Tracing Car History
 

There has been some discussion on another thread here about documents. So I am looking for some help. I have traced the owners of my car back to 1980. I have been fortunate enough to talk to all of them, and have even received photos from 1985. Heres the problem. At 1980 the trail runs dry. I have a name but that's it I know the car was sold in Monterey from Roller chevy. I have tried a California vin search on the web but site seems to only accept more contemporary vins.

Does anyone know how I can trace ownership further back. I thought california kept pretty good records because the plates follow the car. The car was in california from when it was born until Dec 2007.

Any Help???

Thanks

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Re: Tracing Car History
 

The best method is to obtain the DMV form for title history, and send it in. Each state is different, but many still release prior owner information. I've never tried CA, but I hear it's one of the more difficult states to deal with.

Many people will tell you that the Privacy Act of '96 prevents the states from releasing any type of info. That is not true. Many states simply want you to declare your intention/motive behind the request, and some states require the form to be notorized. While a few states will release any/all info, the majority will take a black marker to the personal info. However, there is still much info to be learned, so it's worth the try.

Re: Tracing Car History
 

Thanks Marlin,

I have a friend out there I'll drop him a line.

Can anyone out in California add any additional info???

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Re: Tracing Car History
 

Carl, I used Cal DMV form "INF 70R", its a request for "VR" or vessel record information. Fill it out carefully, it was just $5.00....it kicked me out info on my 1969 L89 Corvette back to 1982, it gives names but not addresses, but thats e-z to get around with google or yahoo people search....if thats fails there are plenty of skip tracers to hire. I like to go low cost when I can. Good luck, Alec

Re: Tracing Car History
 

I've owned my car since 1990 and I finally sent in INF 70 in 2006 and what I got back was mostly my registration information. The one item that I haven't figured out is the 1979 "PREV LIC VBHEWH". I still need to call to see what that means but I do know it has the blue plates that were probably issued in 1979. This car was originally sold in CA.

Re: Tracing Car History
 

I'm gonna try the forms listed above. i hope it sheds some light on my car too.

Carl...a longshot but is the car you bought from Ca a red '69 SS 396 Chevelle conv? If it is, I know where the son of the original owner works and I've seen the original window sticker 10 years ago. If it's the same car?

Re: Tracing Car History
 

No it's a 70 Z28, It may have been a car used by someone at the dealer or a family member, One of the old registration papers lists the original license date in october of 1970, but the car was built the end of may????????????

Anyway, I downloaded the form it downloads as two sheets,looks like a multiple use form, seems pretty confusing, i'm going to go back thru it over the week end. looks like section D is the one you need to think about a little bit.

Thanks for the help let me know how you filled out section "D" when you get it done.

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Re: Tracing Car History
 

If the DMV form has a usage option known generically as 'Research Activities' - choose that one.

Re: Tracing Car History
 

It has a section for which a write in answer is required

"Purpose of request"

Then it says see instructions permissible use of DMV record information

The instructions are not on the form so I assume there back on the web site somewhere

Re: Tracing Car History
 

Correct. You will need to choose an option from the available list, which might include 'other'. If one of the options is 'research' or something equivalent, choose it. Try to stay away from 'other', it's a nice way to start a ping-pong match with the DMV.