Finding Owner History

[Robert B.]

I purchased a 1970 convertible with a 454 engine 2 yrs ago. It had been sitting in a garage for 18 yrs only driven about once a month. The widow I purchased it from knew nothing about about her husbands car. She did know her husband was the second owner making me the 3rd.

I went to the Sec. of State office today and got the forms for past owner history, but clerk said they may not give me the info I'm looking for. I would like to find out who the first owner was, and when the second owner purchased the car.

Does anyone have a BETTER IDEA on how to get this info?

The car was made in late July 1970 and delivered to Gene Merollis Cherolet in Garden City I assume around Aug. or Sept. 1970. I think Merollis is gone, but I'm checking that out.

Thanks for your help

Bob

[Jim T.]

Re: Finding Owner History

The owner you bought from, stay in touch, she may find some paperwork on the car that her husband filed away. Give her a card to where she can contact you if she finds something. What about the POP? Did you get it with the owners manual in the plastic bag, and the knock-outs for the keys? If my wife sold my car, she would have to do a scavanger hunt to find the things to go with my original owner car. My POP is with the owners manual, but not in the original plastic bag which is in a different location.
Congratulations on finding a 70 454 that was garaged for a lot of years.

[Anthony S.]

Re: Finding Owner History

Bob,

I had some luck using www.government-records.com


Tony

[Stuart F.]

Re: Finding Owner History

I'm the original qwner of my 63, but my wife would still have trouble locating all the paper work that should go with my car. Heck, even I have trouble. But slowly but surely I am trying to rectify that. I made some progress over the past few months simple by having need for some specific item and I went looking for it. This forum helps because I tend to shoot off my old mouth and then someone prompts me to verify what I've said. Sorry to interject this drival, but I think we all need to get our house in order to make it easier on our survivors and ensure they don't get ripped off or taken advantage of. We're dealing with what amounts to capital equipment here now, not just an old car.

Stu fox

[Jack H.]

Re: Finding Owner History

You could be hurting here... The Michigan motor vehicle data base has LONG been limited to record retention for a rolling period of 8-10 years. Even IF you have full access to the data base, older records simply don't exist!

[Pat M.]

Finding Owner History

I found the previous owners of my car by doing a DMV title history search from the state in which it was first titled. And they last owned the car in the early 80s, so despite what some DMVs claim, some do keep records for quite a long time.
It's also VERY important to remain friendly with the past owners you now know of, and keep them updated on what's going on with the car, which makes them still feel connected to it. I do this with my previous owners, and they constantly give me little tidbits on the car's history. This rapport also led to the second owners sending me my car's complete, original owner's packet they found last Thanksgiving!

[Robert B.]

Re: Finding Owner History

Good Day Pat

Thanks for the helpful tip of staying in contact with the past owners. I was very discouraged when my owners wife said she knew nothing about her husbands car. However, sure sounds like you benefited from your advise, and I'm now going to get back in touch with her maybe she will come up with something on my car. Thanks again

I found the previous owners of my car by doing a DMV title history search from the state in which it was first titled. And they last owned the car in the early 80s, so despite what some DMVs claim, some do keep records for quite a long time.
It's also VERY important to remain friendly with the past owners you now know of, and keep them updated on what's going on with the car, which makes them still feel connected to it. I do this with my previous owners, and they constantly give me little tidbits on the car's history. This rapport also led to the second owners sending me my car's complete, original owner's packet they found last Thanksgiving!

[Robert B.]

Re: Finding Owner History

Good Day Jack

I called the state after I picked up the form, and you are right they told me the same thing. Looks like I have got to try something else. Thanks

Bob

You could be hurting here... The Michigan motor vehicle data base has LONG been limited to record retention for a rolling period of 8-10 years. Even IF you have full access to the data base, older records simply don't exist!

[Pat M.]

Re: Finding Owner History

My pleasure Robert. It's amazing what former owners can remember when the car is on their minds again.
A lot of people used these cars as daily drivers, and have fond memories of significant events in their lives while they owned them. I have pictures of my past owners proudly in my car when it was 1 month old, going off to their honeymoon, children in the car, etc.
Thinking again about these pleasant events inevitably leds to people recalling details about the car they thought they'd forgotten. And then if they happen to run across some documentation, they're much more likely to send it to you.
I'd definitely stay in touch with your former owner. Assuming she has it, I've found that email is an ideal, nonintrusive way to ask for info, send pictures, tell her about the restoration, awards, etc., and will allow her to respond when and if she chooses to.
Good luck, and don't give up!

[Stephen B.]

Re: Finding Owner History

I've performed a title search on my '70 LT-1, sent a letter to all of the owners, and one called me back. He owned the car in the early 1980's and told me that the owner before him is in the Florida Pen for murder. Sure enough, I found his picture on a Florida Correctional web-site.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Finding Owner History

As a florida resident interested in our local Law Enforcement efforts, I consider it my duty as an NCRS member to inform you that the authorities are still watching your car. Seems this guy is appealing his conviction on the basis of some evidence that could still remain in that car. Check your seat covers.

JUST KIDDING!

Enjoy it. However, don't look for much of any history input about the car from that dude.

Stu Fox

[Stephen B.]

Re: Finding Owner History

Lolol. You are funny Stuart!!! Considering the fact that I purchased the car literally in boxes, it would be hard to tell what was there when he owned it. lolol. The fellow did own a junkyard, and the police excavated several feet deep to find the body.

[Rick S.]

Re: Finding Owner History

Bob,
I think Gene Merollis Chev is still open but in East Detroit or aka EastPointe, Mi not Garden City. If you have your POP, use that info in an attempt to track down the original owner. That is what I did to find the original owner of my 67 in a detailed internet search as I have a typo trim tag, which is a whole another story.

Rick

[Tom M.]

Re: Finding Owner History

Yes i have found keeping in touch with past owners is good ,
A guy just called me to say he found some old pictures of my 69 car ,he is the second owner , he bought the car from the original owner back in 77

that is a nice find

[Tom M.]

Re: Finding Owner History

Yes i have found keeping in touch with past owners is good ,
A guy just called me to say he found some old pictures of my 69 car ,he is the second owner , he bought the car from the original owner back in 77

that is a nice find

picture from 2nd owner taken in 1977 in CA