Corvette search

[D S.]

A future NCRS member is trying to locate a 1970 Corvette his father once owned in hopes of locating and buying the car. If anyone is familiar with the process he needs to follow it would be appreciated. After I encouraged him to join the NCRS and referred him to this board he logged on as a guest and was quite impressed with what he saw in the threads and posts. Here is the email he sent me:

"My dad hauled it from Virginia Beach to Canada in 1985 and restored it for my mom. From what I have been able to learn thus far the original engine was broken and did not come to Canada with the car. I spoke with Vintage Vehicle Services Canada which helped me to track down where the present engine came from (1976 Monte Carlo with 3,200 original kms) and have obtained a form from them to fill out and send in for an enquiry but I'm thinking the car was most likely sold in the USA and I understand that Canada Vintage Services will not have any records for it if so. Am I on the right track with that?"

Thanks,
Scott

[Norm B.]

Re: Corvette search

Scott,

Was it registered in Ontario? If it is still in Ontario and he has the VIN # all he has to do is go to an MTO (Ministry of Transportation) office or kiosk an get a Used Vehicle Information Package (U.V.I.P.). This is required in Ontario to sell a vehicle privately. Even though he is not selling the car he can still get this and it will list previous owners by name and the municipality they were in when they bought it, current owner with address I think, and whether or not there are any liens on the car. Cost is $20.

He must have either the VIN # OR the tag # to do this. I doubt he would have a tag number so without the VIN # he is out of luck. Can't help you with other provinces.

It's scary, anyone with your tag number and $20 can basically find out where you live, or at least where your vehicle is registered to.

Norm

[D S.]

Re: Corvette search

Thanks, Norm. If it ended up back being registered in the States does each state have a different search method? Is there a national search site to start with and then narrow down to a state?

[Norm B.]

Re: Corvette search

Scott,

Sorry, don't know the answer to that. I am in Ontario and have only done searches here.

Norm

[William G.]

Re: Corvette search

I believe that there is not a national database in the USA that is available to the public. You will have to contact the individual states. Each state keeps records differently. I recently purchased my 66 roadster in Texas and had it shipped to Massachusetts. I sent a written request to the DMV in Texas along with a check for $5. They sent me an envelope 1/2" thick with the last 5 owners going back over 20 years. I think you will have to have an idea where the car went after it left Canada. Of course, if you want to find it badly enough you could always send a number of requests out. Good Luck!