*** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

[Blair K.]

Hello all.

Looking for suggestions on how to find out the early history of my 1968 L36 convertible. Already know the original selling dealership and previous owners up to the mid 1980s'. That is where I hit the wall - dead end - trail goes cold. Would love to find out who was the original owner. Who knows - they might still have some paperwork, documents or old photos of the car. Is there still someone who still does vehicle history searches?? As the years goes by - time is slowly running out. Your help/suggestions greatly appreciated. Regards, Blair K.

[Bob R.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

It is possible to locate the original owner but you have to work at it. I was able to locate the original owner of my 63 but it took me a couple of years. There are several things you can try, sometimes the registry will release information on the owners in my case they wouldn't. I kept looking for information on the dealership which had been closed for many years, I did google searches using the dealership name, I contacted the local historical society, did searches of old newspapers looking for dealership information. I was lucky the dealership was a very small family owner business and by searching the family name in the town where the dealership was located I was able to locate the daughter of the owner. Although she didn't have any information on my car she was able to give me names of old employees/friends who were at the dealership at the time my car was sold. One of the friends remembered my car and was able to lead me to the son of the original owner (the owner had passed away). It takes time and a little luck.

[Dick W.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

I am not sure that William Gould, a poster on this forum, still does searches. He is/was good at his trade. Try contacting him through a private message

[Blair K.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

It is possible to locate the original owner but you have to work at it. I was able to locate the original owner of my 63 but it took me a couple of years. There are several things you can try, sometimes the registry will release information on the owners in my case they wouldn't. I kept looking for information on the dealership which had been closed for many years, I did google searches using the dealership name, I contacted the local historical society, did searches of old newspapers looking for dealership information. I was lucky the dealership was a very small family owner business and by searching the family name in the town where the dealership was located I was able to locate the daughter of the owner. Although she didn't have any information on my car she was able to give me names of old employees/friends who were at the dealership at the time my car was sold. One of the friends remembered my car and was able to lead me to the son of the original owner (the owner had passed away). It takes time and a little luck.

Hello Bob. Thank - you for replying to my post - much appreciated. Baker Chevrolet Inc in Gary, Indiana was closed in the early 1970s'. A search on Google Maps now shows an empty lot where the dealership once stood. I was able to obtain an old photo of the dealership back in the day. I did contact the local library and was sent some copies of Baker Chev's ads from the old telephone books. Also was contacted awhile back by a former employee in the body shop. A few years ago - I made contact with a tire shop located next door to the dealership - they are still in business today and did remember Baker Chev Inc. My greatest wish would be to find out more of the owners from original to the mid 1980s'.

[Blair K.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

I am not sure that William Gould, a poster on this forum, still does searches. He is/was good at his trade. Try contacting him through a private message

Hello Dick. Thank - you for your suggestion. I thought William Gould had retired from this activity of searching. Not sure if I want to bother him in his retirement. I wish I would have used his services when he was active in the game of investigation of vehicle history (Auto Ancestry).

Regards, Blair K.

[Bob D.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

Blair

Bill Gould has retired. I referred several folks to him and he let me know he called it quits.

Bob

[Blair K.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

Blair

Bill Gould has retired. I referred several folks to him and he let me know he called it quits.

Bob

Thanks, Bob for confirming that Mr. Gould has retired. I kind of figured he was done when his Auto Ancestry website was deleted on the web. I was not even thinking of contacting him about searching my vehicle's history. I wish him and his family all the best in the next chapter of their lives. My search continues...…..

[Wayne H.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

Blair have you had any luck since your last post concerning finding the previous owners of your car? I'm trying to find the previous owners of my 67 and as you are aware its not easy. Please share any tips you may have, I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks

[Thomas B.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

My best lead came from a local car club in the small town where the SDR says my car was shipped to. Got me in touch with some key employees from the dealership who still live there.

Also sent in vehicle history requests into DMV's.

I subscribed to newspapers.com to search for info on the dealership and people in the area and classified car ads. One car ad from 1978 got me in touch with a former dealership employee who still lived in the town and had still had the same land line phone number.

Subscribed to whitepages.com to search for people living the area and phone numbers.

The local library has a geneology department which provided info on local people and dealership history. Also has a local newspaper on microfiche.

Did an internet search and found an auto repair shop in town which had been in business since the late 70's. Got a contact on a former dealership from the owner.

To date I've not gotten solid evidence that the car even existed in the town. Much time has gone by and memories fade away. The original owner is probably deceased by now. I have verifed that any old dealership records are no longer in existence though. That's worth knowing. I'll probably keep searching a bit since i now have some good contacts in the area.

Hope this helps and is not too discouraging. Every car has a different history. You may be luckier than me.

[Wayne H.]

Re: *** Suggestions needed for finding previous owner(s) of my 1968 L36 ***

Thank you very much Thomas for the tips. Its definitely not an easy task. You are correct as time goes by people forget or pass.
Thanks again