CRG Discussion Forum

Camaro Research Group Discussion => Decoding/Numbers => Topic started by: Wazoo151 on April 21, 2006, 04:19:04 PM

Title: Mystery '67 Camaro Update - Title in hand!
Post by: Wazoo151 on April 21, 2006, 04:19:04 PM
For those that lent advice and were interested in my ongoing tale...

Up to now:  My '67 Camaro is missing both the title and the VIN, and I am trying to get both taken care of...

Former owner located a box of parts with the correct cowl tag, so that's good news.

I have been on the phone with countless state agency people in Texas trying to get the title issue resolved.  I researched everything I would have to do to get a "bonded" title, have the state issue a new VIN, etc.  So I had a cop friend of mine run the VIN against their databases, and the car came back clean with the VIN I suspected it was, so I tried the state, and they claim there are no records in their current database, but that they could be held on microfiche in Beaumont.  I call Beaumont, get the runaround about being authorized to obtain said information without filling out all the required forms.  Download forms, start to fill them all out, when I figure that I should call Beaumont DOT back to see if there are any records on fiche at all before I go requesting them. 

I get a very nice lady on the phone who verifies that the VIN is indeed correct (124 versus 123) and gives me the information of the last registered owner.  Hot damn. 

I finally track down the last registered owner of the car, and get her on the phone.  Yes, she owned a Camaro, yes, this color combination, options, etc.  She gave the car to her ex-husband (now dead), who traded it to the guy I bought it from.  I tell her that she can save me a world of hassle if she would request a new title and sign it over to me; I'll get the previous owner to verify my story, show her the BOS, etc. etc. - I'll even pay the fee.

She says, "I don't know if I want to get involved."

Argh.  I leave her my phone number, she says she'll discuss with her current husband and call me back.  So far, nothing.  So I figure I'll give it one more shot.  She seemed like a nice lady, so I won't bother her by phone - I am thinking of sending her pictures of the car, the day we brought it home, my family, me, the progress we've made on it (new side cowl, lower cowl, upper dash panel), fill out all the required forms for her, enclose a SASE for me, and throw in $10 to cover the fees.  Maybe she'll change her mind and help me out.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: rsatz28 on April 21, 2006, 04:28:07 PM
Keep trying.  Maybe send her a gift card to a store or Chile's etc. 
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: Buddy on April 21, 2006, 05:32:57 PM
Maybe she'll get the Title and come pick up her car.........ouch! :o

Buddy
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: lakeholme on April 21, 2006, 08:21:18 PM
Sounds to me like you are doing the right things.
All the things that mean something to Camaro lovers probably mean nothing to her.  Who knows, that car may have been part of what split them up!
Politeness, pictures of your family, etc. will probably get you farther.  And I really like ratz28's idea!
Her present husband --even if he is a car lover-- still may not be much help.  So, make sure the gift card will cover a big steak for him, too.
You've come up against the one obstacle that is probably worst than any state's tangle of red tape: The feelings this lady probably has toward a now deceased ex-husband.
Hell hath no fury... :o :o :o
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: Wazoo151 on April 23, 2006, 01:00:09 AM
Excellent suggestions - I have some gift cards from Pappas restaurants here in Houston that I will throw in the package.  I'm hoping that the cards plus a $20 to cover all the DOT fees will be sufficient to sway her to my cause.  I'll let y'all know how it turns out!

Robert
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: ogbean on April 23, 2006, 02:44:27 AM
Ahh... IMO the gift cars thing is a little "cheesy"... just send pica and a little of the story and she should help you out. Dont forget to mention how much the car means to ya ... just my 2
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: rsatz28 on April 23, 2006, 06:05:00 PM
Ahh... IMO the gift cars thing is a little "cheesy"... just send pica and a little of the story and she should help you out. Dont forget to mention how much the car means to ya ... just my 2

Remember, They may do it on their own time.  BTW, who says she should do it?
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: My68SS on April 28, 2006, 01:02:50 PM
I'm stunned that you were given previous owners details over the phone!!!   :o
Yeah keep it simple, pleasant and with the least fuss possible for them.
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: vr1967 on May 01, 2006, 09:53:07 PM
Wazoo,
 Not sure if it will work where you live, but I bought a pickup a few years back, with basically the same problem. My insurance company bonded it, and filed for a title in my name with my bill of sale.  Cost me $75.
 This is in Mississippi, so I don't know if other states will do this.

Just a thought.
Virgil
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: 67L48 on June 01, 2006, 10:06:08 PM
Any news on this soap opera?
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: Wazoo151 on June 06, 2006, 03:10:57 PM
Any news on this soap opera?

Funny you should mention it...

The previous registered owner ("The Camaro Lady"), called me two nights ago.  She apologized for taking so long to get back to me and thanked me for all the effort I had put into the packet I sent her.  She said that she had been sick and in and out of the hospital (!!), but that she had decided to help me.  She is going to have a friend look over what I sent (friend of her husband's) and if (s)he says it looks OK, will send me the title.  She even offered to refund the $20 I put in the packet to cover any costs she might incur, which I declined.  This leads me to believe that she may actually have the original title in-hand.

I was ecstatic, to say the least!  I really hope that she's doing better and her health is improving - all in all she sounded like a nice lady.

In the meantime, the car has gone out for some work.  She's getting a new upper dash panel, upper cowl, driver's cowl (the "D"-shaped panel with the "X"), floorboards, quarters, trunk, drops, inner and outer wheelwells, filler panel between the rear window and trunk, and taillight panel.  The shop also rebuilt the leading edge of the roof where it had rusted through.  I hadn't intended to do so much work right now, but this will put me way ahead of schedule (like I have a schedule!)

I am putting together a web page to chronicle the restoration.  I'll post a link when I get it running.

RCP
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update!
Post by: ogbean on June 06, 2006, 09:45:09 PM
Man its so glad to hear that you have gotten ONE MORE STEP... keep us informed
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update - Title in hand!
Post by: Wazoo151 on July 21, 2006, 01:48:54 PM
I had just about given up on the prior title-holder getting me the title, as it had been eight weeks and I hadn't heard anything. 

However, yesterday in the mail, the title arrived.  Camaro Lady had followed through!  I now have the signed title and will be transferring it to my name asap.  Then, finally, I can get the repro VIN for the car - hallelujah!

The car's still not back from the body shop; there were a couple of projects ahead of me in line.  However, I have been accumulating parts, such as a back seat, rear armrests, ash trays, center console with gauges (woo hoo!), A/C control panel, window trim all around, and a 3970010 "high nickel" 350 block.  This week I am ordering a steering rack, Wilwood front brakes, booster and master cylinder, and Hotchkis suspension components.  Progress!

Thanks to all who have been so helpful and supportive as I get her legal...

RCP
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update - Title in hand!
Post by: lakeholme on July 22, 2006, 08:15:32 AM
CONGRATULATIONS!  Most people in the end are decent and will do the right things.  And your patience and hard work paid off.
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update - Title in hand!
Post by: rich69rs on July 22, 2006, 08:54:02 PM
AMEN! Hot Damn and Congratulations!!
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update - Title in hand!
Post by: Rich on July 24, 2006, 05:30:01 PM
I'd send her some flowers.  Seriously...
Title: Re: Mystery '67 Camaro Update - Title in hand!
Post by: Wazoo151 on July 25, 2006, 01:11:54 PM
I  just might do that!  i would like to pick her brain a little more about the history of the car and learn more about its story.

One bright spot about all of this headache is that next time I see some poor new Camaro owner post about "help! need to get title!" I'll be in a great position to help.

RCP