Need Advice after Receiving NCRS Shipping Data Report

[Clark K.]

When I bought my rare-optioned (Red/red, L76, A/C) '65 Coupe two years ago from ProTeam, I received almost nothing in regard to provenance on the car. Last year I hired a NCRS advertiser, Auto Ancestry, to research the car's history. Due to a non-responsive former owner, the researcher could only take my car's ownership history back to 1978. That left a big gap for the car's first 13 years, including the selling dealer's name and location.

When I heard the news that NCRS was going to supply a service that might give a car owner the build date and the dealer the car went to, I jumped on it. I just received my NCRS "Shipping Data Report". For the first time, I now know the original selling dealer of my '65 Coupe. The car was shipped to Smith Motor Sales in San Antonio, Texas! So, the car has finally returned home to Texas (I live in Arlington, TX).

In searching the web about Smith Motor Sales, I discovered that they were bought by Freedom Chevrolet at an unknown date. What advice can you give me as to the best approach with that dealer to find out if they have any file/history of my car? -Clark

[Ken P.]

Re: Need Advice after Receiving NCRS Shipping Data Report

Just give them a call and tell them what you want. BUT I warn you most dealers dump their records every 10 years. Since the dealership changed hand might be a problem. Good luck on your search.

[Tracy C.]

Re: Need Advice after Receiving NCRS Shipping Data Report

If I were you, I would get on my horse and ride down there with 5 Benjamins in my pocket. Find the blue haired lady in the business office and tell her she can have the cash if she can provide a copy of any records they might still have on your VIN number.

Phone calls are a slow train to nowhere.

tc

[Jack L.]

Re: Need Advice after Receiving NCRS Shipping Data Report

I am in the midst of a similar search for my 65 Fuelie. I'm an ex-drag racer and hot rod guy. I called a couple of my old hot rod buddies and drag racers in the area where the earliest known owner of my car lived. They gave me names of several shops in the area that did mechanical and fiberglass repair on Vettes back in the 60's and early 70's. I'm currently in the process of contacting all of them.

Remember, once a gear head, always a gear head. These guys might not remember their anniversary but I bet everyone of them over 55 remembers the name of the guy who bought the first 63 split window or big block vette in town. I know I do. I was 14 and I was hooked the first time he dumped the clutch!

Don't get too frustrated, someone out there remembers that car!
good hunting!

Jack Linden

[Michael J.]

Re: Need Advice after Receiving NCRS Shipping Data Report

Yes, good luck on your search. It is a crap shoot. I had one of my cars, a '67 L71 red coupe, that was delivered in Great Falls, Montana. Since the dealership was still in the same place with the same owner family, and the car was a super rare and special one in a very small town, the little old lady clerk scenario was successful. Everyone it seems remembered that car and the story. My other 'Vette, a '66 L79 was impossible to find anything on since most everything about it was the opposite. But good luck.