John

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

Good idea, I will give it a try - thanks https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

This might be the final nail in the coffin! After a few more title info request to the PA DMV, they have replied that the first owner info is unavailable due to a system error. A few phone calls netted nothing except a dazed response that some records were lost. So, it appears that I've exhausted the DMV's, and am now chasing people leads - apparently Bill Miller of Carlisle Events worked at Sunderland for several years.

I'm going with Sunderland Chevrolet as the original dealer. There is a Sunderland Chevrolet in Jerseyville, IL, and I stopped by on my way to SCR8 to pick up some dealer decals - just have to cut off the Jerseyville portion https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Now, If I could just find those original seats - so I could pull out that broadcast sheet https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/naughty.gif

Added pic!

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

Lifted the tailgate of a '69 El Camino in a junk yard on Saturday, and to my utter amazement there was a 'Sunderland' emblem staring back at me https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/shocked.gif

It was very brittle after all these years, but hey - one exists https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

Spoke to the nephew of the first MD buyer last week, he was with Elmo when he test drove the Nova in Baltimore back in August of '70. He tells me that it was an L78, but does not believe that they have any pictures of the engine. He reports that Elmo had the engine completely redone at the House of Speed in Baltimore, and soon after had 4.56's put in the rear - no wonder the car was parked in '72 from too many tickets https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Apparently, the car is a rally wheel car, not the XT version I thought/hoping for. For now, I'll keep the XT look going - since that's my favorite look, but will eventually put the rally's on it.

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

Marlin it was called the "house of balance"they were right next to the speed shop....They did a few mtrs for me back in the 80,s https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: 69 SS nova big block car ????
 

In Baltimore?