I'm very lucky compared to a lot of C2 owners; I know my 67's ownership history back to 1969. I also have the name of the selling dealer, which is still in business. Dealer has been no help, won't even return calls. I can only assume that the owner in 1969 was probably the second owner; he's been dead many years and I can't locate any family. It looks like the end of the trail. Should I move on or keep trying? I really don't know what else I can try.
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
I sure would never give up. I can say the dealer will probably be not much help. The only way you might get some help is if the owner from the day is still around, or maybe an old technician or office worker. Too bad they won't even return a phone call.
You might get lucky and find someone, somwhere who might be able to provide some clues. It's always a long shot and often frustrating, but the hunt is what is fun. I vote, DON"T GIVE UP !
Tom Hendricks
Proud Member NCRS #23758
NCM Founding Member # 1143
Corvette Department Manager and
Specialist for 27 years at BUDS Chevrolet.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Thanks, Tom and Joe. I think it's obvious I don't want to give up, but it's been a long time since I've uncovered anything new. The NCRS Delivery Info allowed me to locate the selling dealer, and that got me excited again. Joe, the dealer is in Indiana, pretty far from me (in in Mississippi). I really don't think a visit is justified since they don't ever return my calls.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Larry:
Since you have the name of the 2nd owner and likely an address, I would search the county records for his name on any documents including probate court. I found the original owner's family (son) on my 67 by reading all docs. The original owner had died in the 70's. I found his son's name on one that said "send copy to". The address was no good after so many years but after some phone calls I found him. He gave me great information about the car and even spoke to his 80+ year old mother that told me she was the one that drove the car most of the time. Never give up.
Bob
PS: This all after a previous owner had compiled incredible history on the car except for finding the original ownerComment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Thank you, Bob. I wish I were as lucky as you about probate court, etc., but my second owner just seemed to disappear from the earth. No probate, no obit, no nothing.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
One person that can help you at a dealership is the title clerk..call them and ask talk to that person..if there is any info on that car this person would be one of the few that would know anything..or where it might be if at all.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Run a classified ad in the local paper.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Larry,
Have you tried reading the posts on the Dealer Information Search board here? There are lots of tips for further digging.
Good luck and may the force be with you!
JoeComment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Have you contacted the local Corvette Club? There are usually some older members still around, and they may remember the car, or the owner.
George
31887Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Larry,
get on the web, you can buy the obit info and relatives and go from there, relatively cheap too.
Never give up.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Larry, what part of Indiana? I am in Indianapolis and use several of the local dealers. If you have a dealer I can try to find a contact for you. FYI after 32 years I found the salesman who sold us our 1976 at a Detroit dealership so I can tell you that sometimes you get lucky. Let me know if I can help.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Have you tried the DMV in the state that sold the car new. Some states (including Georgia) will furnish title histories for a small fee upon proof of current ownership. Some states purge their records and don't have the information (like Texas where one of my searches hit a dead end). It's at least worth a phone call to the DMV there.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Larry, what part of Indiana? I am in Indianapolis and use several of the local dealers. If you have a dealer I can try to find a contact for you. FYI after 32 years I found the salesman who sold us our 1976 at a Detroit dealership so I can tell you that sometimes you get lucky. Let me know if I can help.Comment
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Re: Should I be satisfied with my owner history?
Even if you think you are at a dead end, there are other items you can find. I listed my fuelie on ebay to ease my wifes concern prior to our second childs birth. that one time 7 day ad introduced me to the owner that sold her to the person I purchased from which led me to the shop he purchased from that was hired to prep her for a Duntov award. The info from Ron at his shop in Mass was priceless. Since my pop plate has the dealership name I searched its history and found pictures as well as orig Toledo Blade ads which gave me the names of the sales people in 1965. Last month I searched Jim White Chevrolet on ebay just for fun and there was a match book cover in pristine condition with a view of the dealership ($3.95) how cool. On another note, I purchased a 91 B4C camaro, found the orig owners name in a faded pic, googled his name past midnight and on my last call to Georgia I found him and two weeks later recieved the orig laminated window sticker and pics of the camaro since new! BE CREATIVE AND NEVER QUIT! GOOD LUCK TEDComment
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