CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: hotrod68 on March 26, 2008, 03:47:14 AM

Title: Title search
Post by: hotrod68 on March 26, 2008, 03:47:14 AM
I'd like to research the history of my '68 and see how many times the title has changed hands and perhaps track down the previous owners and where it was originally sold new. I've had the car since 1983 but it came with no documentation at all beyond a clear title. Can someone advise me about how to begin this process, and what it might entail? I read in magazines like Hemmings how cars have been documented, but there is no information on how it was done. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Barry
Title: Re: Title search
Post by: rich69rs on March 26, 2008, 03:53:45 AM
When I bought my '69 RS back in Nov 1991, it was a pretty straight forward process.  You began with the current title which had the previous owner on it and you could request back through the state's DMV for a copy of any previous titles.  You could do this back across state lines until you got to a point where the records were no longer available.  I purchased my car in Baton Rouge, LA, traced it back through an owner in Mississippi and back to an owner in Pennsylvania in 1983.  At that point the trail went cold - Penn. DMV couldn't go any further back.

Today, due to changes in privacy laws, etc., most, if not all DMV's can't or are very reluctant to even look.  It is much more difficult today.  Law enforcement and insurance entities also have some sources, but usually won't share those with you either.  For example, I know a guy who through a law enforcement contact was able to obtain nformation as to where his '67 427cid/435hp tri power 'Vette was originally sold - dealership in Illinois as I recall.
Title: Re: Title search
Post by: lakeholme on March 26, 2008, 01:25:37 PM
Hotrod,

So, I'm assuming your title from 1983 is an NC title, right?  If your NC title shows it came from out of state, go to that state first.  They will have some sort of inquiry department.  You need a title history.  And yes, they will have privacy laws.  My NC title led me to Florida.  They actually had an inquiry form.  (Never found that in NCDMV site.  I'd start at the Mebane NCDMV office, if you think there was pre-83 NC titling.)  In all my phone calls and letters, I politely stated that it was for a classic car restoration and my real purpose was to find the original dealership to inquire about original documentation.  Florida only got me back into the early 90s with their records.  That did give me the next Florida owner (2nd owner) and he led me to the family of the original owner (He was deceased.) Naturally, they had nothing.  But between the first two owners I did find the original dealership.  Again, they don't keep those records.  Yet, now I have a book full of letters, a fairly accurate description of the car as bought and pictures, and a complete description of the restoration done in the 90s and pictures (with some really bad cloning).  Not a factory documentation, but I do know the complete history of ownership and met some great Camaro owners along the way.  The original owner's daughter drove it through high school and college.  And oh yes, since my NC title doesn't verify mileage (on a car over 25 years old), in checking the title history, I have Florida verification that shows the first NC owner drove it only 300 miles in the year he owned it.  I now have the satisfaction of knowing the odometer is right.

I think the whole process cost me $4 with Florida (fee was $10, but this firm, but very polite lady in their records office sent me a $6 refund when the records didn't go so far back), postage, etc. on four letters, and three cell phone calls.  Be polite.  Be persistent.

BTW, NC is really cracking down on titling out of state classic cars.  There's supposed to be an inspection and the whole bit.  Hornet's Nest AACA and others are concerned about the effort involved.  But I think in the long run it will cut down on stolen cars and fraudulent sales.


From NCDMV title manual:

"Inquiry/Police Network/External Inquiry displays titling, registration, correspondence,
and fiscal information. Access to portions of the information is restricted to STARS
clerks, specific branches only, or to Headquarters staff. Other government agencies can
obtain title and registration information. General inquiry shows current title and
registration information, addresses, owner and lessee names, prior plate information for
the current owner, and title history. Placards, customer plates, correspondence, plate
history, fee forecast, and all fiscal information is available to STARS clerks only.

Imaging stores and retrieves vehicle title and registration source documents for future
reference."
Title: Re: Title search
Post by: tim69camaro on March 26, 2008, 11:33:16 PM
I live in North Carolina. Here is the link to form 605     http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/forms/vehicleregistration/download/mvr605a.pdf

I mailed this in a got a complete NC history. Great information and well worth the small fee. Unfortunately my car was in South Carolina before and they sent me nothing when I made my request. They cash did my check ???.
Title: Re: Title search
Post by: 69z28302 on March 26, 2008, 11:53:08 PM
Can this complete title history process be done in Ohio?

Mike
Title: Re: Title search
Post by: hotrod68 on March 29, 2008, 03:00:16 AM
Thanks, guys!